CRNA Prerequisite Courses

Complete Requirements Guide for 2026

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Quick Answer

What prerequisite courses do I need for CRNA school?

Common CRNA prerequisites include chemistry, organic chemistry, biochemistry, statistics, physics, and anatomy & physiology. However, requirements vary significantly by program. Based on our analysis of 154 programs: 113 don't require organic chemistry, 138 don't require physics, and 68 don't require statistics. Always verify with your target programs.

Source: Analysis of COA-accredited programs

We pulled prerequisite data from all 154 COA-accredited CRNA programs so you do not have to cross-reference dozens of admissions pages between shifts. Every number below comes from real program requirements, updated regularly. Whether you are mapping out your first semester of prerequisites or checking if your BSN courses count, this page has the breakdown.

In This Article (4 sections)

Common Prerequisite Courses

What if you are taking courses you do not actually need? Prerequisite lists vary so much between programs that two applicants targeting different schools could have completely different course loads. Knowing your target programs' actual requirements before you register saves time and tuition.

Chemistry

General chemistry with lab. Foundation for pharmacology.

Usually required by all programs. Take at an accredited university.

Required by most

Organic Chemistry

Organic chemistry, often with lab. Builds on general chemistry.

If not required, basic chemistry is usually sufficient. Online courses may be accepted.

32 programs require 113 don't require →

Biochemistry

Biochemistry course. Essential for understanding drug metabolism.

Some programs accept organic chemistry in lieu of biochemistry.

7 programs require 138 don't require →

Statistics

Statistics course. Necessary for research and evidence-based practice.

A basic statistics course is sufficient. Biostatistics is a plus.

83 programs require 68 don't require →

Physics

Physics course. Understanding of gas laws, pressure, and mechanics.

Often a semester of physics with lab is sufficient.

7 programs require 138 don't require →

Anatomy & Physiology

Human anatomy and physiology. Usually completed during BSN.

Your BSN A&P courses usually count. Graduate-level is a plus.

Required by most

Research Methods

Research methods or evidence-based practice course.

Some programs teach research within the curriculum.

Some programs require 130 don't require →

Find Programs by Prerequisite Flexibility

One prerequisite filter can narrow your search from 154 programs down to a much shorter list. If you want to skip organic chemistry or physics, these links show you exactly which programs allow that.

No Organic Chemistry

Programs not requiring orgo

113

No Physics

Programs not requiring physics

138

No Statistics

Programs not requiring stats

68

No Biochemistry

Programs not requiring biochem

138

Tips for Completing Prerequisites

You have been stressing about fitting coursework around 12-hour shifts, and the good news is that most ICU nurses spread prerequisites across 2 to 3 semesters while working full-time. One course at a time is a sustainable pace.

Take Them Early

Complete prerequisites during your first year of ICU experience. Don't wait until you're ready to apply.

Aim for A's

Prerequisite grades are scrutinized. Retake courses if needed to improve grades. It shows commitment.

Check Recency Requirements

Many programs require prerequisites within 5-7 years. Older coursework may need to be retaken.

Verify Online Acceptance

Before taking online courses, confirm your target programs accept them, especially for lab sciences.

Not sure if you're competitive enough?

Get personalized insights on your GPA, ICU experience, and credentials. See exactly what gaps to focus on to strengthen your application.

Browse All Programs

Frequently Asked Questions

What prerequisite courses do I need for CRNA school?

Most CRNA programs require 5 to 7 prerequisite courses: chemistry, organic chemistry, biochemistry, statistics, physics, anatomy and physiology, and sometimes research methods. The exact list depends on which programs you are targeting. 113 programs skip organic chemistry entirely, 138 do not require physics, and 68 waive statistics. That means two applicants targeting different schools could have very different course loads. The COA sets the accreditation standards, but each program decides its own prerequisite requirements within those guidelines. At The CRNA Club, we track prerequisite requirements across all 154 programs so you can build a course plan that matches your specific target list.

Do I need organic chemistry for CRNA school?

113 CRNA programs currently do not require organic chemistry. Programs that do require it want you to understand molecular structures, functional groups, and reaction mechanisms that show up again in pharmacology. A single semester of organic chemistry with lab is the standard ask. Some programs accept biochemistry as a substitute, and a few accept general chemistry II instead. If organic chemistry is not required by any of your target schools, you can skip it entirely and spend that time on courses they do require. Want to check which programs need it? You can filter by prerequisite in The CRNA Club's free School Database.

Do I need physics for CRNA school?

138 programs do not require physics as a prerequisite. Programs that include physics in their requirements want you to understand gas laws, fluid dynamics, and pressure relationships, all concepts that directly apply to ventilator management and anesthesia gas delivery. A single semester of algebra-based physics with lab typically satisfies the requirement. Calculus-based physics is not required by any CRNA program we track. If physics feels intimidating, know that the content is more applied than theoretical at this level. You will study Boyle's law, Dalton's law, and Henry's law, which come up constantly in anesthesia practice.

Can I take prerequisites online?

About 70% of CRNA programs accept online prerequisites for non-lab courses like statistics and research methods. The acceptance rate drops for lab sciences like chemistry and organic chemistry, where many programs still want in-person lab components. Community colleges and universities like UNE, Oregon State, and Portage Learning offer popular online options that most programs recognize. Before enrolling, check your target programs' admissions pages for specific language about online coursework. Some programs require that online courses come from regionally accredited institutions, which rules out certain certificate programs. The safest approach is to email admissions coordinators at your top 3 schools and ask directly.

When should I take prerequisites?

The best time to start prerequisites is during your first year of ICU experience. Most programs require prerequisites completed within 5 to 7 years of your application date, and recent coursework is preferred for sciences. Spreading courses across 2 to 3 semesters while working full-time is realistic for most ICU nurses, especially if you are juggling 12-hour shifts. Taking one course per semester keeps the workload manageable without burning you out before CRNA school even starts. Programs view recent high grades more favorably than older coursework, even if the older grades were good. If you finished your BSN more than 5 years ago, check whether your target programs require you to retake anatomy or chemistry.

What if my BSN program covered these subjects?

BSN courses in anatomy, physiology, and general chemistry usually satisfy CRNA prerequisites for those subjects. About half of programs accept undergraduate-level courses without requiring graduate-level equivalents. The sticking points tend to be statistics, organic chemistry, and biochemistry, which many BSN programs do not include. Some programs also distinguish between "intro" and "upper-level" coursework, so a Chemistry 101 course may not count if a program specifies a 200-level or above. Pull up your transcript and compare it against each target program's prerequisite list line by line. The CRNA Club's free Transcript Analyzer can help you sort your science GPA from your cumulative GPA quickly.

Do prerequisites need to be from a specific type of school?

Prerequisites must come from regionally accredited institutions, which includes most community colleges, state universities, and established online programs. Community college courses are accepted by the majority of CRNA programs for general requirements like statistics and general chemistry. For upper-level sciences like organic chemistry and biochemistry, some programs prefer courses from four-year universities, though this is not universal. Nationally accredited institutions (common with trade schools and some online-only schools) may not be accepted. If you are unsure about a school's accreditation status, check the U.S. Department of Education's database. The safest path is to take courses from your local community college or state university system.

How do I know what my target program requires?

Each program publishes its prerequisite list on its admissions page, and The CRNA Club tracks these requirements across all 154 COA-accredited programs. Start by building a list of 5 to 8 target schools and comparing their prerequisites side by side. You will usually find significant overlap in the core courses (chemistry, anatomy, physiology) with variation in the extras (physics, organic chemistry, research methods). Requirements do change year to year, so always confirm with the program directly before making course decisions. Emailing the admissions coordinator is the fastest way to get a definitive answer. You can build and compare your target list using our free School Database.

Our Final Thoughts

Prerequisites are one of the most time-consuming parts of preparing for CRNA school, and getting them wrong means wasted semesters. Our advice: build your target program list first, then map out only the courses those programs actually require. Working backward from your application deadline keeps you on track without overloading your schedule between shifts.

If you are not sure which courses you still need, The CRNA Club's free Transcript Analyzer breaks down your science and cumulative GPA so you can see where you stand. You can also use our free School Database to filter programs by prerequisite flexibility and compare full admission requirements side by side. For the complete application roadmap, check out our guide to becoming a CRNA.

Prerequisite data sourced from 154 COA-accredited programs and cross-referenced with AANA resources. Requirements change, so always verify with individual programs before enrolling in courses. Learn about our methodology →

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