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Apply to Tennessee College of Applied Technology (TCAT)

TCAT Age Limits:

  • 17 with a high school diploma or GED.
  • 18 or over. If students are 18 or over no High School Diploma or GED is required for most programs; however, a regular Highschool/GED/HiSet Diploma is required for Federal Financial Aid. There is no minimum GPA requirement.
  • 21 or over for the Commercial Truck Driving program. For program testing and entrance requirements please refer to admissions test requirements.

TCAT Admission Requirements

  • All first-time TCAT students must meet eligibility requirements through appropriate scores on the ACT (minimum of 13 for Reading & Math) or SAT tests.
  • Students who have not taken ACT or SAT may take the ACCUPLACER tests, offered free of charge through the Chattanooga State Testing Center.
  • All TCAT programs except Practical Nursing require the ACCUPLACER Reading & Arithmetic test. (Choose Placement – TCAT Reading & Math.)
    (Practical Nursing applicants must instead take the ACCUPLACER Reading & Quantitative Reasoning tests. (Choose Placement – Reading & Math.))

Notes:

  • TCAT programs are first come, first served. While you may meet the admission requirements for a particular program, you are not guaranteed a seat in the class.
  • Returning students who have previously attended college or already have a college degree should submit a copy of their transcript to the TCAT division office for evaluation, as he or she may be exempt from the admissions test requirement.

TCAT Programs with Additional Admission Requirements and/or Separate Application Process

  • Automation Mechatronics
  • Car Mechatronics · Commercial Truck Driving · R-BEST
  • Medical Assisting
  • Massage Therapy
  • Practical Nursing · Surgical Technology

To learn more about the admission process to the program for which you are interested, please refer to the chart below.

TCAT Test Admission Requirements Chart

Minimum ACT Score of 16 overall; Minimum ACT score of 13 for Reading & Math; HS Diploma or GED is Strongly Encouraged But Not Required.
Program Admissions Test Additional Requirements
Aesthetics ACCUPLACER Reading and Arithmetic tests  
Collision Repair ACCUPLACER Reading and Arithmetic tests  
Cosmetology ACCUPLACER Reading and Arithmetic tests  
Landscape and Turf Management ACCUPLACER Reading and Arithmetic tests  
Manicurist ACCUPLACER Reading and Arithmetic tests  
Welding ACCUPLACER Reading and Arithmetic tests  
Commercial Truck Driving Driving Permit Test May Be
Substituted for ACCUPLACER tests
 
Minimum ACT Score of > 16; HS Diploma or GED is Strongly Encouraged But Not Required.
Program Admissions Test Additional Requirements
Air Conditioning/Refrigeration ACCUPLACER Reading and Arithmetic tests  
Automotive Technology ACCUPLACER Reading and Arithmetic tests  
Computer Operations Technology ACCUPLACER Reading and Arithmetic tests  
Diesel Equipment Mechanics ACCUPLACER Reading and Arithmetic tests  
Industrial Electricity ACCUPLACER Reading and Arithmetic tests  
Industrial Electronics ACCUPLACER Reading and Arithmetic tests  
Industrial Maintenance Mechanics ACCUPLACER Reading and Arithmetic tests  
Machine Tool Technology ACCUPLACER Reading and Arithmetic tests  
Motorcycle & Marine Service Tech. ACCUPLACER Reading and Arithmetic tests  
HS Diploma or GED is Required.
Program Admissions Test Additional Requirements
Massage Therapy ACCUPLACER Test or ACT Must Be College Level in Reading and Level 2 in Math
Medical Assistant ACCUPLACER Test or ACT Must Be College Level in Reading and Level 2 in Math
Practical Nursing ACCUPLACER Test or ACT Must Be College Level in Reading and Level 2 in Math
Surgical Technology ACCUPLACER Test or ACT Must Be College Level in Reading and Level 2 in Math

Chattanooga State is a TBR institution and an EOE/AA/Title VI/Title IX Sections 504/ADA employer.


Steps to Apply

Check mark Complete the Application

  • Online
  • Paper - can be printed or picked up/submitted on campus in the TCAT Student Services Department (Room 20 of the TCAT building).

Check mark Apply for Financial Aid

All prospective TCAT students who reside in Tennessee are encouraged to apply for the Wilder-Naifeh Technical Skills Grant by submitting a FAFSA.
Complete the FAFSA at StudentAid.GOV
Chattanooga State code: 003998.

Check mark Submit Academic Transcripts & Test Scores.

  • Submit official copies of academic transcripts from every institution attended.
  • Submit ACTSAT, or ACCUPLACER test scores.
  • Schedule a placement test if applicable.

Check mark Obtain Required Student Credentials

  • TigerID – Gym/Health & Fitness Building (Room 180)
  • Parking Permit - TCAT Building (Rooms 14 & 20), or Bursar's Office (Student Center, Room 140​)
  • Other - Some programs require additional permits in order to register. Visit TCAT Building (Room 20) for more info.

Check mark Register, Pay & Confirm

  • Register for Classes - Using your TigerID and password provided by Chattanooga State, log in to Tiger Web to register for classes.
  • Pay Your Tuition & Fees by the registration deadline to avoid having your classes automatically dropped.
  • Confirm Your Classes -

Financial Aid students are confirmed if they have enough financial aid to cover their tuition and fees. Financial Aid students should log into TigerWeb, select “Pay My Fees” and confirm that they have enough financial aid to cover their tuition and fees, or pay the difference.

Non-Financial Aid student's classes are automatically confirmed once tuition and fees are paid.

Apply Now

 


Questions

TCAT Student Services Department at (423-697-4433)

Application Status Check