TEAS Registration Guide: ATI vs PSI vs School Proctor

The Test of Essential Academic Skills (TEAS) is a critical milestone on your path to nursing school. But before you can focus on studying for the exam, you need to navigate the registration process—and that's where many students get confused.

The TEAS exam can be taken through three main testing channels: ATI remote proctoring, PSI testing centers, or your school's own proctoring service. Each option has different registration steps, costs, and policies. Choosing the wrong one could mean wasting money, having your scores rejected, or using up one of your limited attempts.

This guide walks you through every registration option, explains the pros and cons of each, and gives you a step-by-step process to register without mistakes.

Step 1: Check Your School's TEAS Policy First

Before you do anything else, contact the nursing program(s) you're applying to. Schools have vastly different TEAS requirements, and registering for the wrong exam type is one of the most costly mistakes applicants make.

Here's what you need to find out from your school:

• Which testing option do they accept? Some schools only accept exams taken on their campus. Others accept remote exams. A few have no preference.
• Do they accept remote (at-home) exam transcripts? Some schools explicitly reject scores from remote proctored exams.
• How many attempts are allowed? Most schools allow 2-3 attempts per year. Learn more about TEAS retake policies.
• What is the minimum required score? Programs vary widely in their score requirements. See what's considered a good TEAS score for guidance.
• How long are scores valid? Most schools accept scores that are up to 2 years old, but some require more recent results. Read about TEAS score validity for details.
• What is their transcript submission deadline? Account for the time it takes for scores to be processed and sent.
• Do they require a specific TEAS version? Make sure you're registering for TEAS 7, the current version.

Warning: If you register for the wrong exam type, refunds are not issued, and the exam still counts as one of your attempts. This is why checking with your school first is non-negotiable.

The Three TEAS Testing Options Explained

The ATI TEAS is one exam offered through different proctoring channels. Here's a detailed comparison:

Option 1: TEAS at ATI (Remote Proctored by ATI)

This is the fully online, at-home option proctored by ATI using Respondus remote proctoring software.

How it works:

• You take the exam from home (or any quiet location) on your own computer
• ATI proctors the exam remotely using Respondus monitoring software
• All exam times are scheduled in Central Time—you'll need to adjust for your time zone
• You register and pay directly through www.atitesting.com

What you need:

• A computer that meets ATI's system requirements
• A reliable internet connection
• A quiet, private testing environment
• A valid government-issued photo ID

Score delivery:

• One free transcript is included with your registration fee
• You are responsible for sending scores to your school(s)
• Scores typically take 3 business days to finalize (excluding weekends and holidays)
• Your results show a "Preliminary" watermark until finalized, but you can still submit them—your final scores will be sent automatically once processed

Pros:

• Maximum convenience—test from home
• Flexible scheduling with many available time slots
• No travel required

Cons:

• Some schools do not accept remote exam transcripts
• Strict system requirements—your computer must pass all checks
• Your testing environment will be monitored; any interruptions can invalidate your exam
• Preliminary score status means a delay before scores are finalized

Best for: Students whose schools accept remote proctored exams and who have a reliable computer and quiet testing space.

Option 2: TEAS at Institution (School Proctored)

This option is administered directly by your school or a designated testing center, either in-person or remotely with school proctoring.

How it works:

• You may take the exam in-person at your school's testing center or remotely with your school proctoring the exam
• Your school controls the scheduling, administration, and proctoring
• Registration and payment may go through your school's website or through ATI, depending on the school's setup

What you need:

• Follow your school's specific registration instructions
• A valid government-issued photo ID
• For remote institution-proctored exams: a computer meeting system requirements

Score delivery:

• Results are automatically sent to your school—no action needed on your part
• The transcript is included in your registration fee
• Processing time varies by institution

Pros:

• Scores are sent directly to your school automatically
• No need to worry about transcript submission
• In-person option eliminates technical issues at home
• Some schools offer this at a reduced cost or include it in application fees

Cons:

• Less scheduling flexibility—limited to your school's available dates
• You must travel to the testing location for in-person exams
• Each school sets its own policies, which may be more restrictive

Best for: Students applying to a specific school that requires or strongly prefers testing through their institution. This is often the safest option because you know your school will accept the scores.

Option 3: TEAS at PSI (Testing Center or Remote)

PSI is a national testing company with testing centers across the United States. This option offers both in-person testing at a PSI center and remote proctored testing through PSI's platform.

How it works:

• You can take the exam in-person at a PSI testing center or remotely from home through PSI's online system
• You must first purchase the exam through ATI, then schedule separately with PSI
• PSI proctors the exam, not ATI or your school

What you need:

• A valid government-issued photo ID (name must exactly match your ATI registration)
• For PSI testing center: check available dates at PSI's scheduling portal
• For PSI remote: a computer meeting PSI's system requirements
• Note: PSI's scheduling system uses Internet Explorer; Chrome, Firefox, and Safari are not supported for scheduling

Score delivery:

• One free transcript is included with your registration
• You are responsible for sending scores to your school(s)
• Results can take up to 72 hours to post to your ATI account
• The date on your score report reflects when results post to your account, not when you took the exam

Registration steps for PSI:

1. Check available PSI test dates and locations before purchasing
2. Purchase the TEAS at PSI exam through www.atitesting.com
3. Wait for your PSI authorization email (within 2 hours of purchase)
4. Schedule your exam with PSI online at candidate.psiexams.com or by calling 800-733-9267
5. Receive confirmation email with test center location and directions

Pros:

• Professional testing center environment
• Wide availability of testing locations nationwide
• Both in-person and remote options available
• No technical setup worries with in-person testing

Cons:

• Two-step registration process (ATI + PSI) can be confusing
• PSI's scheduling system has browser limitations
• Testing centers can fill up, requiring alternate dates or locations
• You're responsible for sending transcripts to schools
• Results may take up to 72 hours to post

Best for: Students who need a professional testing environment, whose schools don't offer on-campus testing, or who prefer the structure of a dedicated testing center.

Quick Comparison Table

Step-by-Step Registration Process

Before You Register

1. Confirm your school's TEAS policy (testing option, score requirements, deadlines)
2. Create an ATI account at www.atitesting.com if you don't have one
3. Verify your ID is valid and government-issued (driver's license, state ID, or passport)
4. Check your computer's system requirements if taking a remote exam
5. Decide which testing option your school requires or accepts

Registration Steps

For TEAS at ATI (Remote):

1. Log into your ATI account at www.atitesting.com
2. Navigate to the TEAS registration page
3. Select "TEAS at ATI" (remote proctored)
4. Choose your exam date and time (remember: times are in Central Time)
5. Complete payment (~$120)
6. Ensure your computer meets system requirements before test day
7. Take your exam at the scheduled time

For TEAS at Institution:

1. Follow your school's specific registration instructions
2. If registering through ATI, select your school from the list
3. Choose the available exam date and time
4. Complete payment
5. Your scores will be sent to your school automatically

For TEAS at PSI:

1. Check available dates at PSI's test date portal
2. Log into your ATI account and purchase the "TEAS at PSI" exam
3. Wait for your PSI authorization email (within 2 hours)
4. Schedule your exam with PSI online or by phone
5. Receive your confirmation email
6. Take your exam at the scheduled PSI location or remotely

Critical Requirements for All TEAS Exams

ID Requirements

You must present a valid, government-issued photo ID at the time of testing. This applies to both in-person and remote exams.

Accepted IDs:

• Current U.S. driver's license
• State ID card
• U.S. passport
• Military ID

Not accepted:

• Student IDs
• Work IDs
• Digital copies or photos of IDs on your phone
• Expired IDs

Critical: The name on your ID must exactly match the name you used during registration. If they don't match, the proctor will stop your exam, and no refund will be issued.

Computer System Requirements (Remote Exams)

If you're taking a remote proctored exam (ATI or PSI), your computer must meet specific requirements. Check ATI's technical requirements page before registering. Common requirements include:

• Supported operating system (Windows or macOS)
• Compatible web browser
• Functional webcam and microphone
• Stable internet connection
• Respondus LockDown Browser (for ATI remote exams)

Rescheduling Policy

• If registered through ATI, you can reschedule for a $15 fee (some restrictions apply)
• For PSI exams, you must contact PSI at least two days before your scheduled test date
• Check your school's specific rescheduling policies as they may differ

Common Registration Mistakes to Avoid

1. Not Checking School Policy First

Registering for a remote exam when your school only accepts in-person scores is the most common and costly mistake. Always verify first.

2. Name Mismatch on ID

Your ATI account name must match your government-issued ID exactly. Double-check this before registering.

3. Missing the Time Zone

ATI remote exam times are scheduled in Central Time. If you're in a different time zone, calculate accordingly to avoid missing your exam.

4. Not Accounting for Score Processing Time

Scores can take up to 3 business days (ATI) or 72 hours (PSI) to post. If your application deadline is tight, schedule your exam with enough buffer time.

5. Forgetting the Two-Step PSI Process

PSI requires you to purchase through ATI first, then schedule separately with PSI. Don't assume purchasing the exam automatically schedules your test date.

6. Ignoring System Requirements

Remote exams have strict technical requirements. Test your setup well before exam day to avoid last-minute issues.

7. Not Understanding Attempt Limits

Every time you take the TEAS, it counts as an attempt—even if you don't submit the transcript. Know your school's attempt limit before registering. Most schools allow 2-3 attempts per year with a 30-day waiting period.

How Many Transcripts Do You Need?

Your registration includes one free transcript sent to a single school. If you're applying to multiple programs, you'll need to purchase additional transcript credits through your ATI account.

Keep in mind that if you're applying to multiple schools, each one may have different TEAS requirements. Make sure all your target schools accept the testing option you choose before registering.

When Should You Take the TEAS?

Timing your TEAS exam is crucial. Consider these factors:

• Application deadlines: Schedule your exam at least 4-6 weeks before your earliest application deadline to account for score processing and transcript submission.
• Score validity: TEAS scores are typically valid for 2 years, but check your school's specific policy. Read more about TEAS score validity.
• Retake buffer: If there's a chance you may need to retake the exam, schedule your first attempt early enough to allow for the mandatory waiting period.
• Preparation time: Most students benefit from 6-8 weeks of dedicated study before taking the exam.

Final Thoughts

Registering for the TEAS exam doesn't have to be stressful if you follow the right steps. The key takeaway is simple: always check with your school first. Their policy dictates which testing option you should choose, and getting this wrong can cost you both money and valuable attempts.

Once you know your school's requirements, the registration process is straightforward. Whether you choose ATI remote proctoring for convenience, your school's in-person testing for simplicity, or a PSI testing center for a professional environment, make sure you understand the specific steps, requirements, and timelines for your chosen option.

With your exam registered and scheduled, you can shift your focus to what really matters: preparing thoroughly and achieving the score you need to get into your dream nursing program.