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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 continues to be administered by Touchstone Institute. 

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

The RNCCAP uses the format 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 and practice (if applicable), 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 competency gaps after assessing your nursing education (i.e., NNAS Advisory Report) and any nursing experience, we will notify you that you have the option to complete 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. Note: It is your choice whether you would like to complete the RNCCAP as part of your RN Application. 
  5. About eight weeks after you complete the RNCCAP, CNO will receive your results and review them with any other information in your application (e.g., any additional education or practice). 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 additional education to address any remaining competency gaps.

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Page last reviewed September 21, 2023