Accreditation

Commission on Cancer (CoC)-accredited cancer programs undergo an on-site visit on a triennial basis, in which a trained CoC site visit reviewer visits the cancer program and reviews required cancer program activity documentation to ensure compliance with the standards.

In preparation for the on-site visit, the cancer program must:

1. Assess and demonstrate program compliance with the requirements for all standards outlined in Optimal Resources for Cancer Care.
2. Submit payment for the accreditation fee annually.
3. Confirm the site visit date and agenda with the assigned site visit reviewer(s).
4. Review and complete the online Pre-Review Questionnaire at least 60 calendar days before the confirmed site visit date.

Each year, a notification is sent to all cancer programs due for a site visit the following calendar year. Programs submit four preferred site visit dates. A site reviewer is then assigned and confirmed by email.

About Cancer Program Categories

Each Commission on Cancer (CoC)  cancer program is designated a specific category based on the type of facility, program structure, services provided, and the number of cases accessioned each year.

Category assignments are made by CoC staff at the time of initial application and are retained unless there are changes to the services provided and/or the facility caseload for three consecutive years. Category designations are reviewed annually by the CoC following the completion of the National Cancer Database (NCDB) call for data. Category adjustments apply at the beginning of the next calendar year. Programs are notified by e-mail of category changes.

Please direct category change inquiries to coc@facs.org.

Academic Comprehensive Cancer Program (ACAD)

The facility participates in postgraduate medical education in at least four program areas, including internal medicine and general surgery. The facility accessions more than 500 newly diagnosed cancer cases each year.

Community Cancer Program (CCP)

The facility accessions more than 100 but fewer than 500 newly diagnosed cancer cases each year.

Comprehensive Community Cancer Program (CCCP)

The facility accessions 500 or more newly diagnosed cancer cases each year.

Free Standing Cancer Center Program (FCCP)

The facility is a nonhospital-based program and offers at least one cancer-related treatment modality. The full range of diagnostic and treatment services is available by referral. Referral to CoC-accredited cancer program(s) is preferred. There is no minimum caseload requirement for this category.

Hospital Associate Cancer Program (HACP)

The facility accessions 100 or fewer newly diagnosed cancer cases each year and has a limited range of diagnostic and treatment services available on-site. Other services are available by referral. Clinical research is not required.

Integrated Network Cancer Program (INCP)

Facilities belonging to an organization that owns a group of facilities that offer integrated and comprehensive cancer care services and is overseen by a centralized governance structure/board and CEO.

NCI-Designated Comprehensive Cancer Center Program (NCIP)

The facility secures a National Cancer Institute (NCI) peer-reviewed Cancer Center Support Grant and is designated a Comprehensive Cancer Center by the NCI. A full range of diagnostic and treatment services and staff physicians are available. Participation in the training of resident physicians is optional, and there is no minimum caseload requirement for this category.

NCI-Designated Network Cancer Program (NCIN)

Facilities belonging to an organization that owns a group of facilities that offer integrated and comprehensive cancer care services and is overseen by a centralized governance structure/board and CEO. Additionally, the facilities secure a National Cancer Institute (NCI) peer-reviewed Cancer Center Support Grant and are designated a Comprehensive Cancer Center Consortium by the NCI. To be included in the NCIN, all facilities must be included within the NCI grant.

Pediatric Cancer Program (PCP)

The stand-alone pediatric facility provides care to children and adolescents below the age of 18 (a center that cares only for teens and older is excluded). The pediatric facility offers the full range of diagnostic and therapeutic services for pediatric patients. The pediatric facility is required to participate in cancer-related clinical research, including the enrollment of patients in cancer-related clinical trials. There is no minimum caseload requirement for this category.

CoC Pediatric Specialty Accreditation (CoC-PS)

The pediatric oncology program within an existing CoC-accredited facility provides care to children and adolescents below the age of 18 (a program that cares only for teens and older is excluded). The pediatric oncology program offers the full range of diagnostic and therapeutic services for pediatric patients separate from the adult services. The pediatric oncology program is required to participate in cancer-related clinical research, including the enrollment of patients in cancer-related clinical trials. There is no minimum caseload requirement for this category.

Veterans Affairs Cancer Program (VACP)

The facility provides care to military veterans and offers the full range of diagnostic and treatment services either on-site or by referral, preferably to CoC-accredited cancer program(s). There is no minimum caseload requirement for this category.

Accreditation Fees

CoC accreditation fees are no longer available on our public website. Please log into our password-protected QPort for fee information.

General fee questions may be sent to coc@facs.org with "Accreditation Fees" in the subject line.

If you are applying for CoC accreditation as a new program, please send an information request to coc@facs.org.