Portland Community College | Portland, Oregon

What was your 2026 applicant profile?

The 2026 application cycle had:

• 400+ applications received
• 315 complete nursing applications
• 76 applicants invited to sit for the HSRT
• 40 seat offers extended

Students invited to take part in Phase II had the following:

• 3.76 – average prerequisite GPA
• 88% – documented healthcare experience
• 92% – healthcare certification
• 91% – full A&P sequence completed prior to applying
• 76% – all prerequisite courses completed prior to applying

Please note: These numbers change on a yearly basis. Point totals or average scores are not released.

I have questions about the admissions process. What should I do?

First, thoroughly review all admissions information. If you still have questions, please email healthadmissions@pcc.edu and one of our admissions specialists will reach out to you.

How do I make sure I am an active credit-seeking student?

Applicants need to be active credit-seeking students prior to applying to the Nursing program. If you haven’t taken a credit course at PCC in the last year, please update your application by going to pcc.edu/enroll. To confirm your status as an active credit-seeking student, email enroll@pcc.edu.

Is a Nursing Assistant Certification (CNA) required to get into the PCC Nursing program?

No. A CNA license is not required to apply or be admitted to PCC’s Nursing program. However, additional points may be earned on your application for experience as a CNA, EMT, paramedic, or LPN. To see a list of approved credentials, please review the approved list of accepted healthcare credentials for the PCC Nursing program. Although it is not a program requirement, students are encouraged to gain direct patient care skills and experience that may apply to any nursing program.

How do I contact an advisor?

To find your advisor’s contact info, visit the MyPCC Home tab and look for the My Advisor section. New students must complete the steps for new students, including placement, before meeting with an advisor. Learn more about academic advising or ask about getting started in the new student question form.

I need help with planning my prerequisites. Where should I start?

If you are new to PCC, please visit the PCC advising website for next steps on how to connect with an advisor, or fill out the new student question form.

If you are already taking classes at PCC, set up an appointment with your assigned academic advisor.

Will my transfer courses be accepted at PCC?

Applicants with transfer courses are strongly encouraged to submit their official transcripts to Student Records for evaluation before submitting their NCAS application. Student Records will evaluate lower division collegiate coursework.

Upper division coursework is evaluated upon request. We do not recommend you request all upper division coursework to be evaluated by Student Records. Instead, please request they evaluate only the courses you intend to use as prerequisites for the Nursing program. Each transfer course is subject to review by the PCC Student Records Office, the Nursing Department, and/or the Admissions Team to determine transfer equivalency.

My completed prerequisite course now has the letter Z attached to it. Do I need to retake it?

If the course has not expired, applicants do not need to repeat the prerequisite course. For example, prerequisite courses such as MTH 111Z used to be numbered as MTH 111 and would not need to be retaken. Courses such as WR 121Z, BI 231Z, STAT 243Z, and many others are part of the new Oregon Common Course Numbering system. To learn more, visit the Common Course Numbering page.

Are there any time limits on the prerequisite courses for the Nursing program?

See information about time limits on the prerequisites page.

What if I take a prerequisite course pass/no pass?

Individual prerequisite courses must be completed with a letter grade of “C” or higher. Pass/no pass grading options are not accepted as proof of successful course completion.

Can I use Credit for Prior Learning (CPL) courses from an unaccredited institution to meet a prerequisite course requirement?

The Nursing program does not accept CPL courses toward prerequisite or degree requirements. All prerequisite courses, including transfer work, must be completed with a “C” grade or higher from a regionally accredited institution to meet prerequisite course requirements.

What other writing courses can be used to meet the writing requirement?

Other courses that can be used to meet the writing requirements are WR 123, WR 227Z, and WR 222.

How do I waive WR 121Z and WR 122Z with completion of a U.S. Bachelor’s degree?

Applicants who have completed a U.S. bachelor’s degree may waive the WR 121Z and 122Z requirement. Applicants must use additional lower-division general education electives to fulfill the 45 credits required for admission.

What other math courses can be used to meet the MTH 95 requirement?

View the application materials page for information about other acceptable math courses.

Do I need to complete the ALEKS math placement test for admission?

View the application materials page for information about math placement scores.

Does my ALEKS placement expire?

PCC’s testing center uses your ALEKS math placement scores for course placement for three years. However, the Nursing program has a different requirement: it will accept ALEKS placement exams to meet its math admissions requirement if the scores are less than seven years old at the time of program application.

How do I choose which support courses are right for me?

We recommend working with an academic advisor when considering which two support courses to take. Some of the support courses, such as HEC 226 and CH 100 level or higher, can be used to meet lower-division general education degree requirements.

How soon should I start working on my Nursing CAS (NCAS) application?

The general NCAS application becomes available in late August each year. At this stage, you can input your personal information, academic history, and review general NCAS requirements. When applying, be sure to select the correct fall term you plan to start. You will not be able to access the specific PCC Nursing Application within NCAS until December. At that point, you can add PCC to your application and begin working on the PCC-specific requirements.

Do I need to send my official transcripts to NCAS even if I have already sent them to PCC?

Yes, applicants must send every official college transcript, including PCC transcripts, to NCAS before the application deadline even if all your official transcripts have been sent to PCC. It is your responsibility to ensure that NCAS receives and verifies all your official transcripts. If NCAS does not receive all transcripts, the application evaluators will not review your application.

Do I have to fill out the transcript entry?

Yes, applicants must complete the transcript entry with all college courses ever taken (including pass/no pass courses, courses taken multiple times, and courses that are not program prerequisites). Learn more about ordering transcripts for NCAS.

I applied last year. Do I need to send my official transcripts to NCAS again?

If you applied last year, you may not need to send all official transcripts to NCAS again. Instead, you can use the reapplication function in NCAS.

How will I be notified of my NCAS application status?

All program application correspondence will be sent to the email you used to create your NCAS account. Applicants are responsible for checking email regularly and understanding admissions-related dates and deadlines. Learn how to check your application status.

Once admitted to the nursing program, all program-related correspondence (including Financial Aid, post-selection requirements, etc.) will be sent through your PCC email address.

Will appeals be considered for applicants who miss admissions-related deadlines?

At PCC, we are committed to maintaining a fair admissions process by adhering to firm deadlines for application submissions and supporting documentation. Due to the high volume of applications, PCC will not accept appeals for missed deadlines. Applicants are encouraged to be aware of program and college deadlines, to plan accordingly, and submit required materials well in advance.

Will my Phase I score be shared with me?

Our admissions team does not share individual Phase I scores, nor is the overall Phase I cut-score shared. Each year the Phase I score, applicant pool, and/or the selection criteria change. Instead of sharing the Phase I cut-score, the admissions statistics for the most recent application cycle are published.

Can I use old verification forms on my 2027 application?

Applicants can use old verification forms on their 2027 application; however, they are responsible for understanding the new requirements and hours needed to ensure the forms are properly documenting the 2027 requirements. Applicants should check the application materials page to ensure all PCC documents are gathered before uploading them to their PCC application in NCAS.

How do I know if my healthcare credential will be accepted for points in Phase I?

Review the healthcare credentials form to identify your specific credential. Reach out to admissions@pcc.edu for specific credential inquiries.

How do I document service member experience and/or military medical experience?

To earn points for service, submit a service member experience form if you have served as an active or reserve member of the United States military, are a veteran of the United States military, or have served as an AmeriCorps or Peace Corps volunteer. Upload supporting documents to the NCAS application by the application deadline.

What are tips for preparing for the panel interview?

View the application materials page for information about preparing for the panel interview.

How should I prepare for the Health Sciences Reasoning Test – Associate Degree (HSRT-AD)?

View the application materials page for information about taking the HSRT–AD.

After I receive a seat offer and accept program placement, what is required of me?

After being offered a seat in the program and the seat is accepted, students will be required to successfully pass a criminal background check, a ten-panel drug screen, provide proof of required immunizations, and obtain CPR certification for healthcare providers (American Heart Association). Please review the following requirements for clinical and field education.

How much will it cost to complete these requirements?

The estimated cost for the post-selection requirements is $22,500.

Can I start working on these requirements now?

Please wait to start working on the above requirements until you are offered a seat in the nursing program. Admitted students will receive specific directions (at the June orientation) from PCC’s Nursing department on how to fulfill and document these requirements.

When I complete this program, what will I have a degree in?

PCC’s Nursing program awards an Associate of Applied Science (AAS) in Nursing. After graduating, you’ll be eligible to take the National Council Licensing Examination (NCLEX-RN). Passing this exam allows you to become a licensed nurse in the state of Oregon.

What is the Oregon Consortium for Nursing Education (OCNE)?

PCC’s Nursing program is part of the Oregon Consortium for Nursing Education (OCNE), a collaborative effort between OHSU and other Oregon community colleges. OCNE uses a shared curriculum, admission requirements, and timelines across all participating schools.

See information about the OCNE bachelor’s degree completion options on the program overview page.

What are the benefits of getting my Bachelor of Science with a major in Nursing

Earning your Bachelor of Science with a major in Nursing offers significant professional advantages:

• Employer preference: Many employers, especially Magnet® designated hospitals, prefer or require a bachelor’s degree for hiring and career advancement.
• Career growth: Nurses with a BS degree often have higher earning potential and more access to leadership roles.
• Further education: A bachelor’s degree is a prerequisite for pursuing graduate nursing degrees, such as becoming a nurse practitioner, clinical nurse leader, or nurse educator.

The OCNE partnership with OHSU makes getting your bachelor’s degree efficient and flexible, designed to accommodate working nurses.