Touchstone Institute

What Touchstone Institute does

Touchstone Institute is a non-profit corporation founded in 2006 and headquartered in Toronto, Canada, that delivers competency assessment and learning programs for internationally educated health professionals (IEHPs) and Canadian-trained graduates seeking licensure. The organization operates a 52-room purpose-built examination facility with 100+ tablets and is designated as the assessment administrator for multiple Canadian regulatory colleges, including the College of Nurses of Ontario (RNCCAP-IENCAP), the College of Registered Nurses of Alberta (RNCCAP-ARNAP), the College of Licensed Practical Nurses of Alberta (ALPNCE), the College of Optometrists of Ontario (IGOEE), the College of Dietitians of Ontario (KCAT), and the Medical Council of Canada (NAC OSCE, MCCQE Part II), as well as running the ART Lab Exam for the Canadian Fertility and Andrology Society and language assessments CELBAN and CELAO. Core technology includes the UCAN-built tOSCE tablet-based OSCE scoring application, tEXAM for MCQ delivery, and the UCAN Item Management System, complemented by proprietary frameworks including the 360° Communicative Competence at Work framework and the AI-assisted Nurse Ready mobile app.

The business model is a hybrid of exam-fee revenue and government grant funding. Candidates pay per exam at price points ranging from CAN $425 (KCAT) to CAN $5,000 (IGOEE), paid through credit card, Visa Debit, or PayPal, processed via Moneris. Distribution is primarily driven by regulatory body referrals, with additional channels including virtual OSCE delivery via Zoom, a self-service registration portal, a third-party exam site network, and Edmonton and University of Alberta locations. Learning programs (Pre-Residency Program, Canadian Medicine Primer, ComSim) generate additional, unreported revenue. Core government funders include the Government of Ontario (primary funder of Practice Ready Ontario) and the Government of Canada's Foreign Credentials Recognition Program (Nurse Ready App funding). The customer base is concentrated in healthcare regulatory bodies and Ontario provincial health system partners, with candidates being the secondary paying users.

Name

Touchstone Institute

Legal name

Touchstone Institute

Website

https://touchstoneinstitute.ca

Company type

Private

Founded year

2006

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Touchstone Institute is a Toronto-based non-profit that designs and administers high-stakes competency assessments and learning programs for internationally educated health professionals seeking licensure in Canada, partnering with provincial and national healthcare regulatory bodies.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Healthcare Competency Assessment and Licensing Examination Services

NAICS

Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services (54), Other Scientific and Technical Consulting Services (541690)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200), Services-Health Services (8000)

akta.pro primary industry

Nursing & Allied Health Certification Prep (CNA, EMT/Paramedic, Radiology, Sonography, PT/OT) (EDANAIAB)

akta.pro secondary industries

Healthcare & Medical Licensure Exam Prep (USMLE/COMLEX, NCLEX, Dentistry, Pharmacy, PA) (EDANAIAA), Test Item Banks, Question Authoring & Assessment Design Tools (EDAFADAC)

Keywords

• Healthcare competency assessment
• Professional licensure examinations
• Internationally educated nurses
• Objective structured clinical exams
• Healthcare curriculum development

Headquarters

HQ city

Toronto

HQ country

Canada

HQ region

North America

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Assessment and Examination Fees: Touchstone Institute generates revenue through examination fees charged to healthcare professionals seeking competency assessments. Fees vary by assessment type, ranging from CAN $425 for the KCAT to CAN $5,000 for the IGOEE. Both virtual and in-person delivery options are available with different price points.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

Touchstone Institute develops, validates, and administers high-stakes competency assessments and orientation curricula for healthcare professionals, primarily those educated outside Canada seeking licensure. The core offering consists of standardized written and clinical (OSCE) examinations for nurses, physicians, optometrists, dietitians, and other health professionals, delivered through a purpose-built Toronto facility, virtual platforms, and partner sites. Supplementary offerings include learning programs (Pre-Residency, Practice Ready Ontario, Canadian Medicine Primer), the AI-powered Nurse Ready app, and assessment design/curriculum services for regulators and governments.

Product overview

Touchstone Institute operates as a competency assessment and education organization offering a portfolio of standardized examinations for healthcare professionals and learning programs for internationally educated health professionals. The core assessment products include regulatory college partnerships (ALPNCE, RNCCAP-ARNAP, RNCCAP-IENCAP, IGOEE, CELAO, CELBAN, KCAT, ART Lab Exam) that serve as gatekeeping examinations for professional licensure in Canada. The learning division provides Pre-Residency Program, Pre-Residency Program-Family Medicine, Canadian Medicine Primer, and Communication through Simulation. The organization also offers the AI-powered Nurse Ready mobile app for communicative competency self-assessment. All programs are supported by proprietary simulation services, tablet-based examination technology (tOSCE, tEXAM), and assessment design expertise. The organization serves as a Toronto-based exam centre and partners with UCAN for assessment technology infrastructure.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Nurse Ready: A communication self-assessment mobile app for internationally educated nurses (IENs) to learn about communicative strategies in the Canadian healthcare setting
• 360° View of Communicative Competence at Work
• Communication through Simulation (ComSim)
• tOSCE
• tEXAM

Products and services

• Alberta Licensed Practical Nurses Competency Examination (ALPNCE) Two-part competency examination (MCQ and OSCE) for LPN registration in Alberta, based on CLPNA entry-level competencies. Administered on behalf of the College of Licensed Practical Nurses of Alberta; CAN $2,250 per exam.
• Registered Nurses Canadian Competency Assessment Program – Alberta (RNCCAP-ARNAP) Standardized OSCE examination testing knowledge, skills and judgement of internationally educated nurses seeking RN registration in Alberta. In-person OSCE CAN $1,900; Virtual OSCE CAN $1,900. Self-referral model available.
• Registered Nurses Canadian Competency Assessment Program – Ontario (RNCCAP-IENCAP) Standardized OSCE examination testing knowledge, skills and judgement of internationally educated nurses seeking nursing registration in Ontario, developed with the College of Nurses of Ontario. In-person OSCE CAN $1,500; Virtual OSCE CAN $1,750.
• Internationally Graduated Optometrist Evaluating Examination (IGOEE) Multi-component examination (TPAO, MCQ, Short Case OSCE, Long Case OSCE) for internationally graduated optometrists, developed with the College of Optometrists of Ontario. CAN $5,000.
• Knowledge and Competency Assessment Tool (KCAT) Virtual MCQ examination assessing foundational knowledge and competency of dietitian applicants applying for Ontario registration, developed with the College of Dietitians of Ontario. CAN $425.
• Canadian English Language Benchmark Assessment for Nurses (CELBAN) Profession-specific language assessment for internationally educated nurses, recognized by Canadian nursing regulatory bodies. Delivered as computer-based exam with virtual interview; administered nationally through The CELBAN Centre.
• Canadian English Language Assessment for Optometrists (CELAO) Profession-specific language assessment evaluating spoken interactions, written communication, and comprehension for internationally educated optometrists. Offered through University of Waterloo referrals.
• Assisted Reproductive Technology Laboratory Exam (ART Lab Exam) Certification examination for professionals working in Assisted Reproductive Technology Laboratories in Canada, developed with the Canadian Fertility and Andrology Society.
• Medical Council of Canada Exams (NAC OSCE, MCCQE Part II) Host site for National Assessment Collaboration examination and MCCQE Part II for International Medical Graduates, delivered on behalf of the Medical Council of Canada at the Toronto facility.
• Practice Ready Ontario (PRO) Practice-ready assessment program for internationally educated family physicians, featuring eligibility review, verification, and 12-week Clinical Field Assessment with Return of Service commitment. Developed with Government of Ontario, Ontario Health, CPSO, and MCC.
• Pre-Residency Program (PRP) Mandatory hybrid (virtual and in-person) orientation program for IMGs matched to Royal College specialty programs in Ontario, featuring Foundations and Advanced Modules.
• Pre-Residency Program – Family Medicine (PRP-FM) Mandatory two-phase program for IMGs matched to Family Medicine in Ontario, with Phase 1 at Touchstone Institute and Phase 2 at the matched university.
• Canadian Medicine Primer (CMP) Orientation program for visa trainees (residents and fellows) at Ontario universities, available in hybrid, virtual-synchronous, and virtual-asynchronous formats.
• Communication through Simulation (ComSim) Formative intercultural communication program using non-clinical simulation to improve workplace communication competence for internationally educated health professionals.
• Nurse Ready App AI-powered mobile app for self-assessment of professional language and communication skills for internationally educated nurses in Canada, available free on iOS and Android.
• Simulation Program Standardized client services for high-stakes assessments and formative evaluations, including scenario development, training, and professional exam environment facilities.
• Assessment Design and Administration Services End-to-end exam development, validation, and administration services using tablet technology and UCAN platform, including psychometric analysis and reporting for partner organizations.

Quantifiable outcome

• RNCCAP standardized examination eliminates MCQ component, streamlining the assessment process for IENs
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers8 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration5 records

AI capability2 records

Feature5 records

Partnerships

17 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Government of OntariocoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPrimary funder of Practice Ready Ontario program and Touchstone Institute operations. Government of Ontario provides funding and policy oversight for physician integration initiatives.
• Ontario HealthcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerHealthcare system partner for Practice Ready Ontario program delivery, working to accelerate physician integration into Ontario's healthcare workforce.
• College of Physicians and Surgeons of Ontario (CPSO)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerRegulatory partner for Practice Ready Ontario, administering provisional certificates and overseeing physician licensure for internationally educated family physicians.
• Medical Council of Canada (MCC)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNational body setting pan-Canadian standards for practice-ready assessments. Touchstone administers MCC examinations including NAC OSCE and MCCQE Part II. PRO meets MCC strict pan-Canadian standards.
• College of Registered Nurses of Alberta (CRNA)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerARNAP/RNCCAP examination developed and administered in consultation with CRNA for internationally educated nurses seeking RN registration in Alberta.
• College of Nurses of Ontario (CNO)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerIENCAP/RNCCAP examination developed in consultation with CNO for internationally educated nurses seeking RN registration in Ontario. CNO refers candidates to Touchstone assessments.
• College of Licensed Practical Nurses of Alberta (CLPNA)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerALPNCE examination based on CLPNA Competency Profile for Licensed Practical Nurses. CLPNA refers candidates and exam is aligned with Alberta LPN entry-level competencies.
• College of Optometrists of OntariocoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerIGOEE created in collaboration with College of Optometrists of Ontario for assessing internationally graduated optometrists against Canadian optometric program standards.
• Federation of Optometric Regulatory Authorities of Canada (FORAC)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNational body recognizing IGOEE examination. FORAC refers candidates to Touchstone Institute for optometrist competency assessments across Canada.
• College of Dietitians of Ontario (CDO)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerKCAT developed in collaboration with CDO for assessing foundational knowledge and competency of dietitian applicants applying for Ontario registration.
• Canadian Fertility and Andrology Society (CFAS)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerART Lab Exam developed by CFAS ART Laboratory Special Interest Group and Touchstone Institute. CFAS selects and registers examinees, Touchstone administers the certification exam.
• Centre for Canadian Language Benchmarks (CCLB)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership strengthens support for CELBAN, Canada's nursing-specific language exam. CCLB provides Canadian Language Benchmarks framework alignment for the Nurse Ready app.
• The CELBAN CentrecoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorNational administration of CELBAN assessment across Canada through The CELBAN Centre, which handles registration and exam delivery coordination.
• University of Waterloo School of OptometrycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCELAO language assessment offered through University of Waterloo referrals. Touchstone leads test administration, development, and renewal efforts for optometry-specific English language assessment.
• Umbrella Consortium for Assessment Networks (UCAN)coreTechnology or IntegrationNon-profit consortium developing leading-edge exam technology. UCAN provides Item Management System (IMS), tOSCE, and tEXAM applications used by Touchstone Institute for all assessments.
• HealthForceOntariominorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorPreparation courses for RNCCAP-IENCAP available through HealthForceOntario, helping internationally educated nurses prepare for Ontario nursing registration.
• CARE Centre for Internationally Educated NursesminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorPreparation courses for RNCCAP-IENCAP available through CARE Centre for Internationally Educated Nurses.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights12 records

Broad incumbents

• Pearson VUE: Worldwide computer-based testing network used by many healthcare certification and licensure programs. Represents the primary outsourced delivery alternative for regulators who might not renew with Touchstone.
• Educational Testing Service (ETS): Large, established US-headquartered assessment organization operating across professional licensing, education, and certification. A much broader incumbent than Touchstone, but shares the high-stakes standardized-testing operating model at far greater scale.
• Prometric: Global test delivery and test-center operator serving professional licensure, healthcare, and certification clients. Could credibly compete for regulator contracts that today run through Touchstone's Toronto centre.

Direct peers

• Medical Council of Canada (MCC): National body that develops the NAC OSCE and MCCQE Part II exams. Touchstone is a contracted host site for these exams and co-delivers Practice Ready Ontario, making MCC a partner that also functionally occupies the same competency-assessment space for physicians.
• Commission on Graduates of Foreign Nursing Schools (CGFNS): US non-profit that credentials and assesses internationally educated nurses for US licensure. Closest international analogue to Touchstone's IEN programs (RNCCAP-IENCAP, RNCCAP-ARNAP, ALPNCE), with a similar regulator-referred, exam-and-document-verification model.
• Canadian Alliance of Physiotherapy Regulators (CAPR): Canada-wide credentialing and competency assessment organization for internationally educated physiotherapists. Same regulatory-referred, exam-based model as Touchstone's nursing/medical programs, applied to a different allied health profession.
• Pharmacy Examining Board of Canada (PEBC): National Canadian body that evaluates and examines candidates (including internationally educated pharmacists) for licensure. Runs a comparable competency-assessment pipeline aligned to provincial colleges in the same way Touchstone does.
• National Dental Examining Board of Canada (NDEB): Canadian non-profit that designs and administers competency assessments for both Canadian-trained and internationally trained dentists seeking licensure. Operates the same regulatory-pipeline assessment model as Touchstone, just for a different profession.

Regional players

• Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA): Australian national regulator that registers and assesses internationally educated healthcare practitioners across 16 professions. Operates a comparable competency-and-licensure framework to Canada's regulator-college model, though serves a different geography.

Others

• World Education Services (WES): Canadian credential evaluation service used by internationally educated professionals in the same upstream candidate pool as Touchstone. Different service (academic credential evaluation rather than clinical competency assessment), but tightly intertwined with the IEHP journey.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/touchstone_inst
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/touchstone-institute

Compliance1 record

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Touchstone Institute