About Proficiency Testing Canada

Proficiency Testing Canada helps laboratories monitor the quality of their testing methods and procedures by providing all participants in the study with the ability to confidentially compare their results with other laboratories. The detailed data helps laboratories identify problem areas, take corrective action and then verify results as part of their ongoing participation in proficiency testing and commitment to quality service. It has also been demonstrated that ongoing participation in PT tends to improve laboratory quality and performance. PT participation is also a mandatory requirement of laboratory accreditation to ISO/IEC 17025, the international standard governing the operation of testing and calibration laboratories.

PTC has been operating since 1991 under the management of the Canadian Association for Laboratory Accreditation (CALA), providing proficiency testing to labs to help monitor performance and compare results amongst peers.

What is Proficiency Testing?

Evaluation of participant performance against pre-established criteria by means of interlaboratory comparisons. It is a powerful quality assurance tool that enables laboratories to monitor their performance and compare their results against similar laboratories.

Why do Proficiency Testing?

Proficiency Testing helps laboratories monitor the quality of their testing methods and procedures by providing all participants in the study with the ability to confidentially compare their results to each other.

The detailed data helps laboratories identify problem areas, take corrective actions and then verify results as part of their ongoing participation in proficiency testing and commitment to quality service.

Why choose PTC?

We have significant experience coupled with competitive prices and excellent reporting. Our reports are timely, accurate and contain all the information you need to maintain accreditation and if required, take corrective actions.

We provide four samples per round of testing, twice a year. Our samples are not concentrated so they are ready for analysis. This reduces the chance of error and provides a more accurate test result.

Mission Statement

Proficiency Testing Canada (PTC) is a not-for-profit organization that improves the quality of laboratory data by providing laboratories with critical quality assurance tools.

Since 1991

From 1991 to the end of 2019 the Proficiency Testing Canada PT schemes were operated under the management of the Canadian Association for Laboratory Accreditation (CALA). At the end of 2019, the operation of these schemes was transferred from CALA to PTC.

The PTC Promise

We provide personalized services that are unique to your needs. For most PT schemes, PTC provides four samples per round, twice a year. With a few exceptions, samples are not concentrated so they arrive ready for analysis. This provides participants with PT that covers a concentration range with each PT round, in a format that more closely represents real samples than is available from most other PT provider.

PTC Reports

Preliminary reports are issued within one week of the study close, shortly followed by the official report. Final Reports consist of two parts: 1) the confidential report that contains performance evaluations and other confidential information, and 2) summary reports for each PT scheme that contains summary statistics and various graphical representations to help participants investigate any questionable performance. PTC also encourages participants to contact PTC staff with any concerns they may have with their PT reports and evaluations. All concerns are investigated and responded to in a timely manner. Should an investigation result in the identification of a probable PTC error, a revised report will be sent to the participant as well as to other participants that may be affected by the same error.

Begin your Proficiency Testing Journey

Apply today to monitor the quality of your testing methods and procedures, and improve laboratory quality and performance.

Registration Deadline is 2 weeks prior to the Study Shipping Date.

Visit portal.ptcanada.org

Frequently Asked Questions

Accreditations

A2LA

Proficiently Testing Canada (PTC) is accredited by the American Association for Laboratory Accreditation (A2LA) and operates on a not-for-profit basis. PTC  has been acknowledged to be fully conformant to the international standard ISO/IEC 17043:2023.

A2LA