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New CWS Certified Wound Care Specialist Eligibility Requirements

February 17, 2019 26 Comments

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This month, the ABWM announced two major changes to their CWS Certified Wound Specialist eligibility. The first major change is the expansion of professional licenses accepted for Certified Wound Specialists- Diploma RNs and Associate RNs can now become CWS certified!

This is a positive change made by the ABWM to help healthcare professionals who are passionate about wound care. This change allows RNs with diplomas or associate degrees to qualify for the same wound care certification that BSNs can take- the CWS Certified Wound Specialist. Formerly, accredited wound certification options for Associate and Diploma RNs were limited. Many had to pursue the CWCA Certified Wound Care Associate due to lack of options they qualify for. (The CWCA is the same certification that LPNs, LVNs, CNAs, and MAs often choose.)

The second change to the CWS Certified Wound Care Specialist certification opened up more options for the minimum experience requirements. Formerly, the CWS certification required three years of cumulative wound care experience. Now, the requirements have been adjusted to include a one-year minimum fellowship in lieu of the three-year experience minimum.

While the fellowship may seem like a great option, there are still monitored requirements that you should be aware of. For the fellowship to be accepted, it must be certified by a credentialing organization. In addition to the fellowship certification proof, the CWS applicant must obtain and supply a letter of recommendation from the fellowship program director. The former requirements for the CWS application required three letters of professional recommendations. For healthcare professionals using the fellowship pathway, two of the three required letters need to come from specific professionals involved in the fellowship. The first letter needs to be from the fellowship director. The second letter needs to be from a CWS that was involved in the applicant’s wound care training. The third can be from another professional resource.

In addition to offering more wound care certification options for RNs, the fellowship option allows those without previous career experience to become wound care certified earlier.

While the CWS eligibility requirements have changed, the majority of the application requirements remain. Anyone pursuing the CWS Certified Wound Specialist must have an active, unrestricted professional license in at least one state, and in all states in which they currently practice. Current licenses accepted for the CWS certification include the RN, BSN, PA, PT, RD, DO, DPM, DVM, MD, NP licenses.

The full CWS wound care certification application includes:

  1. Completed application form
  2. Professional resume or curriculum vitae.
  3. Personal statement, including a full description of three years of clinical wound care experience or one-year minimum certified fellowship.
  4. Copies of professional licenses and board certifications.
  5. Your three letters from professional references, sealed in original envelopes. Letters should discuss wound care knowledge, skills, and expertise, and must document the required years of experience.
  6. Signed ABWM Code of Ethics statement
  7. Payment for the required application fee
  8. Complete the checklist form by initialing next to each application item.

It is now easier than ever to gain the CWS certified wound specialist certification. The CWS is a highly acclaimed and most importantly, accredited wound certification. To prepare for the CWS wound care certification, consider taking one of our online wound care certification prep courses. Every Wound Educators course comes with our Until-You-Pass guarantee to help you feel confident you will pass the certification board test.

Current CWCA RNs – Get CWS Certified!

UPDATE: any current CWCA that tested within the last three years can sit for the CWS exam for a reduced fee of $200. Simply fill out a Re-Test Form (ticking the CWS box) and include a note highlighting the CWCA certification date.

CWCAs who certified more than three years ago must fill out a Re-Certification Form (ticking the CWS box) and pay the standard $575 CWS wound care recertification fee.

Categories: Wound Care Certification Exam Resources, Wound Certification Information

About the Author

Laurie Swezey's avatar

Laurie Swezey, founder and president of WoundEducators.com, has been a Registered Nurse for more than a quarter century, with most of those years dedicated to wound treatment. Ms. Swezey is a Certified Wound Care Nurse and a Certified Wound Specialist.

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Lindsay Hill says

    February 18, 2019 at 12:29 pm

    I am an Associates RN with a current CWCA. Can I change over to CWS or do I have to retake the exam?

    Reply
    • Holly Hingle says

      February 19, 2019 at 7:35 pm

      Lindsey, we are still waiting on ABWM clarification for current CWCA RNs. As soon as we find out specifics, we will let you know. You can also contact them directly at [email protected] to ask about your particular situation. The CWS is a separate exam with 30 more questions than the CWCA so it is likely you will still have to take the CWS exam to upgrade.

      Reply
      • Amy Hilliker says

        March 19, 2019 at 7:55 am

        I am a CWCA RN and am going to have to pay the highest late fee ifor my recertification by the end of March. would I be better to test for the CWS.

        Reply
        • Holly Hingle says

          March 23, 2019 at 9:49 pm

          Amy, I would suggest re-testing for the CWS, but I would also double-check with the ABWM.

          Reply
    • Jennifer McKillop says

      January 31, 2020 at 10:19 am

      Hello I am currently an LNA, have been for 9 years and I am about to pursue schooling for my LPN. Wounds are a passion of mine so I was wondering if I should wait until I graduate from the LPN program to pursue the wound certification or is that achievable now and what exact certification would that be ? Also I have 3+ years experience working with wounds/skin care just by hands on experience, where would my letters of recommendation need to come from?

      Reply
      • WoundEducators says

        February 2, 2020 at 10:27 pm

        Jennifer,

        Thank you for your commitment to wound care! If you think you can balance LPN school and our online course, which will take about 2.5 hours per week for 6 months, we say go for it! After graduating the course, you can apply to take your CWCA certification, which is offered by the ABWM. The CWCA is valid for ten years. Our course also meets the educational requirement for the WCC certification. Best of luck!

        Reply
  2. Toni Ballestero RN CWCA says

    February 18, 2019 at 2:27 pm

    I am an associates RN over 30 years.. I have my CWCA #10282, 6/23/2015.
    I sent all my letters of recommendation prior to this and approved to test. So working full time as a wound specialist has been my job with certification ever since. So what do I need to do different to be able to take the CWS test with my current certification CWCA.
    It is not clear and I just paid my dues now going on 4 years $150.

    Reply
    • Holly Hingle says

      February 19, 2019 at 7:38 pm

      Toni, congrats on the CWCA certification! We are still waiting on ABWM clarification for current CWCA RNs. As soon as we find out specifics for current CWCAs wishing to transfer, we will let everyone know. You can also contact them directly at [email protected] to ask about your particular situation. However, we do know that the CWS is a separate exam with 30 more questions than the CWCA so it is likely you will still have to take the CWS exam to upgrade.

      Reply
    • Holly Hingle says

      February 22, 2019 at 7:19 pm

      UPDATE: any current CWCA that tested within the last three years can sit for the CWS exam for a reduced fee of $200. Simply fill out a Re-Test Form (ticking the CWS box) and include a note highlighting the CWCA certification date.

      CWCAs who certified more than three years ago are still welcome to sit for the CWS, but must fill out a Re-Certification Form (ticking the CWS box) and pay the standard $575 CWS recertification fee.

      Reply
  3. Carlo Emmens says

    February 18, 2019 at 2:57 pm

    I have over 30 years experience working in the burn center and wound care center, I also was a patient care Tech , And ortho Tech and I also worked on the rescue squad . I would like to take the wound care certification? . Do this qualified me for that I have the experience I would like to have a certification

    Reply
    • Holly Hingle says

      February 19, 2019 at 7:45 pm

      Carlo, you can likely pursue the CWCA or the WCC certification. We recommend pursuing the CWCA as it is accredited, whereas the WCC is not. You will need to submit your full application to the ABWM to be approved to take the exam. We recommend starting with our 6-month basic wound care certification course to help you make sure you have all information covered to pass the exam. https://woundeducators.com/wound-care-certification-courses/b/

      Reply
      • Laurie Swezey says

        May 16, 2019 at 2:01 pm

        On May 10, 2019, the National Commission for Certifying Agencies (NCCA) granted accreditation to the National Alliance of Wound Care and Ostomy Wound Care Certified (WCC) Certification for demonstrating compliance with the NCCA Standards for the Accreditation of Certification Programs. The accreditation is valid for 5 years. NCCA is the accrediting body of the Institute for Credentialing Excellence.

        Reply
  4. Melma Madlangbayan says

    February 19, 2019 at 5:07 am

    I want to became CWS but I don’t know the process.
    First, I was working in Qatar as Mobile Nurse we visited patient at home for antibiotic IV administration and majority we do wound dressing and assessment ( wound management ).
    My question are:
    1. Is that licensed ( CWS ) will be honor here in Qatar ?
    2. My manager was not CWS where I can get reference or recommendation letter?
    3. we just have 1 month training in wound care department here in Qatar.

    Reply
    • Holly Hingle says

      February 19, 2019 at 7:33 pm

      Melma, Anyone pursuing the CWS Certified Wound Specialist must have an active, unrestricted professional license in at least one state, and in all states in which they currently practice. Current licenses accepted for the CWS certification include the RN, BSN, PA, PT, RD, DO, DPM, DVM, MD, NP licenses. You must also have an approved one-year fellowship or three years of cumulative wound care experience to apply. You must submit your complete application packet to the ABWM in order to be approved to take the test. Once approved, you can see if there are any PSI testing centers in your area to take your exam.

      Reply
  5. trekela Collins says

    February 19, 2019 at 10:12 am

    If an applicant is an Associates RN can all three letter be completed by professional references?

    Reply
    • Holly Hingle says

      February 19, 2019 at 10:29 am

      Trekela, Where the letters come from depends on your experience. If you are using the fellowship option, 2/3 letters must be provided by a CWS who was involved in wound training and by the program director. If you have three years or more of experience, all 3 letters can come from professional references of your choice.

      Reply
  6. KelleyBarkhuff says

    February 19, 2019 at 3:56 pm

    I am not understanding this process completely. I am CWCA and AD RN, how exactly do I become CWS? 6 years experience, passed test in 2017. Thank you.

    Reply
    • Holly Hingle says

      February 19, 2019 at 7:48 pm

      Kelley, Congrats on your CWCA Certification! At this time, we are still waiting on ABWM clarification for current CWCA RNs. As soon as we find out specifics, we will let you know. The CWS is a separate exam with 30 more questions than the CWCA so it is likely you will still have to take the CWS exam to upgrade. If you need to inquire about your particular situation, you can also contact them directly at [email protected].

      Reply
    • Holly Hingle says

      February 22, 2019 at 7:19 pm

      UPDATE: any current CWCA that tested within the last three years can sit for the CWS exam for a reduced fee of $200. Simply fill out a Re-Test Form (ticking the CWS box) and include a note highlighting the CWCA certification date.

      CWCAs who certified more than three years ago are still welcome to sit for the CWS, but must fill out a Re-Certification Form (ticking the CWS box) and pay the standard $575 CWS recertification fee.

      Reply
  7. Vicky says

    February 23, 2019 at 11:27 am

    What options are available for LPN’s who are currently CWCA’s and have been for at least 3 years

    Reply
    • Holly Hingle says

      March 17, 2019 at 12:36 pm

      Vicky, We recommend keeping the CWCA as it is the only accredited wound care certifications available for LPNS.

      Reply
      • Laurie Swezey says

        May 16, 2019 at 2:02 pm

        On May 10, 2019, the National Commission for Certifying Agencies (NCCA) granted accreditation to the National Alliance of Wound Care and Ostomy Wound Care Certified (WCC) Certification for demonstrating compliance with the NCCA Standards for the Accreditation of Certification Programs. The accreditation is valid for 5 years. NCCA is the accrediting body of the Institute for Credentialing Excellence.

        Reply
  8. Bill Jordan says

    June 7, 2019 at 8:52 pm

    I suppose you still don’t offer a payment plan for the CNA course..?.

    Reply
    • WoundEducators says

      June 23, 2019 at 8:29 pm

      Bill,

      Thank you for your interest in WoundEducators.com. We do provide the following payment plan for CNAs: $397 down $200 due 30 days from the date of purchase and $200 due 60 days from the date of purchase. Contact us if you would like to enroll using the payment plan.

      Reply
  9. Marife Quinto says

    May 27, 2020 at 8:31 am

    Im a Wound Care Nurse in the Middle East for almost seven years now. I have an active, unrestricted professional license in Florida, but currently working in the middle east.
    My question are:
    1. My manager was not CWS where can i get a reference or recommendation letter?
    2. Am i eligible to take CWS exam even i don’t have SSS number as one of the requirements?

    Reply
    • WoundEducators says

      June 6, 2020 at 1:19 pm

      Marife, your manager doesn’t have to be a CWS, only has to verify that you have experience working with patients with wounds.

      For Question #2 – I would contact the ABWM directly:

      [email protected]
      Phone: (202) 457-8408
      Fax: (202) 530-0659

      Reply

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