Registered Nurses Canadian Competency Assessment Program

The Registered Nurses Canadian Competency Assessment Program (RNCCAP), formerly the Internationally Educated Nurses Competency Assessment Program (IENCAP), is a standardized evaluation of the knowledge, skill and judgment for internationally educated nurses (IENs) applying to become RNs in Ontario. The RNCCAP is administered by Touchstone Institute. 

The RNCCAP is based on the Entry-to-Practice Competencies for Registered Nurses, which describes the competencies an entry-level RN is expected to possess based on their education and experience. 

The RNCCAP uses the format of an Objective Structured Clinical Examination (OSCE) for the evaluation, which takes place in a setting similar to real-life healthcare situations in Ontario. 

If you do not meet the Nursing Education requirement after an assessment of your nursing education, you will have the option to complete the RNCCAP.

The RNCCAP Process

To qualify for and complete the RNCCAP:

  1. You must be a current RN applicant with CNO.
  2. If CNO identifies that you do not meet Substantial Equivalence after assessing your nursing education, we will notify you that you have options to meet the Education requirement, including the completion of the RNCCAP.
  3. CNO will send your name and email contact information to Touchstone Institute. It is important to update CNO with any changes to your contact information, including your email address.
  4. Touchstone will contact you by email with instructions about registering with their applicant portal for the next RNCCAP exam. Touchstone charges an evaluation fee that is separate from CNO’s application fee.
  5. About eight weeks after you complete the RNCCAP, CNO will receive your results. CNO will advise you of your next steps through the Applicant Portal:
    • If you meet the Nursing Education requirement, CNO will advise you that you are eligible to write the registration exam (if you have not already passed the NCLEX-RN.)
    • If you do not meet the Nursing Education requirement, CNO will advise you to complete the Education Pathway.

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