Certification FAQ - ABWM Certified

Questions and Answers for CWCA®, CWS®, and CWSP®

Is there a step-by-step guide on how to get certified?

Yes, please visit our “How to Apply” page.

Who is eligible to take our National Board Certification Examinations?

Any healthcare professional with at least three years of professional experience related to wound management is eligible to take one of our examinations.

If you meet the minimum requirement for professional experience, you are eligible to apply for the CWCA® exam. If you hold a professional license, it must be full and unrestricted in at least one state and in all states in which you practice.
If you are a DO, DPM, DVM, MD, NP, PA, PT, RD or RN, and you have a full and unrestricted license in at least one state and in all states in which you currently practice, you are eligible to apply for the CWS® exam.
MDs, DOs, and DPMs with a full and unrestricted professional license in at least one state and in all states in which they practice are eligible to apply for the CWSP® exam.

Where are the examinations offered?

The examinations are offered at 300+ Pearson VUE test centers throughout the Americas. For more information, visit PearsonVUE.com/ABWM and log in to your account or click “Find a test center” on the right sidebar.

How much is the first-time exam fee? How much is the re-test fee?

First-Time Fees

Re-Test Fees

CWCA®:

$375

$150

CWS®:

$595

$275

CWSP®:

$995

Applications:

CWCA®
CWS®
CWSP®

How will I know the exact location and time of the exam?

Once your application is processed and approved, you will receive an e-mail with information on how to schedule your exam from our testing partner, Pearson VUE. You will select your test center, exam date, and appointment time. After you confirm your appointment, you will receive a confirmation e-mail from Pearson VUE.

How long is the exam and how is it structured?

The CWCA® written exam is 120 computer-based, multiple-choice questions, given over a period of two and a half hours. 100 questions are used to compute the candidate’s score, and 20 questions are non-scored pre-test items.

The CWS® written exam is 150 computer-based, multiple-choice questions, given over a period of three hours. 125 questions are used to compute the candidate’s score, and 25 questions are non-scored pre-test items.

The CWSP® written exam is 180 computer-based, multiple-choice questions, given over a period of three and a half hours. 150 questions are used to compute the candidate’s score, and 30 questions are non-scored, pre-test items.

Where can I find review textbooks, courses or seminars to prepare for my exam?

In compliance with national accreditation standards, the ABWM does not promote or endorse any particular review materials or courses for any of our examinations. However, we do offer exam Content Outlines for the CWCA®, CWS®, and CWSP® exams. We also offer Practice Exams for the CWS®, CWSP®, and CWCA® compiled from past examination questions. There are many review materials, courses and seminars that have been independently developed, which could serve as supplementary preparation for our examinations. Candidates in the past have participated in online and in-person courses, and have made use of industry journals, reference books, and other sources to prepare for these self-study examinations.

The ABWM Foundation lists some of the study materials available for exam preparation, including study guides and flash cards. Please note that exam candidates are not required to purchase the ABWM Foundation study guides and flashcards – they are an optional resource.

Can individuals outside of the United States sit for the Board Certification Examinations?

At this time, we offer the exams to any healthcare professional that has the required amount of wound care experience. To view available test centers, visit PearsonVUE.com/ABWM and log in to your account or click “Find a test center” on the right sidebar. If there is not a test center in your country, please contact ABWM at info@abwmcertified.org.

When do I receive my exam scores?

Score reports will be generated immediately upon completion of the examination.

Can I obtain a copy of my score report?

Yes, you can log in to your Pearson VUE account and download a copy of your score report.

What happens if I do not pass the exam? Can I re-test?

If you do not pass the exam and would like to re-test, please submit a CWCA, CWS or CWSP Re-Test Application online. Candidates who wish to retake an exam must wait 30 days after their previous exam date before their new three-month eligibility window begins. Candidates may submit a Re-Test Application prior to the end of the 30-day waiting period; the new three-month eligibility window will start 30 days after their previous exam date. Candidates who wish to re-test more than three times will need to provide documentation of 20 CEUs in wound care for each exam attempt. Candidates may submit a Re-Test Application to retake an exam for up to 2 years from their original exam date.

What is the pass rate for the each of the exams?

Certification

Pass Rate

CWCA® Initial Certification

68.6%

CWCA® Recertification

100.0%

CWS® Initial Certification

64.9%

CWS® Recertification

84.6%

CWSP® Initial Certification

84.4%

CWSP® Recertification

92.9%

How are the exams developed?

The examination is based on a job analysis study (also known as a role delineation study) that is conducted periodically to determine the job content elements that are related to effective job performance. The survey tool used in the job analysis study is developed by a panel of subject matter experts. The survey is distributed to a large number of wound care professionals to gather data representative of the field of practice. The results of the job analysis study are used to develop the content outline for each examination. All versions of the exams correspond to the requirements of the content outline.

An interdisciplinary team of CWS®’s, CWCA®’s and CWSP®’s who are supervised by the ABWM Examination Chair and Pearson VUE, constructs the items included in the examination. The Examination Committee meets two to three times a year to review the items and the examination itself for validation. All examination materials are under the control of Pearson VUE, and Examination Committee members do not have copies or notes from these committee meetings. also runs statistical analysis on each examination and examination items to validate their effectiveness as examination questions.

ABWM oversees a continual process of job analysis studies, content outline development, question writing and review, and analysis and evaluation of the exam to ensure that the content of each exam remains up-to-date and accurate.

How is the passing point determined?

The passing point for each exam is established using a criterion-referenced technique. Qualified and trained SMEs on the Cut Score Committee will participate in recommending the passing point under the guidance of a qualified psychometrician. The passing point recommendation will be considered by the Board. The Board is responsible for final approval of the passing point for each examination.

The process used to determine the passing point will be documented as part of a qualified psychometrician’s technical report. Any dialogue with regard to the recommended passing point from the Board must be consistent with generally accepted psychometric principles and will be documented in the technical report along with the rationale for any adjustments to the recommended passing point.

Specific methodologies for establishing the passing score for exams, and ensuring test forms are equivalent, will be selected by a qualified psychometrician based on compliance with national accreditation standards.

Do I receive a certificate after passing the examination?

Yes, upon passing the exam, you will receive your complimentary wall certificate in the mail in approximately 2-4 weeks. You will also receive a patch and lapel pin with your Welcome Materials approximately 2-4 weeks after passing the exam. You can view and download a copy of your certification from the digital wallet in your ABWM account once you have passed the exam.

Additional wall certificates can be ordered at a cost of $30 for the initial certificate and $20 for each additional certificate. Additional certificate orders are only available within the US, and price includes shipping and handling. If interested, please send us an email at info@abwmcertified.org and we can provide you with the online order form.

The ABWM has partnered with Framing Success to provide custom ABWM frames with our embossed logo. Orders can be placed directly with Framing Success for delivery to you. You will be able to see previews of the frames and place orders via our custom ABWM merchant page, linked here: https://www.framingsuccess.com/product/detail/productID/770528

What initials may I place after my name, and when am I allowed to do so?

If you pass the CWCA® Exam, you are an Associate of the ABWM and you can use the initials “CWCA®” after your name on documents, websites, signatures, etc. We ask that you place the “®” sign after the initials when referring to the credential in published works. You do not have to place the “®” after the initials next to your name.
If you pass the CWS® Exam, you are a Diplomate of the ABWM and you can use the initials “CWS®” after your name on documents, websites, signatures, etc. We ask that you place the “®” sign after the initials when referring to the credential in published works. You do not have to place the “®” after the initials next to your name.
If you pass the CWSP® Exam, you are a Diplomate of the ABWM and you can use the initials “CWSP®” after your name on documents, websites, signatures, etc. We ask that you place the “®” sign after the initials when referring to the credential in published works. You do not have to place the “®” after the initials next to your name.

How is this certification useful to me as a healthcare professional?

As a healthcare professional, the CWCA®, CWS®, and CWSP® credentials may allow you to obtain promotions, pay raises, greater job opportunities, and personal pride. Please email ABWM if you wish to be sent an advocacy letter, or if you wish to have one sent to your employer.

When do I renew?

Renewals are due by the end of January of each year. The renewal fee is $175.00 annually. You can complete the annual renewal process by accessing your ABWM account here. For a step-by-step guide on how to complete the annual renewal process, watch our video here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cAljkp5oKYE

How many continuing education hours do I need each year to remain certified?

A minimum of six (6) hours of continuing education in the field of wound management are required each year to stay certified. This information should be documented in the ABWM account prior to the annual renewal deadline. Your continuing education must be completed each calendar year.

When do I recertify?

Each CWCA®, CWS®, and CWSP® is required to recertify 10 years after their initial certification date. The recertification process entails sitting for the appropriate exam, administered some time before your 10-year anniversary. Detailed instructions will be sent before your certification expires. Find out more about 10 Year Recertification here.

What are the renewal and recertification policies?

Please view the ABWM Renewal & Recertification Handbook.

I have recently changed addresses, but am not sure which address you have. Can I change this information online, or should I contact the ABWM?

You may update your address online by accessing your ABWM account online.

My certification has lapsed without my knowledge, and I have received a letter stating that I have been revoked. Why wasn’t I notified by e-mail or phone? And, is there anything I can do to keep my certification, and do I have to retake the Board Certification Exam?

You should have received three notices and a warning letter by mail prior to the “Revocation Letter.” In order to reinstate your certification, you will need to re-take the exam. If you wish to appeal the revocation, you may write a letter addressed to the ABWM Board of Directors requesting reinstatement.

I have some questions I would like to submit to be considered for use in future examinations. How would I go about sending these in?

Please submit your exam questions via email with your full name and address, and the questions will be forwarded to the Exam Committee for review.

Can the ABWM answer questions about a specific course of treatment or wound care product?

The ABWM is strictly a certifying organization and cannot recommend specific courses of treatment or wound care products.

What are the bylaws and governance structure of ABWM?

A full copy of ABWM’s bylaws and governance structure is available here.

What are the appeals and disciplinary procedures for ABWM?

A full copy of ABWM’s Appeals Policy is available here.

For a full copy of all of ABWM’s Policies and Procedures, please click here.

How do I verify that a provider possesses an active ABWM certification?

Please submit a verification request to info@abwmcertified.org. ABWM requires a signed release of information form in order to provide a letter of verification.

I would like to order a replacement wall certificate and/or additional CWCA®, CWS® or CWSP® patches - how do I do this?

Please contact info@abwmcertified.org to request a wall certificate or patches.