Practical Nursing Admissions

Practical Nursing Program Progression & Special Admissions Requirements

The Practical Nursing program is a selective enrollment program available at our Hammond, Florida Parishes, and Sullivan campuses for the Fall 2025 semester. The application deadline is June 30, 2025. Admission to the program is required for enrollment. Spring 2026 enrollment for the traditional PN program at Hammond, Lacombe and Livingston campuses will be July 15, 2025 through November 2, 2025. For detailed information on the application process, please refer to the video below:

Northshore Technical Community College has two different pathways for the Practical Nursing Program. 

1) Traditional Pathway (18 months): requires no prerequisites or work experience required (see below for additional entrance criteria)

2) CCMA to PN (12 months): Is an accelerated program for Certified Clinical Medical Assistants to transition to a Practical Nursing role. One year of work experience as a Medical Assistant is required within the last ten years. (see below for additional entrance criteria)

Practical Nursing Application and Timeline

To be considered as an applicant for the Traditional Practical Nursing program, potential students must complete both an admissions application to Northshore Technical Community College and also an application to the Practical Nursing program. 

1. Application to NTCC
   • Application for Admission to NTCC
2. Application for Practical Nursing Program
   • For CCMA to PN application, scroll to the bottom of this page
   • Florida Parishes Application
   • Hammond Area Camps Application
   • Lacombe Campus Application
   • Livingston Campus Application
   • Sullivan Campus Application

Admission to the Practical Nursing Program is based on meeting published qualifications and also on a ranking system that includes multiple weighted indicators. Review the document linked below to learn more about admissions requirements and program progress expectations:

• Admissions Requirements

Accuplacer and TEAS Testing at Northshore:

Accuplacer Testing is offered at all campuses. TEAS Testing is offered at our Lacombe and Hammond campus. 

For entrance purposes, Accuplacer and TEAS Scores will only be accepted if taken in person at an NTCC Campus.

Accuplacer and TEAS tests taken at any other location or online will not be accepted.

Additional Information:

Information about the application process and required forms are provided below:

• Additional Information for Accepted Students
• Practical Nursing Contact List
• Northshore Accuplacer Testing Scheduling
• Accuplacer Test Prep

Accelerated Certified Medical Assistant to Practical Nursing Program

The Practical Nursing program is a selective admission program offered at the Florida Parishes, Hammond, Lacombe, Livingston, and Sullivan campuses. Admission cycles vary by campus, and not all campuses offer admission each semester. Applicants are encouraged to contact their campus of choice for the most current information on application availability.

Application Dates and Deadlines

Spring Term

• Application opens: May 16
• Application deadline: October 15

Fall Term

• Application opens: October 16
• Application deadline: May 15

Acceptance and non-acceptance notifications will be sent approximately seven (7) days after the application deadline. Applicants who receive an acceptance letter will be provided with instructions to attend a mandatory meeting, during which the orientation packet will be distributed.

Florida Parishes: 985-545-1739
Hammond: 985-545-1522
Lacombe: 985-545-1259
Livingston: 985-545-1805
Sullivan: 985-545-1451

This program is typically offered at our Lacombe campus (Ochsner) in the Spring and occasionally at the Hammond campus (North Oaks). To be considered as an applicant for the Accelerated Certified Medical Assistant to Practical Nursing Program (CCMA to PN), potential students must complete both an admissions application to Northshore Technical Community College and an application to the CCMA to PN. Please contact your campus of choice for additional information.

Admission to the program is based on meeting published qualifications and on a ranking system that includes multiple weighted indicators. Review the document linked below to learn more about admission requirements and program progress expectations: links to requirements, timeline, and required online application are provided below.

• CCMA to PN Admission Requirements
• Spring 2026 Timeline — External Only
• External Only—Accelerated CCMA to PN Application

Ochsner (Lacombe) potential students' and North Oaks (Hammond) potential students' applications are separate. Reach out to the Administrative Associate of the respective campus to ensure you are using the proper application link. You should have received this link from your respective employer.