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Eligibility

To be eligible for the WOCNCB® examination(s) an applicant must fulfill the following requirements.

Recertification of valid (non-lapsed) WOCNCB® credentials:

1. Be currently licensed as a Registered Nurse (A copy of your current license must be submitted with your application. No other documentation is required.)

Recertification of lapsed WOCNCB® credentials:

1. Be currently licensed as a Registered Nurse ( A copy of your current license must be submitted with your application)
2. Hold a baccalaureate degree (A copy of your diploma or transcripts must be submitted with your application)
3. Fulfill ONE of the following requirements:
   • Accredited Education Program Track
     • Complete a WOC Nursing Education Program that is accredited by WOCN. Click here to access list of programs.
     • Effective January 1, 2009, Candidates will be required to successfully complete exam(s) within five years of graduation from a Wound, Ostomy, Continence Education Program, or they must then prove eligibility via the Experiential Pathway.
     • The Nursing Education Program must be accredited at the time of graduation.
     • A copy of your certificate of completion/graduation must be submitted with your application.
       Please contact an accredited program for more information.
   • Graduate Level Track
     • Complete a graduate-level program in nursing with documentation of graduate clinical course work equivalent to two semester hours in each specialty for which certification is sought.
     • Official college transcripts and course descriptions must be submitted with your application.
       Please read the Graduate Level Track section of the handbook.
   • Experiential Track
     • Have 50 contact hours (CEU) over the last five years within each specialty for which certification is sought.
     • Have 1,500 clinical experience hours over the last five years within each specialty for which certification is sought. Effective January 1, 2007, at least 375 of those hours must be completed within the year prior to certification application.
     • A copy of each certificate of completion of contact hours must be submitted.
       Please read the Experiential Track section of the handbook.

To be accepted for the examination(s), individuals must fulfill the eligibility requirements outlined above and submit a completed application, required documentation and fee by the application postmark deadline.

Eligibility Requirement / Policy Changes

The WOCNCB recently discussed and approved changes to its eligibility requirements. Please be aware of these updates when preparing to recertify, or inform others of the change in order to become certified:

EFFECTIVE JANUARY 1, 2009

If your credentials lapse:
Any certificant with lapsed credentials greater than two years are required to prove eligibility via the Experiential Pathway.

Certifying after Graduating from Program:
Candidates will be required to successfully complete exam(s) within five years of graduation from a Wound, Ostomy, Continence Education Program, or they must then prove eligibility via the Experiential Pathway.

Credential Extension Policy

Applicants currently certified by the WOCNCB may request an extension of their credentials for serious medical reasons only. If the applicant has registered for the current examination cycle, the fee may be transferred to the next examination cycle.

The following rules apply:

• Must be currently certified by WOCNCB.
• Must request the extension prior to expiration of current certification.
• Must be seriously ill (or member of immediate family seriously ill). Documentation may be requested.
• Must request the extension in writing to the WOCNCB Office, located at 555 East Wells Street, Suite 1100, Milwaukee, WI 53202.

Once the extension request is received, it will be reviewed by the Credentialing and Review Committee whereby, a vote will take place to determine if the applicant's credentials will be approved for extension.

If the extension is granted, it is only for a maximum of six months. Only one extension request will be granted per applicant, per five years