The American Board of Wound Management (ABWM®) offers three certifications that are nationally accredited by the National Commission for Certifying Agencies (NCCA). These certifications are the CWCA® Certified Wound Care Associate, CWS® Certified Wound Specialist, and CWSP® Certified Wound Specialist Physician.
The CWCA® Certified Wound Care Associate
The CWS® Certified Wound Specialist
The CWSP® Certified Wound Specialist Physician
What’s the Difference between the ABWM® Wound Care Certifications?
The difference boils down to qualifications. In addition to having three years’ cumulative wound care related experience and an active, unrestricted license, the education level of healthcare providers determines which of the three certifications is applicable. All three wound care certifications offered by the ABWM are nationally accredited.
Certified Wound Care Associate (CWCA®)
The Certified Wound Care Associate CWCA® exam is open to any Healthcare professional with at least 3 years of wound care experience and an active, unrestricted license.
Examples: Associate degree nurses, RNs, LPNs, LVNs, PTAs, all certified healthcare assistants, healthcare administrators, dieticians, sales and marketing professionals, and academic researchers.
The Certified Wound Care Associate CWCA® exam fee is $375. The CWCA® exam is a computer-based exam that contains 120 multiple choice questions, given over a period of 3 hours.
Prepare for the CWCA Wound Certification Exam
- Wound Care Certification for LVNs and LPNs
- Wound Care Certification for CNAs
- Wound Care Certification for MAs
- Wound Care Certification for RNs
- Sales and Marketing Wound Certification Course
All of the above wound care certification courses can be used to prepare for the CWCA wound certification exam.
Certified Wound Specialist (CWS® )
The Certified Wound Specialist CWS® exam is open to licensed healthcare professionals licensed as a BSN, DO, DPM, DVM, MD, NP, PA, PT, RD, or RN with 3 or more years of clinical wound care experience*.
Examples: Physical therapists, nurses, nurse practitioners, registered nurses, doctors, and other healthcare providers.
*In lieu of having 3 or more years of clinical wound care experience, candidates may complete a fellowship of at least one year in duration that is certified by a credentialing organization, and supply a letter of recommendation from the fellowship program director and a CWS that was actively involved in the wound care training.
The Certified Wound Specialist CWS® exam fee is $575. The Certified Wound Specialist CWS® exam is a computer-based exam that contains 150 multiple choice questions, given over a period of 3.5 hours.
Prepare for the CWS® Wound Care Exam
- Wound Care Certification for RNs
- Wound Care Certification for NPs
- Wound Care Certification for PTs
- Wound Care Certification for OTs
- Wound Care Certification for PAs
All of the above wound care certification courses can be used to prepare for the CWS wound certification exam.
Certified Wound Specialist – Physician (CWSP®)
The Certified Wound Specialist Physician CWSP® exam is open to MD’s, DO’s and DPM’s with three or more years of clinical wound care experience*.
Examples: Physicians and podiatrists.
*In lieu of having 3 or more years of clinical wound care experience, candidates may complete a fellowship of at least one year in duration that is certified by a credentialing organization, and supply a letter of recommendation from the fellowship program director and a CWS that was actively involved in the wound care training.
The Certified Wound Specialist Physician CWSP® exam fee is $995. The Certified Wound Specialist Physician CWSP® exam is a computer-based exam that contains 180 multiple choice questions, given over a period of 4 hours.
Prepare for the CWSP® Wound Care Exam
Full Requirements for the ABWM Certifications
- Certified Wound Care Associate® (CWCA®)
- Certified Wound Specialist® (CWS®)
- Certified Wound Specialist Physician® (CWSP®)
You do not need to have any previous experience to take our online wound care certification courses, but you will need the experience to become nationally certified with the ABWM. Our courses can help prepare you for all the wound care fundamentals needed to pass any ABWM exam- CWS® CWSP® or CWCA® . Completion of our wound care courses will also get more CE hours- up to 60 per course. Show your current employer your commitment to wound care education or use certification as a way to leverage other job positions!
How to Get Wound Care Certified
1. Download the ABWM Candidate Handbook & Application Online
2. Complete and Submit Your Application
Complete applications will include documentation of three or more years of professional experience in wound management and all items on the application checklist. Completed applications must be submitted a minimum of 15 business days before your desired exam date.
3. Get Approved and Schedule Your Wound Certification Exam
Once your application has been approved, you will receive a registration notification by email and by mail directly from ABWM’s testing company, Applied Measurement Professionals (AMP). This notification will include your eligibility window for testing and information on how to schedule the time and location of your exam. Candidates will have up to six months to sit for their examination. Exam appointments are offered year-round at over 170 testing centers across the U.S., on a first come, first served basis, based on availability.
Can People Outside the US Take their Wound Certification Exam?
Yes! When applying to the ABWM, simply fill out an International Wound Certification Testing Addendum in addition to your full application.
After Taking Your Wound Care Certification Exam
If you are taking the wound certification exam in the US, you will get your test results immediately after the exam. Candidates who sit for the exam outside of the US will have their exam results mailed to them from AMP.
If you pass, you are eligible to begin using your new credential immediately, and ABWM will provide you with a welcome packet and wall certificate. If you do not pass, you are eligible to retest after 90 days.
Maintaining Your Wound Care Certification
ABWM requires wound care certification renewal annually, no later than January 31st each year. There is a $150 annual renewal fee, and a minimum of 6 hours of continuing education related to wound management are required each year. After 10 years, certificants must recertify their credential by sitting for the certification examination. There is also an annual 6-hour minimum wound continuing education hour requirement for all license holders.
About the American Board of Wound Management (ABWM)
The American Board of Wound Management (ABWM), is a voluntary, not-for-profit organization established for the purpose of credentialing multidisciplinary professionals in the field of wound management. The purpose of the American Board of Wound Management is to administer a certification process that elevates the standard of care across the continuum of wound management. The ABWM is dedicated to a multi-disciplinary approach in promoting prevention.