TEAS retake policy: what ATI allows, what your school decides, and how to plan
Written and reviewed by Rebecca Moore, MSN, RN, CEN · 3 min read · Updated October 2026
Short answer
ATI does not cap how many times you can take the TEAS, but many schools do. ATI says each exam counts as an attempt even if you do not finish, and that your school sets how soon you can retest and how many attempts count. Check the retake rules of every program you are applying to before your first attempt.
What ATI itself allows
ATI's registration page says it does not limit your total attempts, and that every exam counts as an attempt even if you do not finish or submit it. Its help centre says ATI does not require a waiting period between attempts, though the same registration page notes you must wait at least 48 hours after completing an exam before scheduling a retake through ATI.
If you have taken the TEAS more than once, ATI says you can choose which set of results to send when you use a transcript credit. Whether a school accepts that choice is up to the school.
What your school decides
Programs set the rules that actually limit you: how many attempts they accept in a year or an application cycle, how long you must wait between attempts, and whether they use your highest score, your most recent, or your first. Some also want all four sections from a single sitting.
Rules differ widely between schools. Golden West College, for example, does not limit how many times you take the TEAS, but only lets you test at its own centre once. Another program may accept only a set number of attempts each year. Read each program's admissions page, and if it is silent, ask before you book.
Planning a retake
Start with the Topics to Review list on your score report. It names the objectives behind the questions you missed, section by section, which is a ready-made study list. ATI's registration FAQ notes that many students prepare for at least six weeks between attempts.
Then work backwards from your deadline, allowing for score delivery and transcripts. ATI says some scores are available immediately while others take up to two to three business days, depending on how you test, and transcripts can take extra time to reach a school. Our free TEAS practice questions are split by section, so you can focus on the one your report says cost you the most.
Common questions
How soon can I retake the TEAS?
ATI's own rule is short: no waiting period per its help centre, 48 hours before scheduling a retake through ATI per its registration page. Your school's rule is the one that counts.
Does an unfinished TEAS count as an attempt?
Yes. ATI says each exam counts as an attempt even if you do not finish or submit it.
Do schools see all my TEAS attempts?
ATI lets you choose which set of results to send with a transcript credit. Some programs ask about every attempt anyway, so read the application instructions.