CWCA - Certified Wound Care Associate

The American Board of Wound Management (ABWM) offers the Certified Wound Care Associate (CWCA) credential, which displays a healthcare provider’s specialized knowledge and experience in wound care. The certification targets healthcare professionals in roles such as, LPN, LVN, CNA, RN, MA, PTA, healthcare administrators, dietitians, sales and marketing professionals and academic researchers.

Costs

• Application fee: $375

• Retest fee: $150

Exam Format

The CWCA exam is a 2.5 hours computer-based test with 120 multiple-choice questions. The exam consists of 100 scored questions, and the remaining 20 gather statistical data.

Exam Objectives

Wound Healing Environment

• Anatomy and Physiology

• Integumentary

• Musculoskeletal

• Vascular

• Neurological

• Lymphatic

• Wound Healing

  • Phases

  • Cell Function

  • Acute vs. Chronic

Assessment and Diagnosis

• History

• Physical examination

• Wound and skin assessment

• Pain assessment

• Risk assessment

• Functional assessment

• Laboratory and imaging

• Nutrition

Patient Management

• Wound bed preparation and debridement

• Dressings

• Topical agents

• Complications in healing, including local and systemic factors

• Nutrition

• Compression therapy

• Negative pressure wound therapy

• Pressure redistribution

• Biophysical technologies

  • Electrical stimulation

  • Ultrasound

• Hyperbaric oxygen therapy

• Surgical closure or tissue transfer

• Cellular and tissue products for wounds

Etiological Considerations

• Neuropathy

• Diabetes

• Venous insufficiency

• Ischemia

• Pressure ulcers

• Lymphedema

• Trauma

• Surgical

• Atypical wounds

• Dermatological

• Infectious

• Burns

• Edema

• Pediatric issues

Professional Issues

• Documentation

• Patient adherence

• Legal concepts

• Reimbursement and medical economics

• Medical ethics

• Multidisciplinary terms

• Epidemiology

• Evidence-based practice and research

Patient Preparation

• Safe patient handling techniques

• Obtaining the health and medication history

• Recent nutritional history and needs

• Take and monitor vital signs

• Prepare and photograph the wound

• Assist with aseptic and sterile technique

• Set up equipment for procedures

• Prepare wound for procedures

• Proper cleaning of examination rooms between patients

Patient Assessment

• Assess or assist with:

  • Blood flow

  • Risk of pressure ulcer development

  • Level of pain

  • Edema

  • Functional status

  • Skin

  • Wound and periwound characteristics

  • Sensory function

• Identify psychosocial barriers

• Identify and measure wound tunneling or undermining

• Measure wound dimensions

• Measure the wound with digital methods

Treatment

• Apply and remove:

  • Dressings

  • Compression wraps and stockings

  • Barrier products

  • Staples or sutures

  • Offloading systems

• Assist with:

  • Application of cellular and tissue products

  • Wound biopsy

• Assist with or perform:

  • Negative pressure wound therapy application and removal

  • Debridement

  • Culture and aspiration

  • Wound irrigation or cleansing

  • Biophysical technologies

Education

• Provide education and demonstrate understanding of:

  • Offloading and pressure relief

  • Wound care rationale

  • Therapeutic interventions

  • Medications

  • Lifestyle changes

  • Disease process

  • Diagnostic testing

  • Skin care

  • Pain management

  • Universal precautions

  • Positioning and mobility

Administration Tasks

• Document patient information

• Coordination of wound care

• Order and maintain equipment and supplies

• Equipment disinfection

• Confidentiality and security regulations

• Read current wound care literature

• Recognize evidenced-related research strengths

• Research methodology

• Professional ethical guidelines adherence

After the Exam

Candidates receive preliminary scores immediately after the exam and can log into their Pearson VUE account and download a copy of their testing report.

A certificate, patch and lapel pin arrive in the mail in approximately 2 to 4 weeks. Copies of the CWCA certification are available within the ABWM account.

How to Schedule the CWCA Exam

• Pearson VUE sends an email with information on exam scheduling within 15 business days once ABWM approves completed applications

• Candidates can schedule the exam online or by telephone

• Online scheduling: Follow the on-screen instructions

  • Select preferred test center, exam date and appointment time

  • Candidates receive an appointment confirmation email after scheduling the exam

• Telephone scheduling: Candidates call Pearson VUE at 1-833-918-2566 between 7:00 a.m. and 7:00 p.m. (CT) Monday through Thursday to schedule their exam

Eligibility

• Healthcare professionals, such as LPNs, LVNs, PTAs, certified healthcare assistants, administrators, sales and marketing and academic researchers with at least three years of wound care experience

  • Required three years of experience not required to be consecutive

• Unrestricted professional license, if applicable

Application Process

• Submit an online application with all required documentation and forms

• Submit three professional letters of recommendation discussing wound care knowledge, skills, expertise and years of experience in wound care

• Submit professional resume or curriculum vitae and a personal statement with a detailed description of three years experience in wound care

• Read the ABWM Code of Ethics and sign the statement to affirm adherence

• Pay the exam application fee

• Schedule the exam at an approved testing center in the following 90 days

• Submit application when ready to schedule the exam within the 90-day window

Scholarships

ABWM Foundation Scholarship

The American Board of Wound Management awards up to 10 certification scholarships each year to cover the cost of initial certification exam fees. Applications are reviewed during ABWM Foundation Board of Trustees board meetings.

Eligibility

• First-time candidates

• Meet the eligibility certification criteria

• Doesn’t cover retesting, rescheduling or recertifying fees

Applications

Submit the following documents in accordance with the scholarship application:

• Submit an approximately one page candidate statement describing commitment to wound care, long-term career goals and aspirations in wound care

• Provide documentation of financial need with a copy of the latest tax return

Harold L. Johnson Memorial Scholarship

The Save A Leg, Save A Life Foundation sponsors the Harold L. Johnson Memorial Scholarship to healthcare providers in need of financial support to earn a certification from ABWM. Candidates must show the highest honor of character through a history of volunteering service.

Eligibility

• First-time candidates

• Meet the eligibility certification criteria

• Preference for Armed Forces personnel

• Doesn’t cover retesting, rescheduling or recertifying fees

Application

Submit the following documents in accordance with the memorial scholarship application.

• Submit an approximately one page candidate statement describing commitment to wound care, details of volunteer work and aspirations in wound care

• Provide documentation of financial need with a copy of the latest tax return

CWCA certification is valid for one year, with renewal due by the end of January.

Certification renewal requires at least six contact hours of wound management continuing education. Submit documentation before the annual renewal deadline.

CWCA certification requires recertification by retaking the exam before every 10th anniversary of certification.

Cost: $150 annual renewal fee

Recertification Process

• Submit an online application at least 15 business days before the desired exam date

  • 90-day testing window becomes available with application approval

• Submit the application when ready to schedule the exam within the 90-day window

Cost: $375 for 10-year recertification fee

A minimum of six hours of continuing education in wound management is required each year to maintain certification. Candidates must provide documentation in their ABWM account before the annual renewal deadline.

ABWM Foundation developed educational videos for upcoming exams or fulfilling annual certification renewal. Watching each 45-minute video and completing the post-quiz equals one hour of continuing education credit toward the ABWM renewal.

Review the CWCA Candidate Handbook for complete detailed information regarding the CWCA exam. 

ABWM doesn’t provide specific review materials due to compliance with national accreditation standards. However, it offers course outlines and practice exams composed of past exam questions. The ABVM Foundation also offers resources and materials for exam preparation, including:

• CWCA Home Study Preparation Guide: $121.95

• CWCA Flashcards: $44.95

• CWCA Home Study Preparation Guide and Flash Card Bundle: $149.95

• CWCA Practice Examination with 60 practice questions: $55

The Wound Care Learning Network provides access to industry journal articles, news, wound care meeting highlights, and CME.

The Kestrel Wound Product Sourcebook provides an expanded product directory, industry leader blogs, additional education resources, wound condition reference centers, and more. 

WoundCon allows free standard access to licensed healthcare professionals to receive 14 days of on-demand accredited access to wound care resources including opportunities to earn up to 15.5 CME/CE credits.

Extended packages include access to the previous package plus additional products:

• 30-day access for $19.99 and the guide, Chronic Wound Care: What’s in Your Toolbox?

• 6-month access for $49.99, The WoundSource Glossary of Key Wound Care Terms and Types of Dressings: Features, Indications, and Contraindications eBook.

• 12-month access for $119.99, WoundSource Assessment & Documentation: Practical Guidance for Health Care Professionals eBook and WoundSource Study Companion eGuide

The Certified Wound Specialist (CWS) recognizes a master level of knowledge and specialty wound management practice for licensed healthcare professionals, such as DO, DPM, MD, DVM, PA, PT, OT, PharmD, RD or RN.

The National Alliance of Wound Care and Ostomy (NAWCO) offers three wound-related certifications:

• Wound Care Certified (WCC) certification is for eligible LPN/LVN, RN, NP, PA, PT, PTA, OT, OTA, MD, DO, DPM and sales professionals with 2 to 4 years of experience or previous ABWM or WOCNCB certification.

• The Ostomy Management Specialist (OMS) certification allows eligible healthcare providers to demonstrate proficiency, knowledge and skill mastery in ostomy management focusing on pre-surgery and post-surgery for patients who require a fecal or urinary diversion. 

• Advanced Wound Care Certified (AWCC) certification is available for eligible physicians, therapists, and nurses to provide advanced wound care to patients.

The Wound, Ostomy, and Continence Nursing Certification Board (WOCNCB) provides several wound-related certifications for eligible nurses who want to advance their career from general nursing to ostomy specialized practice, including:

• BSN nurses are eligible for the Certified Wound Care Nurse (CWCN) certification.

• Certified Wound Ostomy Continence Nurse (CWOCN)

• Certified Ostomy Care Nurse (COCN) 

• Certified Continence Care Nurse (CCCN)

• Certified Wound Ostomy Nurse (CWON)

In addition, WOCNCB has targeted wound certifications, including the Certified Foot Care Nurse (CFCN).

Advanced Practice (AP) designations are available for credentials of CWOCN-AP, CWON-AP, CWCN-AP, COCN-AP, and CCCN-AP.

LPN/LVNs are eligible for the credential, Wound Treatment Associate-Certified (WTA-C)