Requirements and fit
CRNA school requirements: what applicants need before applying
AANA lists an appropriate bachelor or graduate degree, an unencumbered RN/APRN license, and at least one year of full-time critical care experience (or the part-time equivalent) as profession-level prerequisites. GPA, tests, certifications, courses, references, and deadlines remain program-specific.
Data trust & freshness
Use CRNA Tracker to organize your application research, then verify final details with the official program before you apply.
Freshness standard
Last reviewed July 25, 2026. Deadlines, prerequisites, and admissions policies can change mid-cycle.
Read methodologyBest next step
Double-check the program's official admissions page before submitting anything important.
Spotted an issue?
Email corrections, broken links, or outdated requirements and we'll review them.
Report a correctionEmail [email protected]Free requirement check · no signup required
Check one target school before you build a list
Choose a program and add only the applicant facts you know. You will see a useful, source-linked result first. Unknown answers remain unknown.
Requirement map
Track general requirements and school-specific differences
| Requirement | Common expectation | What to verify |
|---|---|---|
| Degree | AANA: appropriate bachelor or graduate degree. | Accepted majors, accreditation, and transcript rules. |
| RN license | AANA: unencumbered RN and/or APRN license. | State and timing expectations before matriculation. |
| Critical care | AANA: at least one year full time, or part-time equivalent. | Which settings count and how recent experience must be. |
| GPA | AANA gives 3.0 or higher as an example prerequisite. | Program minimum, science GPA, recent credits, and calculation method. |
| Certifications | Program-specific. | CCRN, BLS, ACLS, PALS, and timing. |
| Tests | Program-specific. | Current GRE or other testing policy and score delivery rules. |
FAQ
Common questions
What is the profession-level critical care minimum?+
AANA lists at least one year of full-time critical care experience, or its part-time equivalent. Each school decides which settings and timing it accepts.
Do all CRNA schools require CCRN?+
Requirements vary by program. Check the current official admissions page for every school on your shortlist.
Do all CRNA schools require the GRE?+
No universal GRE rule applies across programs. Verify the current-cycle policy and score-delivery instructions with each school.