Metro Institute, Inc.

What Metro Institute, Inc. does

Metro Institute, Inc. is a privately held Arizona corporation founded in January 2000 that operates as a dedicated test administration services provider for state pesticide regulatory agencies in 16 U.S. states. The company administers certification and licensure exams for licensed pesticide applicators, pest control professionals, and agricultural applicators under exclusive contracts with agencies such as the Arizona Department of Agriculture Pest Management Division, the Texas Department of Agriculture, and the Washington State Department of Agriculture. Metro also operates ancillary services in Arizona including in-person pre-certification training, continuing education units (CEUs) delivered via the separately branded MetroCEUs.com platform, and fingerprinting services at its Phoenix headquarters.

The core product is the iCBT (Internet/Computer-Based Testing) platform — a Microsoft enterprise server-based web application that handles end-to-end exam delivery including registration, application management, scheduling, payment, proctored exam delivery, scoring, agency reporting, and exam security. Since its 2003 launch, iCBT has delivered more than 500,000 exams with no security breaches, data loss, or major service disruptions across 24 years of operation. The platform is supplemented by remote proctored testing delivered through a partnership with Talview (available in Idaho, Indiana, Michigan, Montana, and South Carolina), an integrated Apply-to-Test application management module with employer-side Company Rep accounts, and the MetroSignup.com self-service scheduling system. AI-powered fraud detection is provided by Talview and combined with live human proctors maintaining a one-to-one ratio, with the proctor retaining authority to terminate exam sessions in real time.

Metro's revenue is primarily transaction-based: individual test takers pay exam fees ranging from $50 to $65 per exam depending on the state partner and exam type (e.g., $50 in Arizona, $58 in Washington and Montana, $64 for Texas Structural/Agricultural, $65 for Michigan remote and Idaho general public), processed through MetroSignup.com via credit card or PayPal. The go-to-market combines direct enterprise sales to state agencies (including RFP consultation and demonstration support) with a self-service PLG channel for individual candidates. End customers are split between state pesticide regulatory agencies (B2G, primary), individual pesticide applicators (B2C), and pest control companies using Company Rep accounts (B2B). Metro Institute is independently owned and operated with no disclosed venture capital, private equity, or parent company structure.

Name

Metro Institute, Inc.

Legal name

Metro Institute, Inc.

Website

https://metroinstitute.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2000

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Metro Institute, Inc. is a privately held Arizona-based test administration services provider that delivers exclusive internet/computer-based certification and licensure exams for state pesticide regulatory agencies across 16 U.S. states, serving licensed pesticide applicators, pest control professionals, and the state agencies that regulate them.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Computer-Based Certification Testing

NAICS

Testing Laboratories and Services (541380)

SIC

Services-Testing Laboratories (8734)

akta.pro primary industry

Integrated Pest Management (IPM) Programs & Monitoring (AFACAGAA)

Keywords

• Computer-based testing
• Pesticide certification exams
• Remote proctored testing
• Licensure test administration
• Continuing education services

Headquarters

HQ city

Phoenix

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Software

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Exam Administration Fees: Transaction-based fees charged per exam taken. Individual test takers pay per exam when scheduling through the MetroSignup.com platform. Fees vary by state agency partner and exam type.
2. Training and CEU Services: Pre-certification training courses and Continuing Education Units (CEUs) offered in Arizona, both in-person at Phoenix location and online through MetroCEUs.com.
3. Fingerprinting/Background Check Services: Fingerprinting services offered at Phoenix location for Arizona OPM license applicants, including paperwork and money orders.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Metro Institute provides internet/computer-based testing administration services exclusively for state pesticide regulatory agencies across 16 U.S. states. Its proprietary iCBT platform handles test registration, application processing, scheduling, payment, secure proctored exam delivery, automated scoring, and reporting. The company supplements iCBT with remote proctored testing (via Talview), application management tools, pre-certification training, CEU courses, and fingerprinting services.

Product overview

Metro Institute, Inc. offers a unified testing administration platform centered on its iCBT (Internet/Computer-Based Testing) system - a web-based software application for administering, scoring and reporting certification and licensure exams. The core iCBT platform is supplemented by several integrated services including Remote Proctored Testing (using Talview technology for at-home/office exam delivery), Application Management/Apply-to-Test functionality, and the MetroSignup.com scheduling platform. The company also provides supplementary education services through MetroCEUs.com for continuing education and Pre-Certification Training for exam preparation. Metro Institute serves exclusively as a service provider for state pesticide regulatory agencies, administering exams across 16 states. The company was founded in January 2000 and has delivered over 500,000 exams since 2003.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• iCBT: Internet/Computer-Based Testing system - a robust, feature-rich and secure web-based software application for administering, scoring and reporting test data.
• MOS (Metro Online Services)

Products and services

• iCBT (Internet/Computer-Based Testing) A web-based, secure software application built on Microsoft enterprise server technologies that handles test taker registration, application processing, exam scheduling and payment, high-stakes proctored exam delivery, agency management tools, scoring and analysis reporting, exam development, and exam security for state pesticide regulatory agencies.
• Remote Proctored Testing Online testing option that allows candidates to take exams from home or office with real-time monitoring by a live proctor combined with AI-powered fraud detection, integrated with the iCBT platform.
• MetroSignup.com (MOS - Metro Online Services) Self-service 24/7 online platform where test candidates can register, submit applications, schedule exams, and pay for testing services across all 16 partner states.
• Application Management (Apply-to-Test) Integrated application submission and review workflow that allows testing candidates to apply with their state agency and enables agency staff to edit, approve, deny, or request additional information on applications.
• MetroCEUs.com Online continuing education platform providing CEU courses for pesticide applicators, including online courses and access to in-person training and conference events.
• Pre-Certification Training In-person pre-certification training classes for pesticide applicator licensing exams offered at the Phoenix, AZ location, including exam preparation courses for Certified Applicator and Qualified Applicator licensing exams.
• Fingerprinting Services Fingerprinting and background check services for individuals applying for Arizona Office of Pest Management (OPM) licenses, including paperwork and money order handling.
• RFP Consultation Free consultation service for state pesticide regulatory agencies to initiate or improve their internet computer-based testing requests for proposals.

Quantifiable outcome

• Over 500,000 exams successfully delivered since 2003
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers16 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration1 record

AI capability4 records

Feature4 records

Partnerships

17 partnerships are on record, tiered core.

• TalviewcoreTechnology or IntegrationMetro Institute has partnered with Talview to integrate their secure proven test administration system with Talview's online remote test delivery technology. Talview provides AI-powered remote proctoring combined with live online proctors for real-time monitoring and fraud detection.
• Alabama Department of Agriculture & IndustriescoreOthersMetro Institute provides exclusive online computer-based testing services in Alabama for the Alabama Department of Agriculture & Industries (ADAI). Metro provides proctored testing sites throughout Alabama.
• Arizona Department of Agriculture - Pest Management DivisioncoreOthersMetro Institute provides online computer-based testing services in Arizona for the Pest Management Division (OPM). Metro proctored testing sites are conveniently located throughout Arizona.
• Colorado Department of AgriculturecoreOthersMetro Institute provides exclusive online computer-based testing services in Colorado for the Colorado Department of Agriculture (CDA).
• Idaho State Department of AgriculturecoreOthersMetro Institute provides online computer-based testing services in Idaho for the Idaho State Department of Agriculture (ISDA). Metro also administers the Bulk Milk Hauler Exam for ISDA.
• Office of Indiana State ChemistcoreOthersMetro Institute provides exclusive online computer-based testing services in Indiana for the Office of Indiana State Chemist (OISC).
• Maine Department of Agriculture, Conservation and ForestrycoreOthersMetro Institute provides online computer-based testing services in Maine for the Maine Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry (DACF).
• Michigan Department of Agriculture & Rural DevelopmentcoreOthersMetro Institute provides exclusive online computer-based testing services in Michigan for the Michigan Department of Agriculture & Rural Development (MDARD).
• Minnesota Department of AgriculturecoreOthersMetro Institute provides online computer-based testing services in Minnesota for the Minnesota Department of Agriculture (MDA).
• Mississippi Department of Agriculture & CommercecoreOthersMetro Institute provides exclusive online computer-based testing services in Mississippi for the Department of Agriculture & Commerce (MDAC).
• Montana Department of AgriculturecoreOthersMetro Institute provides exclusive online computer-based testing services in Montana for the Montana Department of Agriculture (MTDA).
• New Mexico Department of AgriculturecoreOthersMetro Institute provides exclusive computer-based testing services in New Mexico for the New Mexico Department of Agriculture (NMDA).
• Oregon Department of AgriculturecoreOthersMetro Institute provides exclusive online computer-based testing services in Oregon for the Oregon Department of Agriculture (ODA).
• Pennsylvania Department of AgriculturecoreOthersMetro Institute provides exclusive online computer-based testing services in Pennsylvania for the Department of Agriculture (PADA).
• South Carolina Department of Pesticide RegulationcoreOthersMetro Institute provides exclusive online computer-based testing services in South Carolina for the Department of Pesticide Regulation (DPR).
• Texas Department of AgriculturecoreOthersMetro Institute provides exclusive online computer-based testing services in Texas for the Texas Department of Agriculture (TDA). Metro administers Structural, Agricultural and Weights & Measures exams.
• Washington State Department of AgriculturecoreOthersMetro Institute provides exclusive computer-based testing services in Washington for the Washington State Department of Agriculture (WSDA).

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves5 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Emerging players

• ISO Quality Testing: Specialized testing services provider focused on regulatory and certification exam delivery, including pesticide applicator exams. Most direct niche competitor in the state pesticide testing market that Metro dominates.
• Questionmark: Provides enterprise assessment management software used by organizations to author, deliver, and score certification exams. A potential technology competitor or partner as agencies evaluate platform-based versus full-service testing providers.
• Talview: AI-powered remote proctoring platform that Metro has integrated for its remote-testing product. A partner today, Talview could become a competitor if it pursued end-to-end test administration for state agencies directly.
• Yardstick Assessment Strategies: Boutique assessment design and delivery firm serving professional certification and regulatory programs. Comparable as a smaller, specialized competitor that could challenge Metro for state agency testing RFPs.

Direct peers

• Meazure Learning (formerly ProctorU): Provides both test-center-based exam delivery and online proctored assessments for certification and licensure programs. Closest direct competitor to Metro on remote-proctoring capabilities and a viable substitute in state RFPs.
• Scantron: Long-standing assessment and testing services provider offering both paper-based and computer-based exam delivery. Historically active in state and government certification programs and could compete with Metro for new pesticide-agency contracts.
• PSI Services: Major assessment and testing services provider that delivers licensure, certification, and workforce exams for government and regulated industries. Direct competitor for state pesticide and agricultural certification contracts, with comparable test-center and remote-proctoring offerings.
• Examity: Online proctoring and exam integrity platform used by certification bodies, universities, and licensing programs. Competes with Metro's Talview-powered remote testing offering for the proctoring layer of state agency RFPs.

Broad incumbents

• Pearson VUE: The dominant global computer-based testing services provider for high-stakes licensure and certification. Operates a national test-center network and competes with Metro for state agency contracts, but serves a far broader portfolio of programs (IT, healthcare, financial services).
• Prometric: Global testing services company with thousands of test centers delivering licensure and certification exams. Competes with Metro for state regulatory agency contracts and offers integrated remote-proctoring capabilities at national scale.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks7 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/metro-institute

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 Metro Institute, Inc.