On This Page
FAQs: Registered Nurses Canadian Competency Assessment Program
General
What is the Registered Nurses Canadian Competency Assessment Program?
The Registered Nurses Canadian Competency Assessment Program (RNCCAP) is an evaluation that enables you to demonstrate the nursing knowledge, skill and judgment you obtained from your nursing education and experience through an Objective Structured Clinical Examination (OSCE).
Is the OSCE virtual or in-person?
The RNCCAP is offered both in-person (Toronto) and virtually, depending on the date. Further information about the RNCCAP format can be found on the Touchstone website.
How do I apply for the RNCCAP?
You must be referred by CNO. If you do not meet the nursing education requirement based on an assessment of your nursing education and any experience, CNO will send your name and email contact information to Touchstone Institute. Touchstone will contact you by email about registering for an upcoming session.
What about RPN and NP applicants?
If you are applying to become an RPN or NP, and CNO finds gaps in your nursing education and experience, you will be given the option to complete a Competency Assessment Supplement.
Is there a French version of the RNCCAP?
No. The RNCCAP is available in English only. If you apply to CNO and would like to complete an alternative nursing education equivalency assessment in French, contact CNO in writing. Please note that there is a fee for this evaluation option.
How much does the RNCCAP cost?
You will find the most recent fee information on Touchstone's website. This is separate from other application and registration fees CNO requires.
Do I have to complete the RNCCAP if CNO tells me I have competency gaps?
No. You can complete additional nursing education, instead of the RNCCAP, to meet your competency gaps. Once completed, CNO will review your additional education and determine if you meet the nursing education requirement. However, if you still have competency gaps, you still have the option to complete the RNCCAP.
What if I don’t finish the RNCCAP?
It is important to be prepared to take the RNCCAP. If you arrive at Touchstone on the day of your assessment, and you feel you are not able to complete any part of the RNCCAP for any reason, do not begin the RNCCAP. Before the test starts, tell a Touchstone examiner that you are not able to participate and contact CNO for further instructions. If you withdraw before starting any part of the evaluation, you will be permitted to reschedule at another date.
If you start the evaluation but are unable to continue, tell a Touchstone examiner. They will document your reasons for withdrawing and send this information to CNO.
I am not currently living in Canada. How do I obtain a travel visa to enter Canada for my in-person RNCCAP?
You may request a Letter of Participation from Touchstone Institute.
Objective Structured Clinical Examination
What is an Objective Structured Clinical Examination?
An Objective Structured Clinical Examination (OSCE) is an assessment that allows applicants to demonstrate their nursing knowledge, skill and judgment in a simulated health care setting.
During the OSCE, applicants rotate between stations, interacting with patient-actors who present with different health issues. Please refer to Touchstone’s resources and sample OSCE scenarios.
Why does CNO use an OSCE to assess applicants?
An OSCE allows applicants to demonstrate their knowledge, skill and judgment in a setting that is as close as possible to real-life nursing experiences they would encounter in Ontario.
What areas of skill and knowledge does the OSCE assess?
The OSCE is based on Entry-to-Practice Competencies for Registered Nurses, which includes all the competencies that a practicing Canadian nurse is expected to possess. Please refer to Touchstone Institute’s website under Exam Format to learn more about the content and blueprint.
Preparing for the RNCCAP
How do I prepare for the RNCCAP?
It is important to ensure you are ready to take the evaluation. Touchstone Institute has resources available to help you prepare for the RNCCAP.
The RNCCAP will assess many areas of your foundational knowledge including the sciences and humanities, as well as your ability to communicate.
Communication is a key part of the OSCE. This includes:
- reading charts or notes related to health issues
- participating in a conversation with a patient or another health professional
- completing a health assessment to take a history
- documenting care provided
- discussing the specifics of a health scenario
Your ability to complete the evaluation can be affected by challenges in communicating effectively in English. You should be confident that you can read, write, listen and speak English at a level that allows you to practice nursing safely in Ontario.
To help you prepare, you can also:
- review Entry-to-Practice Competencies for Registered Nurses
- review CNO’s practice standards and guidelines
- review current nursing textbooks about nursing practice in Ontario
CNO's evaluation of the RNCCAP
How is the RNCCAP used as part of CNO’s evaluation?
Touchstone will provide CNO with your examinee report approximately eight weeks after your RNCCAP. Touchstone assigns one of three achievement levels to each assessment category as follows: Demonstrated, Partially demonstrated and Not Demonstrated.
CNO will determine, based on your performance, whether you have met the Nursing Education requirement or if you have competency gaps.
If you achieve an overall score of 3.5 or higher (out of five) on the RNCCAP you will meet the Nursing Education requirement.
If your overall score is less than 3.5, CNO will review your application and provide you with next steps. You may be advised to complete additional education to meet competency gaps and
CNO will assess your RNCCAP results along with any additional education and nursing practice as a whole.
After the RNCCAP
Can I appeal my evaluation results?
You must contact Touchstone Institute if you have any questions about your RNCCAP results.
Resources:
- Registered Nurses of Canada Competency Assessment Program (RNCCAP)
- Exam Details
- RNCCAP Participant Guide
- Entry-to-Practice Competencies for RNs
