The rapid rise in recognition of wound care as a specialty over the past several years has led to a proliferation of membership organizations and certification programs. This has led to much confusion over which programs are recognized, and has also caused the potential for risk to regulating bodies and the public in general. For those healthcare professionals seeking to achieve wound care certification, the question then becomes: How do I choose a legitimate and respected certification program? The following article will help to address this question by outlining the difference between certification and accreditation.
What is Certification?
Upon completion of a certification program, you prove to yourself and others that you have met a specific set of criteria. You may be required to complete an examination to prove your mastery of a certain body of knowledge, or you may be required to have completed a certain number of hours of advanced specialty practice. Certification is an indication that you are proficient in a specialized field. Certification is used to differentiate among members of a profession and is based on legal and psychometric measurements.
There are few, if any, legal restrictions on certifying bodies at either the state or federal levels. This essentially means that almost any organization can claim to be a certifying association.
Accreditation
Accreditation is the means by which you can be assured that credentials have some validity. Accreditation is earned by a certification or educational program only after there has been an extensive review by an independent accrediting body. To become accredited, certification programs must meet specific and stringent requirements. Because certifying programs can vary so widely, they seek accreditation as a means of providing assurance of their value and worth.
The NOCA (National Organization for Competency Assurance) is a national membership organization for certifying bodies. The NCCA (National Commission for Certifying Agencies) is the agency that sets the standards for credentialing organizations. Currently, the NCCA recognizes two wound care programs through accreditation:
- The CWS (Certified Wound Specialist) program is accredited under the AAWM (American Academy of Wound Management). Accreditation of the CWCA (Certified Wound Care Associate) certification program is pending, and will likely be approved because the same testing policies and procedures were used to attain accreditation for the CWS certification. This is the only multidisciplinary certification organization that has achieved accreditation.
- The CWCN (Certified Wound Care Nurse) certification is accredited under the WOCNB (Wound, Ostomy and Continence Nursing Certification Board). However, this program is available only to nurses.
Choosing a Wound Care Certfication Program
I recently came across a New York-based company advertising “Certification In Just One Week”. When I inquired as to what certification one would obtain following the course, my calls and emails were not returned.
When choosing a certification program, you should exercise caution. Although all seminar and educational programs can offer valuable information regarding wound management, when it comes to certification, choosing an accredited program will ensure that the certification you achieve will stand the test of time.
Taking the WoundEducators.com wound care certification course will prepare you to achieve your career goal of obtaining a valuable wound care credential. Take the first step towards a more rewarding and enriching career-contact us today.
{ 7 comments… read them below or add one }
Finally some clarification. I almost signed up for a local course that claimed certification (NJ), but I had the same problem with no call backs. You’re right. Buyer BEWARE!
There is so much confusion in the industry regarding “wound care certifications” it is amazing that anyone can create a course and a “certification”. It is so important that individuals understand what they are signing up for. Thanks for the clarification.
This site totally freakin rocks!!!!!!
The NCCA, National Commission for Certifying Agencies granted accreditation to the NAWC the National Alliance of Wound Care on Sept 11, 2008. The WCC Wound Care Certificatied is also a multi diciplinary and nationaly regognized wound care specialization certification. This program is not mentioned in your web site and updateing of this information is recommended to clarify the recent changes and options for wound care specalization.
I enjoy your interative site and find it informative and useful good job…
Kind Regards, Dan Felice PT, WCC
Hi Dan,
Thanks for your post. Congratulations to the the National Alliance of Wound Care for receiving accreditation. I wish the NAWC would welcome other avenues for individuals to obtain the WCC certification. As it stands now, the only way someone can obtain this certification is by attending the WCEI course. I know there is also the option for individuals who have already obtained wound certification to sit for the exam; however I do not think that such individuals would find the need. Perhaps the WCC will recognize the benefit of evaluating and approving other programs as pre-requisites to sit for the WCC exam.
The NAWC does welcome other avenues for individuals to obtain the WCC certification as you can see below both options b. and C. do not require the WCEI course.
ELIGIBILITY FOR CERTIFICATION
Applicants for the NAWC® WCC® certification examination must meet all
of the following criteria:
Active unrestricted license as a Registered Nurse, Licensed
Practical/Vocational Nurse, Nurse Practitioner, Physical Therapist,
Physical Therapy Assistant, Occupational Therapist, Physician or
Physician’s Assistant.
Documentation of active involvement in the care of wound care
patients, or in management, education or research directly related
to wound care while actively licensed for at least two years full-time/four
years part-time within the past five years.
Must meet one of the following:
a. Education Option - Successful graduate of approved
NAWC® “Wound Management Certification Training Course”
b. Certification Option - Current active certification with Wound
Ostomy Continence Nursing Certification Board (WOCNCB) as
a “CWCN”, “CWON”, “CWOCN” or Current active certification
with American Academy of Wound Management (AAWM) as a
“CWS” or “CWCA”.
c. Experiential Option - Documentation of active involvement in
the care of wound care patients, or in management,
education or research directly related to wound care while
actively licensed for at least four years full-time within the
past five years, plus 50 Contact hours in skin and wound care
related education.
*To receive credit for the contact hours, the educational program must be
an approved/accredited program by the state board governing your
primary license or the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC),
American Physical Therapy Association, (APTA), National Alliance of
Wound Care (NAWC®), Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical
Education (ACCME), or Council on Podiatric Medical Education (CPME).
Completion of application and required supporting documentation.
Payment of required fees.
Receive PASS result on the NAWC® WCC® examination.
Hi Dan,
Thank you for your comments and clarification. When the original article was posted on August 8, 2008, the NAWC had not yet received accreditation. Congratulations to the NAWC for their recent approval! I have updated the site and added the NAWC on the list of resources.
“On September 11, 2008, the National Commission for Certifying Agencies (NCCA) granted accreditation to the National Alliance of Wound Care® for demonstrating compliance with the NCCA Standards for the Accreditation of Certification Programs. NCCA is the accrediting body of the National Organization for Competency Assurance (NOCA). The NCCA Standards were
created in 1977 and updated in 2003 to ensure certification programs adhere to modern standards of practice for the certification industry. The National Alliance of Wound Care joins an elite group of more than 90 organizations representing over 200 programs that have received and maintained NCCA accreditation. More information on the NCCA is available online at
http://www.noca.org/ncca or at 202/367-1165.”
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