- Wound Care Experience Required
- 2 Years
- Who Can Apply
CWHS: LPN/LVN, RN, NP, PA, PT, PTA, OT, OTA
CWHAP: APRN, NP, PA
CWHP: MD, DO, DPM, DDS, DVM
- Credential Earned
- Certified Wound Healing Specialist (CWHS)
- Certified Wound Healing Advanced Practitioner (CWHAP)
- Certified Wound Healing Physician (CWHP)
- Certification Lasts
- 5 Years
- Exam Fee
- $395 - $595
- Retest Fee
- $395 - $595
- Exam Questions
- 100
- Overall Pass Rate
- 76%
- Annual Requirements
- None
- Recertification Options
- Recertification Course, No Exam
- Examination
- Presentation or Publication
Wound Care Credentialing Board Comparison
Four independent boards offer wound care certification. Compare who can apply, the credential you earn, exam costs, pass rates, and how to recertify.
| Compare | CMETEstablished 2008Council on Medical Education & TrainingVisit Website » | NAWCOEstablished 2002National Alliance of Wound Care & OstomyVisit Website » | ABWMEstablished 1995American Board of Wound ManagementVisit Website » | WOCNCBEstablished 1978Wound, Ostomy & Continence Nursing Certification BoardVisit Website » |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wound Care Experience Required | 2 Years | 2 Years | 3 Years | 50 CE contact hours plus 1,500 clinical hours in the past 5 years |
| Who Can Apply | CWHS: LPN/LVN, RN, NP, PA, PT, PTA, OT, OTA CWHAP: APRN, NP, PA CWHP: MD, DO, DPM, DDS, DVM | LPN/LVN, RN, NP, PA, PT, PTA, OT, OTA, MD, DO, DPM | CWCA: LPN, LVN, PTA, RD, certified healthcare assistants, healthcare administrators, sales and marketing professionals, academic researchers CWS: RN, DO, DPM, MD, NP, DVM, PA, PT, OT, PharmD, RD CWSP: DO, DPM, MD | Nurses with a bachelor's degree or higher |
| Credential Earned |
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| Certification Lasts | 5 Years | 5 Years | 10 Years | 5 Years |
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| Annual Requirements | None | None | 6 Hours of Continuing Education + $175 Annual Fee | None |
| Recertification Options |
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- Wound Care Experience Required
- 2 Years
- Who Can Apply
LPN/LVN, RN, NP, PA, PT, PTA, OT, OTA, MD, DO, DPM
- Credential Earned
- Wound Care Certified (WCC)
- Certification Lasts
- 5 Years
- Exam Fee
- $380
- Retest Fee
- $380
- Exam Questions
- 110
- Overall Pass Rate
- 70%
- Annual Requirements
- None
- Recertification Options
- WCP Course, No Exam
- Examination
- 60 Contact Hours
- Become a Mentor
- Wound Care Experience Required
- 3 Years
- Who Can Apply
CWCA: LPN, LVN, PTA, RD, certified healthcare assistants, healthcare administrators, sales and marketing professionals, academic researchers
CWS: RN, DO, DPM, MD, NP, DVM, PA, PT, OT, PharmD, RD
CWSP: DO, DPM, MD
- Credential Earned
- Certified Wound Care Associate (CWCA)
- Certified Wound Specialist (CWS)
- Certified Wound Specialist Physician (CWSP)
- Certification Lasts
- 10 Years
- Exam Fee
- $375 Initial Exam + $175 Annual Fees
- $595 Initial Exam + $175 Annual Fees
- Retest Fee
- $375
- $595
- Exam Questions
- 120
- 150
- 180
- Overall Pass Rate
- CWCA: 60%
- CWS: 61%
- CWSP: 74%
- Annual Requirements
- 6 Hours of Continuing Education + $175 Annual Fee
- Recertification Options
- Examination
- Option: WCP Recertification Course to Prepare for Exam
- Wound Care Experience Required
- 50 CE contact hours plus 1,500 clinical hours in the past 5 years
- Who Can Apply
Nurses with a bachelor's degree or higher
- Credential Earned
- Certified Wound Care Nurse (CWCN)
- Certified Wound Care Nurse Advanced Practice (CWCN-AP)
- Certification Lasts
- 5 Years
- Exam Fee
- $395
- Retest Fee
- $395
- Exam Questions
- 120
- Overall Pass Rate
- 68%
- Annual Requirements
- None
- Recertification Options
- Examination
- Professional Growth Program
Fees apply for every recertification option. Details are based on each board's published information and may change. Check with the board before you apply.
Ready to prepare for your board exam?
See course options, or compare the education providers that lead to each board.
NON-PRESCRIBER HEALTHCARE PROFESSIONALS
Council On Medical Education & Training (CMET)
Designation: LPN, LVN, RN
Credential Earned: Certified Wound Healing Specialist (CWHS)
Certification Duration: 5 Years
Wound Care Experience: 2 Years
Exam Fees: $350
Pass Rate: 76%
Annual Requirements: None
National Alliance of Wound Care & Ostomy (NAWCO)
Designation: LPN/LVN, RN, PT, PTA, OT, OTA
Credential Earned: Wound Care Certified (WCC)
Certification Duration: 5 Years
Wound Care Experience: 2 Years
Exam Fees: $380
Pass Rate: 76%
Annual Requirements: None
The American Board of Wound Healing (ABWM)
Credential Earned: Certified Wound Care Associate (CWCA)
Designation: LPN/LVN, PTA
Pass Rate: 64%
Credential Earned: Certified Wound Care Associate (CWCA)
Designation: PT, OT, PharmD, RD, or RN
Pass Rate: 60%
Certification Duration: 10 Years
Wound Care Experience: 3 Years
Exam Fees: $380
Annual Requirements: None
Wound, Ostomy & Continence Nursing Certification Board (WOCNCB)
Designation: Bachelors Degree Nurses
Credential Earned: Certified Wound Care Nurse (CWCN
Certification Duration: 5 Years
Wound Care Experience: 50 CE contact hours plus 1500 clinical hours in the past 5 years
Exam Fees: $395
Pass Rate: 68%
Annual Requirements: None