National Cancer Registrars Association (NCRA)

This organization, formerly the National Tumor Registrars Association, was founded in 1974. NCRA has played a vital part in the professional development of cancer registrars. NCRA developed and maintained a variety of programs for training cancer registrars. The first certification exam (Certified Tumor Registrar -- "CTR") for cancer registrars was offered in 1983. Begining in 2003, NCRA will administer the CTR exam which used to be administered by the National Board for Certification of Registrars. NCRA provides ongoing training for cancer registry staff and mechanisms for communication between registry staff and other standard setting organizations through its publications, annual conferences, workshops, and continuing education credit program. In recent years, NCRA has expanded its scope to include registrars working in registries of diseases other than cancer. As of January 1, 2024 the CTR credential has been renamed to ODS: Oncology Data Specialist.