CE Eligible Activities
To be eligible for CE clock hours, an educational program or offering must: • be cancer registry-related, and • present materials beyond the level required for certification of a Cancer Registrar. To qualify for CE clock hours, educational activities must improve or expand the existing base of knowledge or skills of the certified Cancer Registrar. Included in the definition of eligible activities are: • Educational programs which have been recognized by NCRA’s Program Recognition Committee. Be aware: the total CE hours awarded to programs by NCRA’s Program Recognition Committee are subject to individual CE hour limitations as stated below. • Other registry or oncology related programs, workshops, seminars, conferences, and video- teleconference group seminars, or institutes which contribute to the continuing education of the Oncology Data Specialist.
ODS's must report at least 4 CE's that fall within "Category A" which covers the specific topic(s) of: directly assigned stage and/or site specific coding principles. The goal of this continuing education requirement is to ensure ODSs are staying current on these ever-changing topic areas. * Directly assigned stage topics include: SEER Summary Stage, Extent of Disease, AJCC Clinical and Pathologic TNM Staging *A minimum of twenty (20) CE's are still required to properly maintain the ODS credential; the 4 Category A CE's are a required subset of a ODS's submitted CE total for their CE Cycle *Submitting completion of Category A CE's will be similar to current reporting of CE's. Be prepared to list the specific training(s) &/or course(s) *Category A CE requirement was implemented in 2017 and will remain in effect for all future CE Cycles and for all ODSs.
Eligible Activity
Description
CE Hour Restriction
Tumor boards or cancer conferences
A regularly scheduled educational activity hosted by a facility to increase knowledge and or skills related to the Cancer Registry field. Copy of sign-in/attendance record required.
Limited to 2 CE hours per two-year cycle
Virtual attendance to mixed media programs*
Webinars, online educational programs, DVD/CD viewing and audio/video teleconference related to the Cancer Registry field. Formalized recognition of attendance required, i.e. certificate of completion, personal signature, post session quiz or copy of attendance sheet.
CE hours as listed in the program
*Archived educational programs older than the current CE cycle are not eligible to be submitted for CE credit, unless the topic(s) are still current.
NCRA’s Journal of Registry Management CE Quiz
A quiz offered in paper and online issues of the Journal of Registry Management. Must have a passing score of 70% to earn CE credit.
Updates on guidelines and rules by standard-setting agencies
Updates set by standard setting agencies to expand/enhance the ODS's base knowledge. Agencies include AJCC, CDC/NPCR, COC, IARC/IACR, SEER and NAACCR. Updates must be presented in a formalized educational setting. Formalized recognition of attendance required.
Non-fundamental computer vendor updates directly related to Cancer Registry software product
Updates must be presented in a formalized educational setting with a certificate of completion from the vendor.
Limited to 4 CE hours per two-year cycle
ICD-10-CM (diagnosis) and ICD-10-PCS (procedures) updates directly related to the cancer registry field.
To be eligible for clock hours, ICD-10-CM and/or ICD-10-PCS educational programs must include information directly related to the cancer registry field. General updates to ICD-10-CM and/or ICD-10-PCS not related directly to Cancer Registry should not be submitted for CE hours.
Limited to 2 CE hours per two-year cycle.
College Level Course Audit
Audit (attending, but not for grade) of academic courses and independent study programs relevant to the registry field
-One semester three (3) credit class=2 CE hours -One quarter three (3) credit class=1 CE hour
-Limited to 6 CE hours per 2 year cycle.
College Level Courses
College, University, and correspondence credit courses and independent study programs relevant to the Cancer Registry profession. College transcript required.
-One semester three (3) credit class=4 CE hours
-One quarter three (3) credit class=2 CE hours
-Limited to 12 CE hours per 2 year cycle.
Participation within the Item Review Committee or the Examination Construction Committee
To be eligible for clock hours, one must have active participation within the Item Review Committee or the Examination Construction Committee. Category requires the signature of the Council Administrator verifying that such participation has been active.
Two (2) CE hours awarded for each year of service
Active participation in professional organizations
To be eligible for clock hours one must serve as an elected officer, committee chair, or committee member. Category requires the signature of the President of the professional organization; verifying that such participation has been active.
Limited to 1 CE hour per year
Engagement in Advocacy Program
Participation in NCRA Advocacy Engagement Programs where training in advocacy practices is provided, and individuals act as subject matter experts in developing related collateral and serve as a presenter in the advocacy engagement activity.
-One (1) CE hour for each three (3) hours of advocacy effort(s). - Limited to two (2) hours per CE Cycle.
Formal presentation of a non-fundamental topic relating to the Cancer Registry field to an audience
To be eligible for clock hours, the presentation must be an original, Cancer Registry related topic developed by the speaker and presented to an audience.
Speaker at an educational program
-One (1) CE for every 30 minutes of podium time -Limited to 5 CE hours per two-year cycle Panel participant at an educational program -One (1) CE for every 60 minutes of podium time -Limited to 5 CE hours per two year cycle
Instructor of a College level credit course related to the Cancer Registry field
Teaching a College/University level course, correspondence credit courses and independent study programs relevant to the Cancer Registry profession.
-One semester three (3) credit class = 6 CE hours
-The same course can only be used once during a CE cycle. -Limited to 12 CE Hours per two-year cycle.
Publication of material relevant to the Cancer Registry field
Publication is the development of an original work, relevant to the Cancer Registry field, reproduced for distribution to the public.
-Author of a textbook, workbook or manual = 10 CE hours
-Author of a chapter in a textbook, workbook or manual = 5 CE hours
-Author of an article in a journal = 3 CE hours;
-Editor of a textbook, workbook or manual = 6 CE hours
-Editor of a professional or trade journal = 3 CE hours
Participating as registered mentor
To eligible for CE clock hours, one must register as a mentor through NCRA’s Mentoring Program. They must meet the requirements of a registered mentor as set by the NCRA Mentoring Committee and submit all required documentation to claim CE credit.
5 hours = 1 CE credit
Limited to 5 CE hours per 2-year cycle
Independent Clinical Advisors (ICA)
Participation in NCRA's ICA Program providing virtual supervision/non-virtual supervision to students and exam candidates.
Award one (1) CE hour for each five (5) hours of virtual supervision/non-virtual supervision and advising to students and ODS exam candidates who have been assigned to them through NCRA ICA Program.
Limited to a maximum of five (5) hours per CE Cycle
The list is NOT intended to be all inclusive. Questions regarding program eligibility should be directed, in writing, to the NCRA Executive Office, attention to NCRA's Continuing Education Committee; 1330 Braddock Place Suite 520, Alexandria, VA 22314; Telephone 703-299-6640, ext. 315 - Fax 703-299-6620 or by email.
Cancer registrars are data information specialists that capture a complete history, diagnosis, treatment, and health status for every cancer patient in the U.S. The curated data provides essential information to researchers, healthcare providers, and public health officials to better monitor and advance cancer treatments, conduct research, and improve cancer prevention and screening programs. Learn more about how to become a cancer registrar and how cancer registry data is used to improve public health.
Survey Software powered by SurveyMethods.com