Download and complete the Candidate Handbook and Application for the appropriate National Board Certification Examination. If you are not sure which application to complete, please view the Certification Eligibility Page.
If you wish to sit for an exam outside of the United States, please include the International Testing Application Addendum Form with your application, as well as the appropriate International Testing Fee.
Submit your completed application in hard copy to:
American Board of Wound Management
1800 M St NW
Suite 400S
Washington, DC 20036
Please do not use staples or sheet protectors. All materials should arrive at the ABWM office in a single envelope. FedEx and USPS certified mail is recommended. Please print application single-sided; do not use staples on any materials in your application packet. Allow a minimum of 15 business days for review and processing.
All first-time applications must be submitted in hard-copy to our office. We will not accept faxed or emailed letters of reference.
Upon approval, you will be able to schedule your examination at a local testing center for any time in the following 90 days, based on availability. Your three-month eligibility window will begin immediately upon application approval. Do not submit your application until you are prepared for your three-month eligibility window to begin. Window extensions will not be granted.
Completed Application Checklist, with each item initialed.
Completed Cover Page.
Completed Application Payment page (whether paying by check or credit card).
Completed ABWM Application with signed application signature page, affirming your adherence to the policies set forth in the Candidate Handbook and the Code of Ethics form.
Professional Résumé or Curriculum Vitae (limit 5 pages).
Personal statement, a narrative description of the required three years of wound care experience and direct patient care, if applicable.
Copy or online printout of professional license(s), or copies if you hold more than one, and board certifications.
Three letters of reference from any professional colleagues, sealed in their original envelopes. Letters should discuss wound care knowledge, skills, and expertise; and must document the required years of experience. Form or identical letters will not be accepted; emailed or faxed letters will not be accepted.
Please note that for current CWS®’s who are applying for the CWSP® exam, items 5-8 may be substituted with a copy of your current CWS® ID Card.
For current CWCA®’s who are applying for the CWS® exam, items 6-8 may be substituted with a copy of your current CWCA® ID Card.
Once your application to sit for the certification examination has been approved, you should expect to receive two notifications directly from our testing company, AMP/PSI. The notifications will arrive first by e-mail, and second by a mailed postcard, and will include information on how to schedule your exam.
Once you have received your approval notifications, you may schedule your exam for any time in the following 90 days, based on availability at your local testing center.
Upon completing the exam, a score report will be generated immediately for candidates testing in the US. Candidates who sit for the exam outside of the US will have their exam results mailed to them from AMP.
Download the ABWM Ten-Year Recertification Application. Candidates who fail to recertify 10 years after their initial certification will have their Associate or Diplomate status revoked, and will no longer be permitted to use their credential.
Submit your completed application by mail or email (in PDF form) to:
American Board of Wound Management
1800 M St NW
Suite 400S
Washington, DC 20036
Email: info@abwmcertified.org
Your application must be received a minimum of 15 business days prior to your desired exam date. Upon approval, you will be able to schedule your examination at a local testing center for any time in the following 90 days, based on availability. Your three-month eligibility window will begin immediately upon application approval. Do not submit your application until you are prepared for your three-month eligibility window to begin. Window extensions will not be granted.
Completed applications will include:
Completed and signed ABWM Recertification Application form.
Recertification Fee for the appropriate examination.
Once your application to sit for the certification examination has been approved, you should expect to receive two notifications directly from our testing company, AMP/PSI. The notifications will arrive first by e-mail, and second by a mailed postcard, and will include information on how to schedule your exam.
Once you have received your approval notifications, you may schedule your exam for any time in the following 90 days, based on availability at your local testing center.
Upon completing the exam, a score report will be generated immediately for candidates testing in the US. Candidates who sit for the exam outside of the US will have their exam results mailed to them from AMP.
