What is the ODS-C exam?

The ODS-C (Oncology Data Specialist, Certified) is NCRA's credential for cancer registry professionals. It was called the CTR (Certified Tumor Registrar) until the name changed to ODS effective January 1, 2024, and holders may use ODS, ODS-C or ODS-Certified. The exam covers legal and ethical aspects, registry operations, data identification, and coding and abstraction.

How many questions are on the ODS-C exam and how long is it?

There are 180 four-option questions. The closed-book part has 120 questions (Domains 1–3) with 2 hours; after a mandatory 15-minute break, the open-book part has 60 questions (Domain 4) with 2 hours. Unused time does not carry over, and you cannot return to the closed-book part.

What is the ODS-C passing score?

NCRA compares your total score across all 180 items with a passing score set by the Modified-Angoff method and adjusted by statistical equating between forms. It does not publish a fixed percentage, and the domain percentages on your score report are not pass/fail.

What is the ODS-C pass rate?

NCRA's summary of the 2025 exam reports a 51.4% overall pass rate (410 passed of nearly 800 candidates) and about 59% for first-time candidates.

What are the ODS-C eligibility requirements?

Route 1 is an NCRA-accredited associate degree program with practicum. Route 2 is 60 college credits plus an NCRA-accredited certificate program with practicum. Route 3 is 60 college credits, including two semesters of anatomy and physiology with a grade of C or better, plus 1,950 hours of cancer registry experience.

How much does the ODS-C exam cost?

The fee is $335 for NCRA members and $435 for non-members. Testing at an international center adds $150. Transferring to another window costs $125, and a withdrawal is refunded less a $125 fee. A retake requires a new application and the full fee.

When are the 2026 ODS-C testing windows?

March 20–April 11 (application deadline March 6), July 3–25 (deadline June 19), and October 23–November 14 (deadline October 7). You can test by live remote proctoring or at a Meazure Learning test center.

What references can I use in the open-book section?

Only the searchable PDFs on NCRA's 2026 list: selected AJCC 8th edition chapters (Breast, Male Genital Organs, Urinary Tract) plus the AJCC Version 9 lung protocol, STORE 2025 Appendix A and the Radiation chapter, the Grade Manual v3.2, the 2025 Solid Tumor Rules and Summary Stage 2018 v3.3. The first 120 items are closed book.

How is the ODS credential maintained?

Earn at least 20 CE credits in each 2-year cycle ending December 31, including at least 4 Category A credits, plus 8 NCRA-approved in-person (CEIP) credits per 4-year cycle counted within the 20, and pay the annual maintenance fee.

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Oncology Data Specialist — Certified (ODS-C)

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Updated January 2026

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NCRA ODS-C Oncology Data Specialist

Study Guide Practice Questions100 questions

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CANCER REGISTRY CERTIFICATION PREP MANUAL: For the Oncology Data Specialist (ODS) Certification Examination: Five Teaching-First 100-Question Practice ... with Rapid Reviews, Open-Book Lookup Drills

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Your Study Path

ODS-C NCRA ODS-C Oncology Data Specialist License: Complete Roadmap

Experience

Route 3: 1,950 hours of cancer registry experience; Routes 1 and 2: practicum completed in the NCRA-accredited program

Additional Requirements

•Submit the application and fee by the deadline for the chosen testing window
•2026 testing windows: March 20–April 11, July 3–25, October 23–November 14
•Test by live remote proctoring or at a Meazure Learning test center
•Scores are released about 6–8 weeks after the testing window closes
•Maintain the credential with 20 CE credits per 2-year cycle, 8 in-person CEIP credits per 4-year cycle, and an annual fee

ODS-C Quick Facts

Time to Get Licensed

12–20 weeks for most candidates

From start to license in hand

Exam Provider

Meazure Learning

Remote Testing Available

Schedule Your Exam

Retake Policy

You may test once per window. To retake, submit a new application, pay the full fee and meet the eligibility requirements in effect for a later window. Moving to a different window before testing costs a $125 transfer fee, and withdrawals are refunded less a $125 processing fee.

Total Cost Breakdown

Exam Fee$335 NCRA member / $435 non-member

Total Estimated Cost$335–$435 per attempt

Oncology Data Specialist — Certified (ODS-C)

Administered by National Cancer Registrars Association (NCRA) — Council on Certification

Official Source

Total score compared with a Modified-Angoff cut score (equated across forms); domain scores are not pass/fail

Passing Score

180

Questions

Hours

$335 NCRA member / $435 non-member

Exam Fee

Study time: 120–180 hours

Prerequisites: Route 1: NCRA-accredited associate degree with practicum. Route 2: 60 college credits plus an NCRA-accredited certificate program with practicum. Route 3: 60 college credits including 2 semesters of anatomy and physiology (grade C or better) plus 1,950 hours of cancer registry experience.

Valid for: Maintained in 2-year CE cycles: 20 CE credits (at least 4 Category A), 8 in-person CEIP credits per 4-year cycle counted within the 20, and an annual maintenance fee

Exam Content Breakdown

Based on the official National Cancer Registrars Association (NCRA) — Council on Certification content outline

Legal and Ethical Aspects in the Cancer Registry Profession17% (30 items)

Release-of-information and research laws, PHI safeguards, NCRA Code of Ethics, and cancer reporting requirements.

Cancer Registry Operations25% (45 items)

Standard setters (CAP, CoC, NAACCR, NCCN, NPCR, SEER), registry types, central registry edits, quality improvement, quality control plans, casefinding and quality audits, and basic statistics.

Cancer Registry Data Identification25% (45 items)

Terminology, anatomy, reportability, types of cancer, primary site and histology, casefinding methods, heme rules, pathology reporting, required data items, diagnostic procedures, prognostic indicators, lab methods, treatment types and follow-up.

Cancer Registry Coding and Abstraction33% (60 items, open book)

Solid Tumor Rules, staging systems (AJCC 8th edition breast, male genital and urinary chapters, AJCC Version 9 lung, Summary Stage 2018) and STORE 2025 treatment coding.

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What's Next After the ODS-C?

After passing the ODS-C, you can pursue these career paths

CHDA

Advance into health data analysis and informatics to complement cancer registry expertise.

RHIA

Broaden into health information management leadership and HIM director roles.

Cancer Registry Director / Central Registry Manager

Use ODS-C to advance into supervisory cancer registry leadership and quality program management.

Coming Soon

ODS-C Exam FAQ

Official National Cancer Registrars Association (NCRA) — Council on Certification Resources

Verify information with these official sources

NCRA ODS Exam Overview NCRA ODS Eligibility Requirements NCRA ODS Exam FAQ NCRA ODS Exam Prep Resources Meazure Learning (Exam Provider)

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