BSN Program Eligibility & Admission
Pre-Nursing is a designation indicating interest in the nursing major and acceptance to the University does not mean acceptance into the nursing program. The School of Nursing assesses students using a points-based system, where the top 40 students with the most points are offered seats.
To be eligible to apply for the Basic BSN program, students must first meet the minimum admission criteria, as listed in the "Admission Criteria, Points Distribution and Instructions" document linked below.
How to Apply
To apply for the Basic BSN Program, two separate applications are required:
- Apply to CSU, Chico through Cal State Apply(opens in new window) Apply as "prenursing"
- Apply to the School of Nursing basic BSN program through the NursingCAS(opens in new window)
Students must submit official transcripts (and AP scores, if applicable) to BOTH CSU, Chico Office of Admissions, and NursingCAS. Current Chico State Students do not need to send transcripts to Chico State unless specifically requested to do so. Do not mail transcripts or any application documents to the School of Nursing office.
While we are happy to answer specific questions, we will not review applications for completeness or errors before submission.
All materials must be received by NursingCAS by 8:59 PST on the deadline with the exception of the TEAS test which goes directly from ATI to the School of Nursing. The TEAS test must also be received by the deadline. We cannot accept any late documents regardless of the reason.
Applications Dates, Deadlines, & Decisions
| Application Timeframe's | Chico State Application | NursingCAS Application |
| Fall Application Period | 10/1-11/30 of the proceeding year | 1/1-3/1 EST |
| Fall Decisions | varies | 5/1-5/15 |
| Spring Application Period | 8/1-9/30 of the proceeding year | 8/15-10/8 EST |
| Spring Decisions | varies | 12/1-12/15 |
Casper Test Dates for Fall 2026 Application
See Fall 2026 Admission Criteria, Points Distribution and Instructions for additional information. Casper is an online, open-response situational judgment test that takes 65-85 minutes to complete. You will register for: CSP-10106 - Undergraduate Health Sciences.
These test dates can only be used for Fall 2026.
- May 14, 2025 - 5:00 PM PDT
- Aug 5, 2025 - 5:00 PM PDT
- Sep 4, 2025 - 5:00 PM PDT
- Oct 21, 2025 - 5:00 PM PDT
- Nov 13, 2025 - 5:00 PM PST
- Dec 4, 2025 - 5:00 PM PST
- Jan 13, 2026 - 5:00 PM PST
- Feb 5, 2026 - 5:00 PM PST
- Feb 24, 2026 - 5:00 PM PST
Local Preference
CA Residency: Applications from California residents and students eligible to pay in-state tuition are considered prior to any non-resident applications.
Local preference: Priority is given to applicants from the CSU Chico admission area as well as applicants from the Cal Poly Humboldt admission area. Priority is given to students who graduated high school, or completed 30 or more units in any of the following counties:
- Butte, Colusa, Del Norte, Glenn, Humboldt, Lassen, Modoc, Northern Mendocino (north of Ukiah), Plumas, Shasta, Siskiyou, Sutter, Tehama, Trinity, and Yuba
- Additionally, Sierra College (coursework completed through Tahoe-Truckee and Nevada County Campuses only)
CSU, Chico Student Preference: Applicants who have completed 30 units at CSU, Chico at the time of application will be awarded preference points.
Applicant Information
Returning Applicants - Ensure that you keep your admission status active during the timeframe between application cycles or to re-apply to the university if you cancel your enrollment status.
CSU Chico Graduating Applicants - If you are a current CSU Chico student who is graduating with another degree at the time of application, you will need to reapply to the University for the term in which you are applying for nursing.
Post Baccalaureate Students - The School of Nursing does accept post baccalaureate students. When applying through Cal State Apply, please apply as an undergraduate.
LVN Placement and LVN Option - Applicants who hold LVN licenses may qualify for advanced placement upon admission to our on-campus BSN nursing program. LVNs may also choose an LVN 30-unit option, which meets the requirements for taking the RN licensing examination in California but does not lead to any degree. LVN applicants must follow the same application process as prelicensure students. Special selection criteria are used to determine which students will be admitted.
Military Service Rewarded - Veterans with previous medical/corpsman experience may be eligible to receive additional points on their supplemental nursing applications. For information about receiving academic credit, please visit Ex-Military Students.
Provisional Acceptance
Applicants accepting admission must pass a background check and drug screen (including cannabis) consistent with California Board of Registered Nursing guidelines. Testing positive for cannabis will result in the loss of your admission. You will need to re-apply.