TEAS test day checklist: what to bring, what is not allowed, and how the day runs
Written and reviewed by Rebecca Moore, MSN, RN, CEN · 3 min read · Updated October 2026
Short answer
Bring a physical, current, government-issued photo ID whose name matches your ATI account exactly, plus your ATI username and password. The calculator is built into the exam and personal calculators are not allowed. Arrive 15 to 20 minutes early in person, or log in 30 minutes early for a remote exam, and expect one 10-minute break after Math.
What to bring
Check your ID first. ATI requires a physical, non-expired, government-issued photo ID, and the name on it must match your registration exactly. Digital copies, such as a photo of your ID on your phone, and printouts are not accepted. A driver's licence, state ID, passport, and military ID are among the accepted forms.
For an in-person exam, ATI also lists your ATI username and password and two sharpened No. 2 pencils with erasers; the centre provides scratch paper. Your testing site may add its own requirements, so read your confirmation email.
Testing at home
For a remote exam you need a laptop or desktop computer that is charged or plugged in, with a working webcam and microphone, in a quiet private room. You may use one blank sheet of letter-size paper or a small desktop whiteboard, with two writing instruments in case one fails.
You stay on camera for the whole exam. The scheduled break is the only time you may leave the camera's view. Check that your computer meets ATI's system requirements well before test day, not on the morning.
What is not allowed
ATI's list of items not allowed at the desk includes phones, smartwatches, smart glasses, food, drinks, and tissues. Headphones and earplugs are not allowed unless you have an approved accommodation, and head coverings are not allowed except religious ones.
Accommodations need to be approved before you register. ATI says remote test-takers should request them at least 30 days before the test date; if you test through a school or a PSI centre, ask them about their process.
How the day runs
Each section has its own clock, and ATI describes one 10-minute break after the Math section. Time you save in one section does not carry over, so use all of it. The night before, sit one last timed set rather than learning anything new. Our free TEAS practice questions work well for that warm-up.
Common questions
What ID do I need for the TEAS?
A physical, current, government-issued photo ID with a name that matches your ATI account exactly. Photos of an ID and printouts are not accepted.
Do you get a break during the TEAS?
ATI describes one 10-minute break, after the Math section. On a remote exam it is the only time you may leave the camera's view.
Can I bring water to the TEAS?
No. ATI lists food and drink among the items not allowed, and on a remote exam that includes water. At a testing centre, ATI says not to access personal items during the break. Eat and drink before you start, and ask your site in advance if you need an exception for a medical reason.