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Our Certifications

Associate-Level Certifications

CWCA®

Certified Wound Care AssociateTM
Certification Level:
Associate
Experience Needed:
3+ Years

The Certified Wound Care AssociateTM (CWCA®) board certification demonstrates a distinct and specialized knowledge in wound management, thereby promoting quality of care for persons with wounds.

For Associate Degree LPNs, LVNs, PTAs, all certified healthcare assistants, healthcare administrators, dietitians, sales and marketing professionals, and academic researchers.

Becoming a CWCA® will help you:

  • Elevate your status as a specialist in wound care.
  • Become recognized as a healthcare professional with specialized knowledge of wounds.
  • Demonstrate a dedication to the highest standards in wound care.
  • Cooperate and exchange resources with the disciplines and organizations involved in wound care.
  • Gain professional pride and growth.
  • Advance your career.

CWCA® Candidate

Certified Wound Care AssociateTM Candidate
Certification Level:
Associate
Experience Needed:
<3 Years

Passing the CWCA® Candidate exam demonstrates a distinct and specialized knowledge in wound management, and provides a structured pathway to earning the prestigious Certified Wound Care AssociateTM (CWCA®) board certification.

For Associate Degree LPNs, LVNs, PTAs, all certified healthcare assistants, healthcare administrators, dietitians, sales and marketing professionals, and academic researchers with less than three years of professional wound care experience.

Becoming a CWCA® Candidate will help you:

  • Embark on your path to CWCA® board certification, a formal recognition of your specialized knowledge in wound management.
  • Demonstrate a dedication to the highest standards in wound care.
  • Cooperate and exchange resources with the disciplines and organizations involved in wound care.
  • Gain professional pride and growth.
  • Advance your career.

Specialist-Level Certifications

CWS®

Certified Wound Specialist®
Certification Level:
Specialist
Experience Needed:
3+ Years

The Certified Wound Specialist (CWS®) board certification is a formal recognition of a master level knowledge and specialty practice in wound management.

For licensed DO, DPM, MD, NP, DVM, PA, PT, OT, PharmD, RD, or RN. 

Becoming a CWS® will help you:

  • Achieve 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.

CWS® Candidate

Certified Wound Specialist® Candidate
Certification Level:
Specialist
Experience Needed:
<3 Years

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.

For licensed DO, DPM, MD, NP, DVM, PA, PT, OT, PharmD, RD, or RN with less than three years of professional wound care experience.

Becoming a CWS® Candidate will help you:

  • Embark on the pathway to 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.

Physician-Level Certifications

CWSP®

Certified Wound Specialist Physician®
Certification Level:
Physician
Experience Needed:
3+ Years

The American Board of Wound Management (ABWM) offers a wound care certification specifically developed for physicians (MD’s, DO’s, and DPM’s).

For licensed MDs, DOs, and DPMs. 

Becoming a CWSP® will help you:

  • Achieve 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.

CWSP® Candidate

Certified Wound Specialist Physician® Candidate
Certification Level:
Physician
Experience Needed:
<3 Years

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

For licensed MDs, DOs, and DPMs with less than three years of professional wound care experience.

Becoming a CWSP® Candidate will help you:

  • Embark on the pathway to 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.

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How ABWM Defines its Experience Requirements:

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.

If you have under three years of experience, as defined above, you may be eligible to apply for our Candidate program as a first step on your pathway to certification. See our Eligibility page for more details: