Certification Eligibility

Are You Eligible?

In order to sit for the CWCA®, CWS® or CWSP® you must have at least 3 years of wound care experience.  Candidates with a professional license applying for ABWM exams must possess a full and unrestricted license in at least one state and in all states in which the candidate currently practices.

Wound care does not have to be your primary responsibility to meet the requirement of 3 years of experience, just so long as you have a cumulative total of three years of experience in wound care related roles. Candidates will demonstrate their roles related to wound care through the different parts of their application. Visit the How to Apply page for the application process.

Which best describes your professional experience?

I'm a healthcare professional with three years of experience in wound care.
I am a licensed healthcare professional with a Bachelor’s, Master’s or Doctoral degree, or a licensed Associate's degree RN.
I am an MD, DO, or DPM.

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
  • Candidates 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 candidate 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.
  • Candidates must possess a full and unrestricted professional license in at least one state and in all states in which the candidate 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.
  • Candidates must possess a full and unrestricted professional license in at least one state and in all states in which the candidate currently practices.

Examples: Physicians and podiatrists.