Please note that enrollment in the Physical Therapist Assistant program is limited, so an early application is strongly recommended.
Program applicants complete the (TEAS) Exam. Exam results must be within the application period (Jan - May) of the application year. Composite score content areas include Math, Reading, Science, and English & Language Usage. The composite score will be multiplied by 0.20 and that will be added to grade points.
Composite Score Multiplied by .20
Max = 20 points
The CASPER assessment is required only for applicants whose total points are in the top percentage of the program’s initial application scoring process.
Applicants who are selected to proceed will receive an official email notification from the Program by May 19, 2026, with details on the next steps.
Applicants who do not receive this invitation are not required to complete CASPER.
Max = 20 points
Points based on the highest recorded course grades in:
Max = 230 points
*Notes:
All applications are required to attend an Application Process Meeting. These will be held in the West Campus Simulation Center Auditorium. Students do not need to reserve a spot and will sign in upon arrival. Zoom meetings are reserved for those residing outside of Amarillo. Please see below for dates and times:
Complete information can be found on the Health Sciences Application Process page.
During the last week of May, the points for all applicants will be calculated and the 22 applicants with the highest scores will be selected for entry into the PTA program. In the event of a tie, the reported HESI scores will be used to select applicants to enter the program. Students not selected will be placed on a waiting list and encouraged to reapply the next year. Students will be accepted off of the waiting list until the first day of fall classes.
Applicants will receive an email with acceptance status on Wednesday, June 10, 2026.
Accepted students must confirm their acceptance by 3 pm, Friday, June 12, 2026.
The 10-panel drug screen procedure may take up to 30 days to complete. Students are required to order the drug screen and submit a specimen in sufficient time to be reviewed by the school before starting the clinic.
Incoming students should begin the drug screen process only upon directions from the department. Failure to complete the drug test in the time period required will result in withdrawal from the program. All drug screens must be ordered through the AC Complio website, and urine specimens submitted within 30 days of ordering the drug screen.
For details regarding Drug Screening, refer to the Health Sciences Drug Screening page.
Amarillo College background checks are conducted through the AC Complio website, a firm specializing in background checks for healthcare workers. Your order must be placed online only, and typically takes 3-5 business days to complete.
Complio will not use your information for any other purposes other than a background check. Your credit will not be investigated, and your name will not be given out to any businesses.
Before proceeding with the Criminal Background Check process, you should first view and download the Amarillo College CBC Policy Statement. After reading the policy statement, you will need to sign the attached form and submit the signed form to your program director for placement into your application file. Your application to the program cannot be considered until this signed statement is on file.
Complete all required fields and hit Continue to enter your payment information. The payment of $48.00 plus sales tax for individuals living in Texas can be made securely online with a credit or debit card. You can also pay by money order, but that will delay processing your background check until the money order is received by mail at the Complio office. You will be provided an order confirmation number and instructions on checking the status on the completion of your report by email.
If you need assistance, don't hesitate to contact Complio.