Search...
Back to Team
A medical professional writing on a clip board

CWS® Certified Wound Specialist® Candidate

Why should you become a CWS® Candidate?

Passing the CWS® Candidate exam demonstrates a distinct and specialized expertise in wound management, and provides a structured pathway to earning the prestigious Certified Wound Specialist® (CWS®) board certification.

Becoming a CWS® Candidate will help you:

  • Embark on your path to CWS® board certification, a formal recognition of a master level knowledge and specialty practice in wound management.
  • Enhance the team approach that is essential to successful wound management.
  • Become recognized as a specialist; an expert in wound care.
  • Demonstrate a dedication to the highest standards in wound care, essential in the development of a comprehensive wound management program.
  • Improve the quality of wound care for your patients.
  • Cooperate and exchange resources with the various disciplines and organizations involved in wound care.
  • Reduce the costs of providing wound care in your facility or practice.
  • Be an on-site resource to educate and train colleagues involved in wound management.
  • Market wound management services as a niche benefit of your facility or practice.
  • Become part of a larger, multi-disciplinary community dedicated to delivering, improving, and advancing the practice of wound care.

Who is Eligible?

  • A licensed DO, DPM, MD, NP, DVM, PA, PT, OT, PharmD, RD, or RN with less than three years of clinical wound care experience.
  • Applicants must possess a full and unrestricted professional license in at least one state and in all states in which the applicant currently practices.

Examples: Physicians, podiatrists, physical therapists, nurses, and other healthcare providers.

How To Apply

The National Commission for Certifying Agencies (NCCA) granted accreditation to the American Board of Wound Management’s Certified Wound Specialist® (CWS®) exam for demonstrating compliance with the NCCA Standards for the Accreditation of Certification Programs. NCCA is the accrediting body of the Institute for Credentialing Excellence (formerly the National Organization for Competency Assurance). 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 American Board of Wound Management joins an elite group of more than 130 organizations representing over 315 programs that have received and maintained NCCA accreditation.

CWS® Candidate: How to Prepare

In compliance with National Accrediting Standards, the ABWM does not provide review materials for the Certification or Candidate Examinations. It is the responsibility of the applicant to prepare by any means they feel are appropriate. The link below provides resources previous applicants have used to prepare for their exams.

Discover Resources

CWS® Candidate Content Outline

Effective January 1, 2023

View the outline below by expanding the list. You may view the results of the National Job Task Analysis Study of the CWCA®, CWS®, and CWSP® here.

Domain 1. Wound Healing Environment (18.4%, 23 items)
Domain 2. Assessment and Diagnosis (27.2%, 34 items)
Domain 3. Patient Management (24%, 30 items)
Domain 4. Etiological Considerations (20.8%, 26 items)
Domain 5. Professional Issues (9.6%, 12 items)

In addition to classifying by topic (above) items will be classified by task. Tasks that are eligible for assessment include:

History and Physical Examination
Evaluation and Diagnosis Tasks
Treatment
Continuum of Care
Professional Practice

Certification FAQs

Find the answers you need in our list of frequently asked questions for the CWCA®, CWS®, CWSP®, CWCA® Candidate, CWS® Candidate and CWSP® Candidate certifications.

Explore Our FAQs

1800 M Street, NW, Suite 400 S Washington, D.C. 20036

© 2024 American Board of Wound Management. All Rights Reserved. Privacy Policy