Admitted Students Checklists
Welcome to the UIC College of Nursing! The checklists below will guide you through the essential steps to ensure a smooth transition into your program.
General requirements | Program-specific requirements | Compliance requirements
General requirements for all students Heading link

Please complete each task by the designated deadline (where noted) to stay on track.
Before classes begin:
- Activate your UIC NetID, UIC Email, and myUIC Account
- Activate your UIUC NetID (if Urbana student) and UIS NetID (if Springfield student)
- Register for classes (must meet compliance requirements first)
- Submit official transcripts (if applicable, see program-specific details)
- Review financial aid & submit any required forms to nursefinaid@uic.edu
- Request accommodations (if needed, contact the Disability Resource Center)
- Springfield students contact the UIS Office of Disability Services
- Enroll or waive university health insurance:
- Chicago students: Automatically enrolled in CampusCare unless waived (Waiver Form)
- Springfield students: Automatically enrolled in UIS Student Insurance unless waived (UIS Waiver)
- Urbana students: Automatically enrolled in UIUC Student Insurance unless waived (UIUC Waiver)
- Familiarize yourself with Blackboard via Blackboard Student Guide
- Review campus safety resources:
- UIC SAFE App & Emergency Notification System
- UIC Escort Services
- UIS Safety Resources (Springfield)
- UIUC Safety Resources (Urbana)
Program-specific requirements Heading link
For BSN Students (Chicago, Springfield, Urbana)
- Connect with your academic advisor by emailing oaessadvisors@uic.edu
- Review the PREPARE website for mandatory dates and sessions
- Order uniforms & supplies:
- Apply for student housing & parking (if needed):
- Decide on a meal plan (if applicable):
- Obtain iCard (if new to University of Illinois)
- • If UIC Nursing Chicago or Springfield: Obtain a UIC iCard
- • If UIC Nursing Urbana: Obtain a UIUC iCard
- Send official transcripts to the UIC Office of Admissions
- Review student handbook and submit the student handbook acknowledgment form
For MSN/Graduate-Entry Students (Chicago, Rockford, Urbana)
- Connect with your academic advisor by emailing oaessadvisors@uic.edu
- Review the PREPARE website for mandatory dates and sessions
- Order uniforms and supplies
- Apply for student housing and parking (if needed)
- Decide on a meal plan (if applicable)
- Obtain iCard (if new to University of Illinois)
- If UIC Nursing Chicago or Springfield: Obtain a UIC iCard
- If UIC Nursing Urbana: Obtain a UIUC iCard
- Send official transcripts to the UIC Graduate Office of Admissions
- Review student handbook and submit the student handbook acknowledgment form
For DNP Students
- Connect with your DNP specialty director via email
- Attend UIC Nursing DNP Post-Admission Q&A Panel (March 20 at 6pm)
- Obtain UIC iCard (if new to UIC)
- Send official transcripts to the UIC Graduate Office of Admissions
- Review student handbook, DNP supplemental student handbook and submit the student handbook acknowledgment form
- Explore University Library resources
For PhD Students
- Connect with your faculty advisor
- Obtain UIC iCard (if new to UIC)
- Send official transcripts to the UIC Graduate Office of Admissions
- Review student handbook, PhD supplemental student handbook and submit the student handbook acknowledgment form
- Explore research and University Library resources
Compliance requirements for all students Heading link

To be eligible for clinical and academic activities, all students must complete the following compliance steps. For a comprehensive guide and mandatory deadlines please visit the New Student Compliance page which takes you through this in-depth process.
1). Order CastleBranch package and create account (CastleBranch Portal).
- Pre-Clinical Nursing Compliance →code “UA08″: Background Check – Drug Test – Medical Document Manager.
2). Complete drug test and background check through CastleBranch
- Order background check & drug test through CastleBranch. Results typically post within 3-5 business days. If no results after 5 days, contact CastleBranch.
- CastleBranch assigns a drug test location based on home zip code. If it’s more than an hour away, call to request a “secondary” location.
- For positive drug tests, CastleBranch’s Medical Review Officer (MRO) will verify prescriptions or request further details before clearing the result.
- Background check results are reviewed by the College of Nursing, which may request clarification if needed.
- Required upon admission. Clinical sites may require additional background checks or drug tests at the student’s expense.
3). Schedule and complete American Heart Association ‘BLS Provider’ CPR course
4). Schedule vaccines and titers with healthcare provider, clinic or lab
- Positive titers required:
- Measles (Rubeola), Mumps and Rubella IGG Titers
- Varicella Zoster IGG Titer
- Hepatitis B Surface Antibody (AB) Titer
- TB test: Negative TB Skin Test or QuantiFERON-TB Gold Test (within the last 12 months)
- TDAP vaccine: Within the last 10 years
- Meningitis vaccine: Required if under 22 (given on or after the 16th birthday)
- Influenza vaccine: Due 10/15 (not required before Fall registration)
5). Obtain and upload compliance documentation
- Accepted formats: PDF or JPG (under 5MB)
- Mandatory Uploads:
- Lab reports, medical records or vaccine receipts
- American Heart Association ‘BLS Provider’ CPR Card or eCard
- HIPAA Compliance Form (Watch HIPAA training video before completing compliance form)
* Click here for form and training video - Government-Issued ID (Driver’s License, State ID or Passport)
- RN License (if applicable)
6). Monitor compliance status in CastleBranch
- Read all emails about deadlines and next steps coming from CastleBranch.
Training videos available on their website address most issues and questions - Contact CastleBranch Help Desk at (888) 723-4263, or log in and click “Contact Us” at the top center of the webpage.
Questions about compliance issues? Heading link
Attend an upcoming UIC Nursing Compliance Virtual Town Hall:
All town hall events will be held virtually from 6:30 to 8 p.m. Click below on the preferred date to register and attend.