General Admission Requirements

All applicants to the Academy must:

1. Meet with the program’s admission advisor to review all required disclosures and receive complete information before enrolling with Gurnick Academy of Medical Arts.
2. Meet with a financial aid advisor to review all required disclosures and receive complete information before enrolling with Gurnick Academy of Medical Arts.
   • This requirement does not apply to non-financial aid programs or courses.
3. According to the current published fee schedule, please pay all applicable fees before an enrollment agreement is issued or before other payment arrangements acceptable to the Academy are made.
4. Possess an Official High School Transcript from an approved/accredited high school or equivalent.
   • Please ask an admission advisor for more details and refer to the Foreign Transcript/Degree Evaluation Policy.
5. Be at least 18 years of age to enroll in a core program. (Official ID is required.)
   • Some programs may allow enrollment at the age of 17. Please refer to the program-specific admission requirements for details.
6. Proof of residency.
7. Complete the entrance exam with the minimum required score outlined in the Admission Requirements Summary table. All programs utilize the Criteria Cognitive Aptitude Test (CCAT) with a minimum entrance exam score unless specified in the table above. 
8. Complete the Online Application consisting of the following documents:
   • Online Application
   • New Student Questionnaire
   • Distance Education Questionnaire
   • Academic Integrity Statement
   • Consent to Receive Electronic Communications
9. Comply with all Gurnick Academy of Medical Arts requirements for Immunizations, Health Screening, Background Checks, and CPR/First Aid policy. Documentation of these requirements must be submitted before clinical rotations, as determined by the program.
10. Comply with the program’s performance requirements.
    • Please read each program’s performance requirements in the Program Performance Requirements section.
11. Comply with the Additional Admission Requirements for each program.
    • Please review this section for the applicable program.
12. Meet the minimum student skills, hardware, and software requirements if the students enroll in distance education (online) courses. Please refer to the ‘Minimum Requirements for Students Enrolling in Distance Education Courses’ section.
13. Have the ability to read and write English at the level of a graduate of an American high school, as demonstrated by a high school transcript, GED, or passage of the California high school proficiency exam.

*Prerequisite courses may be taken at Gurnick Academy of Medical Arts.

Per the Gurnick Academy of Medical Arts’ Employee Manual, the Executive Corporate Management Team may, if applicable to the program of interest, accept a maximum of one nominated applicant per program start who meets all admissions requirements without a point ranking system.  

The Criteria Cognitive Aptitude Test (CCAT) is an aptitude test that measures an individual’s aptitude to solve problems, digest and apply information, learn new skills, and think critically. The exam consists of 50 items. There is no cost for this exam.

Applicants are allowed three attempts within one calendar year to pass the exam. Students are allowed to retake the same exam on the same day as the first failed attempt. There must be at least seven days between attempts after that.

While students are allowed up to three attempts to pass, only the score from the first attempt will be used in the ranking process, as applicable per program.

Results are valid for one year from the date of the first attempt. Please note that if a graduate (or current student) applies to another program and their CCAT result has expired, they must retake the test.

[For ADN, LVN to RN, BSN, and LVN to BSN Programs]

The Test of Essential Academic Skills (TEAS^®) measures essential basic skills in the academic content domains of reading, mathematics, science, and English and language usage. The test is intended for use primarily with adult nursing program applicant populations. The objectives assessed on TEAS^® VII* are those that nurse educators deemed most appropriate and relevant for measuring the entry-level academic readiness of nursing program applicants.

The TEAS exam is proctored remotely by ATI, and the cost per test taker is $120. Applicants are allowed two attempts per year, starting from the original date of the first exam. Results are valid for only one year. All students are encouraged to visit www.atitesting.com for study materials, valuable resources, and additional information.

For the A.S. in Nursing and B.S. in Nursing programs, the score on the most recent attempt will be accepted for the A.S. in Nursing and B.S. in Nursing.

Breakdown of test subjects (by the percentage of the entire test):

• Reading—28%
• Mathematics—20%
• Science—32%
• English and Language Usage—20%

International applicants are encouraged to apply for admission. As outlined above, all applicants must meet the same requirements as U.S. citizens. An English evaluation should accompany all documents.

Students whose native language is not English will be required to take the English test as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) or an equivalent. The following minimum TOEFL scores must be obtained for the iBT (internet-based test) or demonstrate English proficiency through other measures established by Gurnick Academy of Medical Arts:

• Prior to January 21, 2026: minimum overall score of 58
• On or after January 21, 2026: minimum 3.5 on the scaled score

Requirements for proof of English Language Proficiency through TOEFL or International English Language System (IELTS):

• Individuals who have graduated from a U.S. high school and have passed the CA proficiency test will be exempt from taking the TOEFL.
• Individuals who have graduated from a U.S. college/university with an AS/AA or higher will be exempt from taking the TOEFL.
• Individuals who have graduated from an English-speaking country, such as Canada, Nigeria, or the UK, will be exempt from taking the TOEFL.
• For those opting for IELTS, a minimum score of 6.5 is required in each section, with an overall band score of 6.5 or higher.
• Individuals who have completed a college-level English course may request a review of the course to be exempt from taking the TOEFL.

An affidavit of financial support is recommended for submission, but is not required. More detailed information will be provided through our Admissions office. Gurnick Academy of Medical Arts is authorized to enroll non-immigrant students under federal law. Besides F1 and M1 visas, Gurnick Academy of Medical Arts does not offer visa services. If requested, Gurnick Academy of Medical Arts will document and vouch for the current student status.