Description

HCAF will be offering the paper and pencil version of the OASIS Answers' Certificate for OASIS Specialist – Clinical (COS-C) exam. Home health providers may take this voluntary exam to demonstrate their expertise and commitment to OASIS accuracy.

The exam is open-book and consists of 100-multiple choice questions. There are 2.5 hours provided to complete the exam. The exam begins promptly at 9:00 AM and ends at 11:30 AM (local time). Registration begins at 8:15 AM, and candidates must be seated by 8:45 AM. The exam registration fee is $250 for first-time candidates and $200 for candidates seeking to renew the certification.

Upon successful completion of the exam, participants are awarded the COS-C designation.

Are you…

• Looking to earn your certificate as an OASIS specialist and enhance your professional credibility?
• Wanting to demonstrate your OASIS expertise?
• Desiring an objective evaluation of your knowledge?
• Searching for a way to increase your value to your current or future employer or clients?

If any of these apply to you, consider sitting for the COS-C examination. Established in 2004, the exam is the premier, nationally standardized, psychometrically validated test that evaluates a clinician's knowledge of Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) OASIS guidelines. The exam itself undergoes rigorous performance and item analysis, adhering to psychometric industry standards to ensure item validity, content relevance, result reliability, and overall evaluation integrity. Employing such a rigorous process allows OASIS Answers' to confidently award the COS-C certificate to those select individuals who demonstrate OASIS expertise by passing the COS-C exam.

Computer-based testing at a training center near you might also be available. Click here to learn more.

Frequently Asked Questions

Interested, but have a few questions? Here are the most frequently asked questions about the exam from potential candidates like you!

How difficult is the exam?

The COS-C exam passing rate in 2019 was 77%. Passing rate is defined as the percentage of candidates who achieved a successful passing score during a specified time frame (i.e., during the calendar year 2016, 77 out of every 100 COS-C testing candidates achieved the passing score). Historically (from 2004-2016) the passing rate has remained extremely consistent, varying between 71% and 76% from year to year, indicating a fair exam, not too hard and not too easy.

What information is covered?

The exam will always test you on the most current CMS OASIS data collection guidelines. Visit OASIS Answers' COS-C exam preparation webpage to view the latest exam detail, including an expanded description of all exam content areas along and a sample test question for each. The exam is open book so feel free to bring printed resources with you, including the latest annual Instant OASIS Answers Guide (aka, the "Brown Book"). Other suggested resources include:

• CMS core OASIS documents;
• OASIS-C2 Guidance Manual, Chapter 3;
• CMS OASIS Q&As; and
• Other CMS-based resources/handouts from OASIS training classes.

How much does the exam cost?

There are different costs for taking the COS-C exam depending on: (a) which type of administration you choose (paper and pencil vs. computer-based testing); and (b) if you are an initial or renewal candidate.

Initial exam candidates pay $250 and renewal exam candidates pay $200. The COS-C exam is a three-year designation, thus when you pass the COS-C exam, you will not incur yearly maintenance fees or have costly mandatory continuing education requirements to fulfill. Decide for yourself how you'd like to stay up-to-date, utilizing self-study or the formal workshop approach.

How do I prepare?

Independent study of the current rules and guidance provided by CMS is recommended for all exam candidates though is not explicitly required. Attend a session of the two-day Blueprint for OASIS-D1 Accuracy workshop and receive the most comprehensive and focused review of current data collection guidance available. Every Blueprint for OASIS Accuracy attendee will receive a free copy of the 600-plus-page Blueprint manual, which contains all the most recent versions of the CMS data collection resources, and which is an invaluable resource for review and during the open-book exam. The handout is updated monthly with the most current CMS guidance, so please recognize that older copies may contain outdated or incomplete guidance.

Use the domain descriptions and sample questions on the OASIS Answers COS-C exam preparation webpage to test yourself. If you cannot attend training, make sure you have and are familiar with the most current CMS OASIS guidance. Click here to access COS-C exam details and sample questions.

How do I sign up and what are the requirements?

Exam registration must be received two weeks before the exam date. Click here to download the COS-C exam application form. Exam candidates must check-in at the exam site by 8:30 AM on the day of the exam.

For More Information

Please direct additional inquiries about the exam to OASIS Answers by calling (425) 868-2304 or emailing info@oasisanswers.com.