We Hear You: Change is Coming

To ensure the Certified Tumor Registrar (CTR®) credential name aligns with current cancer registry professional practice terminology and the evolving scope of practice, NCRA and its Council on Certification are changing the name of the credential. NCRA anticipates announcing the new credential name in mid-2023 with an implementation date of January 1, 2024.

Once the new credential name is announced, detailed guidance will be provided to assist current credential holders, standard setters, and affiliated organizations to help manage the transition, including details on how to work with human resource departments, hospitals, and central registry administration. 

Download the CTR Name Change Fact Sheet to learn the history, data, and details on the work the CTR Name Change Taskforce has undertaken to develop and update the credential name.

Why Change the Credential Name? 

In 2018, NCRA conducted a member needs assessment to guide long-term strategic planning. Through this comprehensive member survey, NCRA learned that “Update the name of the CTR credential” was among the most important initiatives to pursue in the coming years. NCRA’s Council on Certification contracted with The Caviart Group in 2019 to gather additional member input and information related to credential renaming in a survey of 1,500 participants. Nearly 73% of the respondents indicated that the current credential title “Certified Tumor Registrar” should be updated to be more representative of the profession. Read the full report NCRA Council on Certification’s Data Report: Renaming the CTR Certification Title.

The NCRA Board of Directors asked Lori Swain, NCRA’s Executive Director, to create a CTR Name Change Plan to deliver on the modernization of the CTR credential name. The final plan was presented and approved by the Board on April 6, 2022. The CTR Name Change Taskforce was created to guide and inform plan development. Taskforce members included NCRA Council on Certification affiliated members, non‐Council affiliated NCRA volunteer leaders, and NCRA staff.  Four subgroups; Legal/Regulatory/Policy, CTR Credential Title Rename, Impact Areas, and Communications/Marketing; have been working through Fall 2022 and will continue to mid-2023 to launch the credential name update. 

Questions? E-mail adminsupport@ncra-usa.org