About the Certified Specialist in Trauma Registries Certification:

The Certified Specialist in Trauma Registries (CSTR) represents a trauma registry and data expert who has demonstrated current competence in a specialized area of practice and been credentialed through the American Trauma Society (ATS).  Certification in trauma registry is highly valued and provides formal national recognition of basic trauma registry knowledge. 

The certification program is designed to support the delivery of safe, effective care informed by high-quality data prepared by trauma registry professionals.  It establishes and measures the requisite knowledge required for expertise in building, managing, and enhancing trauma registry practice. This process encourages continued personal and professional growth in the practice of trauma registry. 

The credential is awarded to candidates who pass the CSTR Certification Exam. The credential must be re-certified every 4 years through continuing education or re-examination to demonstrate continuing competency and knowledge. The CSTR must have a current status in order to use the credential. 

 

    The following guidelines are for those interested in taking the exam. While these are not requirements, the ATS highly recommends that those applying to take the exam have a minimum of the following:
    • A bachelor's degree (B.A., B.S., or equivalent)
    • At least 2-3 years of full-time or equivalent (4,000 hours) experience in trauma registry practice.
  • Please review the CSTR Candidate Handbook carefully to understand all the requirements for obtaining the CSTR certification. Once complete, click here to apply.
  • Ensure the name on your application matches the name on your government-issued photo ID (e.g., driver’s license, passport) exactly. Do not use nicknames or abbreviations.
  • The application collects the candidate’s personal, demographic, and professional background information. All questions, except questions marked “Optional,” must be answered. Unless otherwise indicated, mark only one response.
  • Optional questions are included to assist in complying with equal opportunity guidelines. These questions are collected for statistical purposes only and do not affect application or exam results.
  • Upon submission of the completed application and fees, the ATS will review the application and, if approved, will send a confirmation email to the candidate within five (5) business days. Candidates are responsible for ensuring the email address on their application is accurate, as all emails will be sent to that address.
  • The Certification Examination for Trauma Registrars is administered for the ATS by TesTrac. The CSTR Exam is offered online via web-based proctoring only. The ATS and TesTrac can accommodate those with special needs or disabilities. Please refer to the Candidate Handbook for more information.
  • To be eligible for web-based proctoring, candidates must meet the following technical and environmental requirements:
  • Valid government-issued photo ID.
  • A Quiet room free from distractions.
  • A reliable computer with at least 1 GB of RAM or higher (Tablets, Chromebooks, and iPads are not permitted).
  • A stable, wired high-speed internet connection (minimum 3 Mbps). Please note that a wireless internet connection is not recommended.
  • Webcam with a minimum of 1280 x 600 video pixel resolutions (built-in laptop cameras are acceptable).
  • Functioning microphone connected to computer (webcam with a built-in microphone is acceptable).
  • Preferred Browsers: Microsoft Edge or Google Chrome.
  • Candidates are encouraged to test all equipment prior to the scheduled exam. If using Zoom for the first time, the candidate must ensure the computer has granted the necessary permissions to join the Zoom meeting, share screen, and access the webcam and microphone.
    The Certification Examination for Trauma Registrars is a computer-based examination composed of a maximum of 165 multiple-choice, objective questions with a total testing time of three (3) hours. Candidates must receive a 71% or higher to successfully pass the CSTR Exam. The content for the examination is described in the Handbook for Candidates. Unless otherwise specified, definitions are based on National Trauma Data Standard.
      The Certification Examination for Trauma Registrars covers four primary domains:
      • Trauma Systems
      • Data Management
      • Conditions of Injury
      • Coding and Scoring Concepts
  • $275 For Members
  • $350 For Non-Members
    If you have any questions about the CSTR Exam, please contact us. We are here to help!
    • Phone: 800-556-7890 ext 4 or 703-538-3544 ext 4
    • Email: [email protected]
    • Our refund policies are available here.