Previously Asked Questions

Question:
Hi I have let my WOC nurse certification lapse and want to recertification using the experiential pathway. I am still working. I have approximately 30 to 40 CE each in wound and Ostomy . Can you tell me if attendance to a WOCN conference rewards points aside from the CE credits. How do I submit these CE credits. Thank you

Answered April 25, 2026
Attendance at the WOCN Society's conference would count for any CE's you would earn, and only those pertaining to Wound for a wound certification. There are not other hours counted for a conference.

Question:
Hello, I am recertifying in Wound Care through the PGP pathway and would like clarification on two questions: 1. I work full-time in a WOC nursing role that includes inpatient wound care and some ostomy care. For a wound-only portfolio, may I claim a conservative estimate of wound practice hours by excluding scheduled ostomy clinic time? 2. I am a member of a facility shared governance committee and have meeting invitations and recap emails as documentation. Does shared governance participation count within any current PGP category for a wound portfolio? Thank you, Shawna

Answered April 25, 2026
Thank you for your questions. 1. If you are working full time in a WOC Role you can claim the max amount of 2000 hours per specialty per 5 years. refer to page 11 of PGP Handbook 2. Shared Governance committee member can be claimed Category 3 - Facility organizations - Professional Practice, page 13 of the PGP Handbook.

Question:
How do I get a letter stating that I need accommodation to read the test question not aloud but mounting what I am reading.I need this to help me process what I am reading. I was dinged by the test vendor and warned not to do that.

Answered April 22, 2026
Please see the link on our website for requesting ADA accommodations, listed under "Exam" on the web page for "Certification / Wound Ostomy Continence". From the link you are able to indicate your needs (i.e., handicap accessible, reader, extended testing time, private room, or other) and include a licensed professional’s letter documenting the disability.

Question:
Hi, In order to be eligible to sit for the CFCN exam, does the nurse have to complete on of the programs listed or are other programs acceptable?

Answered April 20, 2026
We accept any provider of CE related to foot care, so it does not have to be those linked on our website. You will need 24 CE credits to become eligible to apply for the CFCN exam.

Question:
Is the cwocn called clinical nurse specialist?

Answered November 17, 2017
Clinical Nurse Specialists (CNS) are registered nurses who typically hold a master's degree, at minimum, along with national certification denoting advanced knowledge and clinical skills specific to a particular patient population or specialized area of nursing. Therefore, this designation (CNS) is not issued by our credentialing body, WOCNCB, but rather by a state board of nursing or perhaps given by the university while earning the MSN. In some states, it is a practice-based designation to use CNS.

Question:
Does the APN WOCN certification meet the requirements for CMS for an APN, and thus the Medicare provider #?

Answered May 30, 2009
The WOCNCB AP credentials would not meet the CMS requirements for an APN. The ability to obtain a Medicare provider number is based upon your advance practice credential, CNS or NP. Certifications of any type, including the WOCNCB credentials, enhance your scope of practice.