COC STANDARDS FOR 2026/2027
EXAMINATION COMPREHENSIVE MULTIPLE-
CHOICE QUESTION BANK WITH COMPLETE
SOLUTIONS AND DETAILED RATIONALES FOR
CERTIFIED OUTPATIENT CODERS, CANCER
REGISTRY PROFESSIONALS, AND HEALTHCARE
COMPLIANCE SPECIALISTS
EXAMINATION OVERVIEW
Total Questions: 150 Multiple-Choice Questions
Time Allowed: 5 hours 40 minutes
Passing Score: 70% or higher
Target Audience: Medical coding professionals, cancer registry specialists, healthcare
compliance officers, and outpatient facility coding personnel
PART I: COMMISSION ON CANCER (CoC) PROGRAM STANDARDS
Section 1: Cancer Committee Structure and Governance
Question 1
The cancer registry is the responsibility of which governing body within an approved cancer
program?
A) Hospital Administration
B) Quality Assurance Department
C) Cancer Committee
D) Medical Staff Executive Committee
Correct Answer: C
,Rationale: Per CoC standards, the cancer registry falls under the responsibility of the Cancer
Committee. The Cancer Committee oversees all aspects of the cancer program, including
registry operations, quality improvement initiatives, and compliance with CoC standards.
Question 2
How many cancer program categories are recognized under the Commission on Cancer (CoC)
standards?
A) 7
B) 13
C) 12
D) 9
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: There are 9 cancer program categories established by the CoC. These categories
differentiate programs based on the scope of services provided, annual analytic caseload, and
the types of cancer care services offered.
Question 3
Establishing the quality improvement priorities of the institution's cancer program is the
responsibility of the:
A) Cancer Registry
B) Hospital Administration
C) Cancer Committee
D) Quality Assurance Department
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The Cancer Committee is responsible for establishing quality improvement priorities
for the cancer program. This includes reviewing performance data, identifying areas for
improvement, and implementing initiatives to enhance patient care quality.
Question 4
The Cancer Committee must be listed in the institution's bylaws as what type of committee?
A) Internal Review Committee
B) Multidisciplinary Standing Committee
,C) Utilization Management Committee
D) Executive Committee
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The Cancer Committee must be designated as a multidisciplinary standing committee
in the institution's bylaws. This formal recognition ensures the committee has the authority and
institutional support necessary to fulfill its responsibilities.
Question 5
What percentage of Cancer Committee meetings must required members attend annually?
A) 100%
B) 90%
C) 85%
D) 75%
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: Cancer Committee members or designated alternates must attend 75% of meetings
annually. This attendance requirement ensures consistent participation and continuity in cancer
program governance.
Question 6
Which statement accurately describes Cancer Committee attendance requirements?
A) The identification of designated alternates must take place at the first meeting of the
calendar year
B) Cancer Committee attendance cannot be via teleconference
C) A member can serve as an alternate for up to three individuals
D) Identification of alternates must be conducted every year during the first or second meeting
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: According to CoC standards, identification of alternates must be conducted every
year during the first or second meeting of the year. This ensures continuity of representation
when primary members cannot attend.
, Question 7
Within the cancer committee, which of the following is permissible?
A) A single physician may serve as both the cancer committee chair and the cancer liaison
physician
B) A pastoral care representative is a required member of the cancer committee
C) A single member of the cancer committee may serve in three coordinator roles
D) Only the cancer registrar can serve in two coordinator roles
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: A pastoral care representative is a required member of the cancer committee. This
reflects the CoC's commitment to addressing the psychosocial and spiritual needs of cancer
patients as part of comprehensive cancer care.
Question 8
What is the mission of the Commission on Cancer (CoC)?
A) To create a national database of cancer information
B) To analyze cancer data for the purpose of research
C) To recognize high-quality hospital or free-standing cancer centers
D) To improve survival and quality of life for cancer patients through standard-setting,
prevention, research, education, and the monitoring of comprehensive quality care
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: The mission of the Commission on Cancer is to improve survival and quality of life for
cancer patients through standard-setting, prevention, research, education, and the monitoring
of comprehensive quality care.
Question 9
In an approved cancer program, data is submitted to the National Cancer Data Base (NCDB) on
what basis?
A) Monthly basis
B) Quarterly basis
C) Six-month basis
D) Annual basis
Correct Answer: D
EXAMINATION COMPREHENSIVE MULTIPLE-
CHOICE QUESTION BANK WITH COMPLETE
SOLUTIONS AND DETAILED RATIONALES FOR
CERTIFIED OUTPATIENT CODERS, CANCER
REGISTRY PROFESSIONALS, AND HEALTHCARE
COMPLIANCE SPECIALISTS
EXAMINATION OVERVIEW
Total Questions: 150 Multiple-Choice Questions
Time Allowed: 5 hours 40 minutes
Passing Score: 70% or higher
Target Audience: Medical coding professionals, cancer registry specialists, healthcare
compliance officers, and outpatient facility coding personnel
PART I: COMMISSION ON CANCER (CoC) PROGRAM STANDARDS
Section 1: Cancer Committee Structure and Governance
Question 1
The cancer registry is the responsibility of which governing body within an approved cancer
program?
A) Hospital Administration
B) Quality Assurance Department
C) Cancer Committee
D) Medical Staff Executive Committee
Correct Answer: C
,Rationale: Per CoC standards, the cancer registry falls under the responsibility of the Cancer
Committee. The Cancer Committee oversees all aspects of the cancer program, including
registry operations, quality improvement initiatives, and compliance with CoC standards.
Question 2
How many cancer program categories are recognized under the Commission on Cancer (CoC)
standards?
A) 7
B) 13
C) 12
D) 9
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: There are 9 cancer program categories established by the CoC. These categories
differentiate programs based on the scope of services provided, annual analytic caseload, and
the types of cancer care services offered.
Question 3
Establishing the quality improvement priorities of the institution's cancer program is the
responsibility of the:
A) Cancer Registry
B) Hospital Administration
C) Cancer Committee
D) Quality Assurance Department
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The Cancer Committee is responsible for establishing quality improvement priorities
for the cancer program. This includes reviewing performance data, identifying areas for
improvement, and implementing initiatives to enhance patient care quality.
Question 4
The Cancer Committee must be listed in the institution's bylaws as what type of committee?
A) Internal Review Committee
B) Multidisciplinary Standing Committee
,C) Utilization Management Committee
D) Executive Committee
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The Cancer Committee must be designated as a multidisciplinary standing committee
in the institution's bylaws. This formal recognition ensures the committee has the authority and
institutional support necessary to fulfill its responsibilities.
Question 5
What percentage of Cancer Committee meetings must required members attend annually?
A) 100%
B) 90%
C) 85%
D) 75%
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: Cancer Committee members or designated alternates must attend 75% of meetings
annually. This attendance requirement ensures consistent participation and continuity in cancer
program governance.
Question 6
Which statement accurately describes Cancer Committee attendance requirements?
A) The identification of designated alternates must take place at the first meeting of the
calendar year
B) Cancer Committee attendance cannot be via teleconference
C) A member can serve as an alternate for up to three individuals
D) Identification of alternates must be conducted every year during the first or second meeting
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: According to CoC standards, identification of alternates must be conducted every
year during the first or second meeting of the year. This ensures continuity of representation
when primary members cannot attend.
, Question 7
Within the cancer committee, which of the following is permissible?
A) A single physician may serve as both the cancer committee chair and the cancer liaison
physician
B) A pastoral care representative is a required member of the cancer committee
C) A single member of the cancer committee may serve in three coordinator roles
D) Only the cancer registrar can serve in two coordinator roles
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: A pastoral care representative is a required member of the cancer committee. This
reflects the CoC's commitment to addressing the psychosocial and spiritual needs of cancer
patients as part of comprehensive cancer care.
Question 8
What is the mission of the Commission on Cancer (CoC)?
A) To create a national database of cancer information
B) To analyze cancer data for the purpose of research
C) To recognize high-quality hospital or free-standing cancer centers
D) To improve survival and quality of life for cancer patients through standard-setting,
prevention, research, education, and the monitoring of comprehensive quality care
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: The mission of the Commission on Cancer is to improve survival and quality of life for
cancer patients through standard-setting, prevention, research, education, and the monitoring
of comprehensive quality care.
Question 9
In an approved cancer program, data is submitted to the National Cancer Data Base (NCDB) on
what basis?
A) Monthly basis
B) Quarterly basis
C) Six-month basis
D) Annual basis
Correct Answer: D
