Paths to Become a Cancer Registrar
In the past, cancer registrars were trained on the job. Today, post-secondary education programs around the country teach cancer data management. Possible college courses that a student might take to earn a degree in this field include cancer and its management, medical terminology, anatomy and physiology, computers in healthcare, biostatistics and epidemiology, cancer data abstracting, database record management, cancer program management, cancer registry procedures, among others.
Some common paths to become a cancer registrar are listed below. The National Cancer Registrars Association accredits educational programs across the U.S. Many are available online.
Path 1:
- Earn an Associate Degree in Cancer Registry Management
- Complete a Clinical Practicum at a Cancer Registry
- Pass the Oncology Data Specialist (ODS) Exam
- Maintain the ODS Credential with Continuing Education Courses
Path 2:
- Complete 60-Hours of College-Level Courses
- Earn a Certificate in Cancer Registry Management
- Complete a Clinical Practicum at a Cancer Registry
- Pass the Oncology Data Specialist (ODS) Exam
- Maintain the ODS Credential with Continuing Education Courses
Path 3:
- Earn an Associate Degree or complete 60-Hours of College-Level Courses, including Six College Credit Hours in Human Anatomy and Human Physiology.
- Complete one year (1,950 hours) of Cancer Registry Experience
- Pass the Oncology Data Specialist (ODS) Exam
- Maintain the ODS Credential with Continuing Education Courses