Wound Care Certifications for Nurses: What You Need to Know

• With so many wound care certifications out there, it can be hard to identify which best fits you and your career.
• Wound, Ostomy, and Continence (WOC) nursing is a highly-specialized field that requires wound care certification in order to practice.
• Nursing CE Central has created a simple guide to help direct you toward which nursing wound care certification is right for you!

Wound Care is a highly specialized field of nursing that is in high demand. If you are interested in the field of Wound, Ostomy, and Continence (WOC) Nursing, there are quite a few different certifications out there. Here is a quick guide on the various types of wound care certifications available.

Wound Care Boards VS. Wound Care Certifications  

Wound care certification boards offer and regulate wound care certifications. Each wound care certification board has unique requirements: 

• The Wound Ostomy Continence Nursing Board (WOCNCB®) is a commonly recognized certifying board exclusively for nurses. 
• The American Board of Wound Management (ABWM®) grants the Certified Wound Specialist Certification. This is open to other specialties including LVNs, physicians, physical therapists, etc. 
• The National Alliance of Wound Care and Ostomy (NAWCO®) grants Wound Care Certifications. This is also open to other specialties including LVNs, physicians, physical therapists, etc. 

In your search, it is important to understand which wound care certifications are recognized by your institution, and the requirements of your specific role prior to taking the exam.  

Accredited ABWM® Wound Care Certifications 

The Certified Wound Care Associate (CWCA®) 

A CWCA® is someone who has taken and passed the CWCA® wound care certification exam. It is an accredited wound care certification that is valid for 10 years.  

Eligibility:  

• LPN, LVN, RN, NP
• 3 years of wound-related experience (not consecutive) 
• Active, unrestricted license, along with proof of experience for exam approval 

Pass Rate: 64%  

Passing Score: 72/100  

Cost for Exam: $375 

The Certified Wound Specialist (CWS®) 

A CWS® is someone who has taken and passed the CWS wound care certification exam. It is an accredited wound care certification that is valid for 10 years.  

Eligibility: 

• RNs with BSN, MSN, DNP
• 3 years of wound-related experience (not consecutive)
• Active, unrestricted license, along with proof of experience for exam approval 

You must also complete the packet requirements which include:  

• Application checklist 
• Completed cover page
• Application payment page
• Completed ABWM application
• Professional resume
• Personal statement
• Copy of licensure
• 3 Letters of Reference  

Pass Rate: 60%  

Passing Score: 87/125 

Cost for Exam: $575

Accredited NAWCO® Wound Care Certifications 

Wound Care Certified (WWC®) 

The WWC® wound care certification was accredited through NAWCO® until 2013 and was reaccredited in May of 2019 by the National Commission for Certifying Agencies (NCCA®). This wound care certification is valid for 5 years.  

Eligibility: 

• LPN, LVN, RN, NP 



• 1 Education Requirement (below) 
• 1 Experience Requirement (below) 

Education Requirement:  

• Option A: Graduation from a skin and wound management education course that meets certification committee criteria. 
• Option B: Current active CWCN®, CWON®, or CWOCN®. 

Experience Requirement:  

• Option A: Completion of 120 hours of hands-on-clinical training with approved NAWCO preceptor. 
• Option B: Completion of 2 years full-time or 4 years part–time in approved profession with ongoing,
      active involvement with wound care patients or in management, education, or research directly related 
      to wound care.  

Pass Rate: 85%  

Cost for Exam: $330

Accredited WOCNCB® Wound Care Certification  

The Certified Wound Care Nurse (CWCN®) 

Eligibility:  

• BSN 
• Meet one of the following requirements:
• 50 continuing education contact hours over the last 5 years in wound care and 1,500 clinical experience
      hours over the past 5 years with at least 375 of those hours completed within the last year prior to
      certification.
• Completion of WOCN education program duly accredited by the WOCN®. 

Since there are so many options available, it can be difficult to determine which might be the right fit for you. I hope this guide was helpful to you in your research process. Make sure to educate yourself appropriately to determine which wound care certification is the best for you and your nursing career. 

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