Would Care CertificationtTest Guide

By Erin Hasinger, Tests.com

Medical professionals who work in wound care can pursue certification, either as a wound specialist or a wound care associate. Certification is an excellent way for doctors, nurses and other health care workers to formally acknowledge their specialization and knowledge in wound care management. Thousands of health professionals become certified in wound care each year.

 Wound certification comes after passing an exam administered by a professional health care organization. The three major wound care certification organizations include:

• Wound, Ostomy, Continence and Nursing Certification Board (WOCNCB)
• American Academy of Wound Management (AAWM)
• National Alliance of Wound Care (NAWC)

Wound care certification is offered for nurses, physicians, physical and occupational therapists, physician’s assistants and nurse practitioners. Different organizations certify different medical professionals. For example, WOCNBC certifies registered nurses with a bachelor’s degree, while NAWC offers wound certifications for all of the professions listed above.

Wound care certification exams are offered in both computer-based and paper formats; generally, the type of exam offered will depend on the testing center. Often, the exam format can be determined by the test taker based on personal preference. Questions are multiple-choice. NWAC’s exam includes 110 questions that must be answered within two hours. AAWM’s exam asks 200 questions that must be answered within four hours. For the WOCNCB exam, 90 questions must be answered within 90 minutes.

Exams vary depending on the test administrator, but test candidates can expect to see questions that cover:

●  Anatomy

●  Data collection

●  Diagnosis

●  Ethics and legal issues

●  Normal skin and wounds

●  Nutrition

●  Pathophysiology

●  Physiology

●  Therapeutics

●  Visual exams

●  Would healing

●  Wound care education

●  Wound description

●  Wound healing process

●  Wound treatment and prevention

All certification organizations have specific requirements for test candidates. Generally, a wound certification candidate will be expected to have a bachelor’s degree and a specific number of years of wound care experience. An organization’s own wound care course may be a requirement prior to examination as well.

Tests are offered nationwide. Most organizations work with a testing center through which exams can be scheduled. Both AAWM and NAWC register and schedule candidates through PSI Exams. WOCNCB tests candidates at Castle Worldwide Exam Centers.

Registration fees also vary:

• AAWM—$300
• NAWC—$330
• WOCNCB—$550

Exams are offered year-round; some certifying bodies administer exams in quarters or other testing cycles with specific deadlines for each test period. It is best to check with the test administrator for specific registration deadlines and test dates.

Exam scores will be sent to the test taker’s home approximately four to six weeks following the exam. Wound certification must be renewed periodically; organizations have different requirements for maintaining certification, and generally, candidates will be expected to participate in continuing education, pay a nominal renewal fee and possibly retest.

To prepare for a wound care certification examination, test takers should closely review the testing organization’s test handbook, usually available on the organization’s website, review practice tests, and consider enrolling in a review course or consulting an exam study guide. For more information on wound care certification tests and preparation materials, visit the Wound Care Test Directory.

Sources: Wound, Ostomy, Continence and Nursing Certification Board, American Academy of Wound Management and National Alliance of Wound Care