The Cancer Genetic Risk Assessment Certification Program is a voluntary certification program developed by a peer review team of the National Consortium of Breast Centers (NCBC) to acknowledge the healthcare professional with clinical experience and advanced knowledge in cancer genetics and cancer risk assessment within the scope of professional licensure and practice. The emphasis of this program is related to breast cancer risk assessment although a broader knowledge of cancer predisposition genes associated with cancer risk is expected of the candidate. The program is designed to acknowledge competencies in healthcare providers other than genetic counselors such as nurses, physicians and physician assistants.
Accreditations for CGRA Exam
On July 4, 2023, the National Commission for Certifying Agencies (NCCA) granted accreditation to the National Consortium of Breast Centers (NCBC) for demonstrating compliance with the NCCA Standards for the Accreditation of Certification Programs. NCCA is the accrediting body of the Institute for Credentialing Excellence. The NCCA Standards were created in 1977 and updated in 2016 to ensure certification programs adhere to modern standards of practice for the certification industry. The National Consortium of Breast Centers joins an elite group of more than 130 organizations representing over 315 programs that have received and maintained NCCA accreditation. Click here for the official press release
- Magnet Recognizes NCCA Accredited Certifications
Purpose of Certification:
The CGRA program identifies the purpose of certification as a means to: [1] provide assurance that the healthcare professional possesses the knowledge, skills and competency to provide cancer risk assessment and genetics services to patients and families; [2] promote patient safety by enhancing provider quality; [3] recognize professionals who advance beyond basic knowledge in a specialty field [4] promote collaborative practice and referral to genetics professionals or other qualified healthcare professionals to assure the best possible outcome and care for patients and their families.
Mission of NCBC:
The mission of the NCBC in providing certification programs in Navigation and Cancer Genetics Risk Assessment is to promote patient safety, to recognize the professional who has achieved knowledge and expertise in their specialty field and to promote lifelong learning.
Vision:
The vision of the NCBC in providing certification in CGRA is to be recognized as a leader in knowledge assessment for healthcare professionals who provide cancer risk assessment to patients and their families. Given the need to recognize cancer risk factors based on personal and family history, the spectrum of malignancies mediated by cancer genes and implications to family members, an individual who holds certification in CGRA is expected to have a broad knowledge of cancer genetics, risk assessment and collaborate with genetic professionals to assure the patient is receiving the highest quality of care.
