Certification Eligibility

Are You Eligible?

In order to sit for the CWCA®, CWS® or CWSP® certifications you must have at least three years of wound care experience. Wound care does not need to have been your primary responsibility during these three years, and the three years do not need to be consecutive. We simply require a cumulative total of three years of professional experience in a wound care related role. Applicants will have the opportunity to describe their wound care experience as part of their certification application. Applicants with a professional license applying for ABWM exams must also possess a full and unrestricted license in at least one state and in all states in which the applicant currently practices.

If you do not yet meet the experience requirements to apply for the CWCA®, CWS® or CWSP® certifications – i.e. you currently have 0 – 2 years of experience in a wound care related role – you may apply for the CWCA® Candidate, CWS® Candidate, or CWSP® Candidate as a first step on your pathway to certification. You can maintain Candidate status for up to three years while you obtain the professional experience necessary to achieve full board certification. Applicants with a professional license applying for the Candidate Program must also possess a full and unrestricted license in at least one state and in all states in which the applicant currently practices.

Visit the How to Apply page for the application process.

Which best describes your professional experience?

Eligibility Overview

Certified Wound Care Associate® (CWCA®)

Healthcare professional with at least 3 years of wound care experience
Sales and marketing professional in the wound care industry with at least 3 years of wound care experience
Applicants with a professional license applying for the CWCA® must possess a full and unrestricted professional license in at least one state and in all states in which the applicant currently practices.

Examples: LPNs, LVNs, PTAs, all certified healthcare assistants (CNAs, CMAs), healthcare administrators, dietitians, sales and marketing professionals, and academic researchers.

Certified Wound Specialist® (CWS®)

A licensed healthcare professional with a Bachelor’s, Master’s, or Doctoral degree and 3 or more years of clinical wound care experience.
A licensed RN with an Associate’s degree and 3 or more 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: Registered nurses, nurse practitioners, veterinary physicians, physician associate, physical therapists, occupational therapists, pharmacists, and registered dietitians.

Certified Wound Specialist Physician® (CWSP®)

MDs, DOs, and DPMs with three or more 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 and podiatrists.

Certified Wound Care AssociateTM Candidate (CWCA® Candidate)

Students and recent graduates in the healthcare professions with under three years of wound care experience
Sales and marketing professional in the wound care industry with under three years of wound care experience
Applicants with a professional license applying for the CWCA® Candidate must possess a full and unrestricted professional license in at least one state and in all states in which the applicant currently practices.

Examples: Recent Graduates, Associate LPNs, LVNs, PTAs, all certified healthcare assistants, healthcare administrators, dietitians, sales and marketing professionals, and academic researchers.

Certified Wound Specialist® Candidate (CWS® Candidate)

A licensed healthcare professional with a Bachelor’s, Master’s, or Doctoral degree and under three years of clinical wound care experience.
A licensed RN with an Associate’s degree and 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: Registered nurses, nurse practitioners, veterinary physicians, physician associate, physical therapists, occupational therapists, pharmacists, and registered dietitians.

Certified Wound Specialist Physician® Candidate (CWSP® Candidate)

MDs, DOs, and DPMs with under three years of clinical wound care experience.
Candidates 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 and podiatrists.