DWC - Diabetic Wound Certified

The Diabetic Wound Certified (DWC) credential is offered by the National Alliance of Wound Care and Ostomy (NAWCO).

Healthcare professionals specializing in advanced wound care for clients with diabetes are a vital part of the healthcare team. Across the world, over 240 million clients are living with diabetes, and approximately 1 in 6 will develop a diabetes-related ulcer in their lifetime.

The DWC certification is relevant for nurses with knowledge and skills in caring for clients with diabetic wound care needs across the lifespan. Applicants for the DWC exam must register online through the National Alliance of Wound Care and Ostomy (NAWCO) website.

Cost

• $30 processing fee is required with all applications

• Initial Certification: $380

• Re-examination: $380

The exam format is a computer-based test (CBT), or a paper exam offered on-site at the Diabetic Wound Management Certification Training courses.

To be eligible for the DWC certification exam, you must meet the following prerequisites:

• An active unrestricted license as a Registered Nurse, Licensed Practical/Vocational Nurse, Nurse Practitioner, Physical Therapist, Physical Therapist Assistant, Occupational Therapist, Occupational Therapy Assistant, Doctor of Podiatric Medicine, Physician or Physician Assistant.

• Completion of one of the following:

  • Current certification in wound care. (WCC, CWS, CWCN, CWON, CWOCN) or

  • Documented involvement in the care of diabetic patients, or in management, education or research directly related to diabetes while actively licensed for at least two years full-time or four years part-time within the past five years.

In addition, the professional must have evidence of completion of one of the following pathways:

• Experiential Pathway: Completion of either a published work related to the care of the diabetic patient, committee member of a national diabetic organization, or national speaker presentation related to diabetes.

• Continuing Education: Sixty (60) hours of continuing education in ostomy and wound care within the past five years.

• Education Pathway: Successful completion of NAWCO approved Diabetic skin and wound management course.

• Other Diabetic Specific Specialty Certification: Certified Diabetes Care and Education Specialist (CDCES), Certified Foot Care Nurse (CFCN), or Advanced Diabetes Management (ADM).

The DWC certification is valid for five years. The following items are required for certification renewal:

• Active unrestricted license as a Registered Nurse, Licensed Practical/Vocational Nurse, Nurse Practitioner, Physical Therapist, Physical Therapist Assistant, Occupational Therapist, Occupational Therapy Assistant, Physician, or Physician Assistant.

• Current DWC credential. 

• Submission of recertification application for one of the following recertification options:

• Examination

• Training: Approved course by NAWCO

• Sixty Continuing Education hours

Renewal Fees

• $30 processing fee is required with all applications

• Recertification: $380

• Reinstatement of lapsed credential: $380

• Late fee for lapsed credential: $300

The NAWCO offers the following resources:

• Candidate Handbook

The nurse seeking additional verification within the specialty may also observe the following certifications offered by the NAWCO:

• Wound Care Certified (WCC)

• Nutrition Wound Care Certified (NWCC)

• Ostomy Management Specialist (OMS)