Points Earned

HESI Cumulative Score Range

Program applicants complete the HESI A2 Admission Assessment Exam (A2). Exam results are valid for one year prior to the application period.  Composite score content areas include Math, Reading, Anatomy & Physiology, and Critical Thinking.

Overall Exam Score Multiplied by .20

HESI Critical Thinking

• 900-1000 = 20 points
• 850-899 = 15 points 
• 800-849 =10 points
• 700-799 = 5 points
• < 700= 0 points

Max = 40 points

Prerequisite Courses

Points based on the highest recorded course grades in:

• Communication (ENGL 1301 or 1302) 
• PSYC 2314 Lifespan Growth and Development 
• Language, Philosophy, Culture, or Creative Arts 
• Speech (SPCH 1315, 1318, or 1321) 
• Anatomy & Physiology I (BIOL 2401) 
• Anatomy & Physiology II (BIOL 2402) 

Max = 200 points

• Grade of "A" for courses = 10 points
• Grade of "B" for courses = 7 points
• Grade of "C" for courses = 4 points
• Grade of "D" or below for courses = 0 points

*Note: All Prerequisite courses must be completed prior to application submission.

Total Points (240 possible)

Learn more about the HESI exam 

Required Meeting: 

All applications are required to attend an Application Process Meeting. These will be held in the West Campus Lecture Hall. 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:

• 10 am – Noon Monday, Feb. 3
• 2 pm – 4 pm Tuesday, Feb. 25
• 6 pm – 8 pm Wednesday, March 5
• 10 am – Noon Thursday, March 27
• 6 pm – 8 pm Friday, April 4
• 2 pm – 4 pm Monday, April 7

Complete information can be found on the Health Sciences Application Process page.

Selection Timetable

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 Friday, May 30, 2025.

Accepted students must confirm their acceptance by 5 pm Monday, June 2, 2025.

Program Requirements Once Accepted.

• A mandatory student orientation will be scheduled before the Fall semester begins in August.  The specific date, time, and location of the orientation will be given at a later date.
• Essential Expectation of the PTA form OR a physical examination form completed by the applicant’s physician.  Find the Essential Expection form here. 
• Amarillo College Release and Waiver of Liability form
• Immunizations are required by the Texas Department of Health and are due at the time the application is submitted.  You must submit proof of the following immunizations with your application to the PTA program:
  • Hepatitis B (this is a 3 shot series and will take 6 months to complete)
  • Varicella titer or physician statement concerning past Varicella illness (for those who have had chickenpox) or the Varicella vaccine (for those who have not had chickenpox)
  • MMR (2 doses)
  • Tetanus (this must have been completed in the last 10 years)
  • Bacterial meningitis
  • Annual flu shot
  • Current TB test (this expires annually)
  • Proof Of COVID immunizations or completion of approved AC medical or religious exemption waiver
• Background check through Complio  (details outlined in the next section)
• 10-Panel drug screen through Complio (details outlined in the next section)

Drug Screens

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.

Criminal Background Check

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.