The Nursing Program at Renton Technical College is currently conditionally approved by the Washington State Board of Nursing (WABON). The Nursing Program is not nationally accredited. The program’s NCLEX pass rates were 66.67% in 2021, 70% in 2022, and 80.95% in 2023.

Step 1: Apply to Renton Technical College

Applicants must apply for general admission to Renton Technical College and attend the new student orientation. 

• Apply to Renton Technical College
• New Student Orientation

In order to be admitted to Registered Nurse, AAS-T program, a prospective student must also meet the following requirements:

• Minimum age: 18 years (at time of clinical placement).

Step 2: Complete Required Prerequisites

The prerequisites below must be completed before applying to the program.

• BIOL& 160; General Biology – 5 Credits (prerequisite to Anatomy/Physiology BIOL& 241)
• BIOL& 241; Anatomy and Physiology I – 5 Credits (prerequisite to Anatomy/Physiology BIOL& 242)
• BIOL& 242; Anatomy and Physiology II – 5 Credits
• BIOL& 260; Microbiology – 5 Credits
• ENGL& 101; English Composition – 5 Credits
• MATH& 146; Statistics – 5 Credits
• PSYC& 200; Lifespan Psychology – 5 Credits
• CHEM& 121; Chemistry – 5 Credits

Applicants must earn a minimum grade of 2.7 in mathematics and psychology prerequisite courses. Additionally, for all other prerequisite courses, a minimum grade of “B” equal to 3.0 is required. Applicants may retake the course to meet the minimum grade requirement. No more than three attempts to take the course will be accepted as meeting the minimum requirement. Withdrawn classes count as an attempt.

Applicants can contact the Renton Technical College Academic/Career Counselor at advising@rtc.edu with questions.

Step 3: Transfer other college credits to Renton Technical College

Applicants who have studied at institutions other than Renton Technical College are required to provide official transcripts and must submit a transfer credit request. You will submit the credit evaluation letter when applying to the nursing program. 

• Transfer Credits to RTC

Step 4: TEAS Score Requirements

The Test of Essential Academic Skills (TEAS™) evaluates readiness for the Registered Nurse program by testing proficiency in Reading, Mathematics, Science, and English and Language Usage. The TEAS exam may not be substituted by other tests or coursework.

• Must take version 6 or 7 of TEAS. Scores must be issued by ATI TEAS.
• Minimum score of 75% overall and 70% in each of the subcategories (Math, Science, English, and Reading).
• Currently, there are no expiration date for TEAS score requirement.

Step 5:  Licenses and Certifications Requirements

The certifications and licenses below are required before applying to the program.

• Applicants must have a Nursing Assistant Certificate of Completion and/or have an active Certified Nursing Assistant license approved by the Washing State Board of Nursing. 
  
  • Nursing Assistant Program at RTC
• Students are required to complete Basic Life Support Certification from the American Heart Association. Note: BLS certification must be active while in the program.

Step 6. Apply to Registered Nurse, AAS-T Program

Once applicant have all the steps above completed, apply to the Registered Nurse, AAS-T program.

Though not required, additional points toward admission to the program may be granted with the following documentation:

• Military Service
  • Honorable discharge
  • Current service
• Previous degrees (e.g. Associate's degree, Bachelor’s degree)
• Renton Technical College alumni
• First Generation college student

Step 7: Complete Clinical Passport

Renton Technical College uses the third-party vendor, CastleBranch, to facilitate documentation required for clinicals. Compliance is required for entry into the program and for the duration of the program.

Vaccination/Immunization

Students must meet vaccination and program-specific health requirements. These requirements are to be completed before your first day of class and maintain throughout the duration of the program. These requirements may take months to complete dependent on your time, please plan accordingly. 

Background Check

A background check is required prior to admission to the nursing program.

• Applicants must complete and pass a comprehensive background check. Applicants will be able to complete the background check requirements through the CastleBranch website. 
• The background check will include the following: Social Security Administration (SSA) identity validation; criminal history for seven years; Fraud and Abuse Control Information Systems (FACIS); Office of Inspector General (OIG); General Services Administration (GSA); warrants, arrests; sex offender; child kidnapper registry; Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC); and State of Washington background verification.
• The Washington Board of Nursing Statutes and Regulations defines “passing a background check” to include “no criminal convictions.” If you have a history of criminal convictions, please speak to a counselor prior to application.

CastleBranch Instructions

1. Visit RTC’s CastleBranch portal.
2. Click on “Place Order”
3. Select "Nursing," then the “RR75Nur: Background Check – Medical Documentation Manager” package.
4. Follow each prompt to the complete order. Please save your CastleBranch username and password, as you will be using it for the duration of the program.
5. We will be notified once your order is complete.

Application is open once a year for Fall enrollment and we are accepting 24 applicants. 

Fall 2025 applications are open from June 1 to June 30, 2025.

Application Deadline: June 30, 2025.

Selected Applicants Notified by: July 14 – July 25, 2025