Previously Asked Questions

Question:
Hello, I am planning to enroll in a WOCN-approved school to prepare for initial CWON certification through the Experiential Pathway. Before paying for the program, I would like to get confirmation from the WOCN-CB that I qualify for the Experiential Pathway. Below is a brief synopsis of my background: I graduated from college with my BSN in 2014. Since then, I have been working full-time as a cardiac post-op acute care RN managing post-cardiothoracic surgery recovery and wound care at one of the largest children's hospitals in Dallas, Texas. I have held this job for the last 12 years (from 2014 to the present day). My patient population comprises infants and children at various stages of CHD corrective and palliative surgery recovery. The typical care provided includes hemodynamic stabilization, post-op wound care, and management of various types of enteral nutrition via gastrostomies, gastro-jejunostomies, nasogastric tubes, and naso-duodenal tubes. Recently, I completed my MSN-FNP program and took on an additional part-time job as a Wound Care Nurse Practitioner caring for adult patients across various settings (home health, nursing homes, independent, home-bound, palliative care, and inpatient). From 2014 to the present day, there has been no interruption in my work as a full-time RN. I have an active nursing license in Texas with no restrictions. Kindly confirm that I meet the requirements to certify through the experiential pathway. Thank you so much. Jennifer Kalu

Answered May 15, 2026
We look for 1,500 practice hours specific to the clinical specialty, in any work setting (academia, industry, acute/long term care, etc.). You would count the hours to total 1,500 specific to wounds, plus 1,500 specific to Ostomy (i.e., it is per specialty). You may want to calculate based on hours per week or month, or a percentage of time in order to determine the total hours you have. The online exam application asks you to acknowledge you have the total hours required, and to provide the name of a clinical supervisor(s) as a means for us to contact them directly for verification. This, in addition to having 50 CE's specific to wound care, plus 50 CE specific to ostomy care (i.e., it is per specialty), make you eligible for the WOCNCB certification. All the hours and CE must occur within the past 5 years, as long as you have 375 experience hours that occurred within the past one year out of this total.

Question:
When I tried to apply for PGP recert, my certifaction is not attached to my present email address. Can someone assist me with this issue?

Answered May 13, 2026
Please contact the WOCNCB office directly, either by phone or email. We can look for whether you have more than one account, where the newer one is not synched to the credentials and details we have on file for you. (888) 496-2622 or info@wocncb.org

Question:
I'm trying to apply for my fast track CFCN exam. I attested that I did my clinical hours but cannot find an area on the application to name my preceptor. Where do I submit that on the application?

Answered May 11, 2026
You will download the Employer History Form, and list the preceptor on that form - as if they are your employer (although they may not be) as a means of listing their credentials and information there. This can be uploaded to the application.

Question:
I have been working as a NP in wound care for the last 6 month, but have worked as a nurse practitioner for the past 10 years. I completed the Nurse practitioner Certification course through Wound Educators. Does this make me eligible to sit for the certification exam?

Answered May 11, 2026
When you hold NP status, and if you choose to become eligible for the CWCN-AP exam, we are looking for you to have 1500 practice hours of Wound care the occurred during the past 5 years (as long as 375 of the hours occurred during the past 1 year out of the total), and that you have 50 CE course credits related to Wound care. It is likely the Wound Educators course gave you some CE that would qualify. You will need to also calculate the number of experience hours you have from the past 5 years (either looking at a number per week or per month, or by a percentage of time) and if that does total the 1500 (375) needed, you may qualify as eligible to apply for the exam.

Question:
Good morning, I am in process of working on my PGP for recert next year. I have done abstract review, abstract review for oral presentation and merit poster review, I have several years of these reviews, with each year the Chairs commented on how to enter for CE. Now I see a new updated version of PGP Jan 2026. 1. Are these all considered Journal/Magazine article reviewer for non-peer reviewed publication? 2. Are these all under professional practice ? I appreciate your help. Thank you, Karen Riemenschneider

Question:
I have taken the exam two times and have failed. I took one last year and the year prior. Do I have to take the Wound course again or do I have to just resubmit and for my application to try again?

Answered May 5, 2026
When you applied for and took the first exam, your application provided you with a 12-month eligibility to take exams. With the second exam, your application would have been transferred to the new testing vendor that we are using (PSI). Now that you have taken the second exam, most likely your 12-month eligibility has ran out. You may reapply for exams and on the application will need to show how you are eligible. If you took a WOC education program within the past 5 years, you will use the same graduation document now. With the new year (2026), WOCNCB has moved to a 6-month eligibility model, so you must take exams within 6 months of application.

Question:
I am orienting a new CWCN into a part time role at my hospital. Does that count towards "Precepting* WOCN students or other medical professionals/students (Must precept for 10 hours minimum to earn the 5 points.)" Additionally, do presentations to caregivers in my organization count under Teaching (I teach a new grad class on wound/ostomy topics). I also created HealthStream modules for all RNs at the hospital 1. a Pressure injury prevention exam and 2. A case study module related to a particularly bad outcome for a patient. "Teaching – Specialty (S) Presentation of an educational program (per 30 minute program, not repeated) You may claim 5 points per each 30 minutes of presentation time. For example, a one-hour presentation is worth 10 points"

Answered May 1, 2026
Thanks for your questions. 1. Orienting can be counted as precepting 2. Teaching must follow the guidelines in order to be counted more than once 3. Creating modules with case studies can be counted as well . Good luck!

Question:
Good Morning, Im working on my PGP I have a question on how to put the CE hours. I attended an IBD Symposium with 6.25 CE hours credit. ANCC Accredited I have a copy of full schedule agenda. My question is each topic does not have an equivalent CE hours but i see how many hours is the discussion. Ex Medical Therapy 9am-10am - 1hr presentation thank you! Kenneth Autencio

Answered May 1, 2026
We consider a 60-minute hour as the same for 1.0 CE. You should be able to list them as in the handbook Appendix using this calculation to show each topic breakdown.

Question:
is there a list of wocn by state? thank you

Answered April 29, 2026
WOCNCB does not publish a list of its certified nurses. We can verify if an individual (by name) is certified. If you are looking for obtaining a list of WOC nurses, you may want to contact the WOCN Society, who does have their membership list available. Their website is: www.wocn.org

Question:
In the hospital does the physician need to implement the initial treatment plan and update as needed or can the wound care nurse use her judgment and place the orders. Also how often does the physician need to see the patients wounds?

Answered April 27, 2026
As the certification board (WOCNCB) organization, our role is to test your knowledge specific to wound care, however, we are not your Governing Body on what you can or cannot practice. That is because each State Board of Nursing has different practice acts and will vary by state and are your governing board for what you are allowed in your state. Therefore, specific practice questions may be better directed to your state board. You may also want to review evidence-based practice publications/texts for best practices. Additionally, your facility may have guidelines on what they would allow. Another example is that, an NP and an RN can each both hold a CWCN credential but are at different practice levels. Your CWCN is the formal recognition of your knowledge in the specialty.