AWCC® Examination Information

Objectives of Certification:

The objectives of the certification are to promote consumer protection and confer peer and public recognition to those individuals who prove proficient in their practice. The objective of the AWCC® certification is to provide assurance to the public by promoting the delivery of safe and effective skin and wound management by:

• Recognizing formally those individuals who demonstrate proficiency and mastery of essential knowledge, expertise, and advanced skills in skin and wound management above basic certification.
• Providing a standard of knowledge required for advanced certification based upon clinical practice recommendations and other evidence based practice and research in the field of skin and wound management.
• Establishing and measuring the level of knowledge required for certification in advanced skin and wound management.
• Promoting continued professional growth in skin and wound management.

Applicants for the NAWCO® AWCC® certification examination must meet all of the following criteria:

1. Hold 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.
2. Current active certification with National Alliance of Wound Care and Ostomy (NAWCO®) as a “WCC®”, Wound Ostomy Continence Nursing Certification Board (WOCNCB®) as a “CWCN®”, “CWON®” or “CWOCN®” or current active certification with American Board of Wound Management (ABWM®) as a “CWS®” “CWCA®” or “CWSP®”.
3. Must meet each of the following eligibility requirements:
   • Education: Successful graduate of wound training course
     • The course must be relevant to the the AWCC exam domains
     • The course must be a minimum of 20 hours of coursework delivered online or live
   • Experience: Have completed 1 year of full-time or 2 years of part time experience in an approved professions with ongoing, active involvement in the care of wound care patients or in wound management, education, or research directly related to advanced wound care. 
4. Applicants must agree to adhere to the NAWCO® Code of Ethics.
5. Completion of application and required supporting documentation. Payment of required fees.
6. Receive passing score on the NAWCO® AWCC Examination.

 

Examination Domains:

Domain and Objective	Exam Weight
Domain 1 – Patient and Wound Information	45%
1.01 – Analyze procedural concepts to obtain patient history
1.02 – Determine complications of compromised healing
1.03 – Identify current plan of care
1.04 – Identify wound etiology and types
1.05 – Analyze wound measurements and characteristics to substantiate use
1.06 – Determine the need for additional diagnostics and subsequent action
Domain 2 – Assessment and Utilization	40%
2.01 – Determine procedural application
2.02 – Explain how product works (physiologically and mechanically)
2.03 – Describe indications/contraindications for use
2.04 – Determine rationale behind use
2.05 – Describe minimum/maximum length of use
2.06 – Determine if other wound care products can be used in conjunction
Domain 3 -Legal/Reimbursement	15%
3.01 – Determine which credentials are legally necessary for application
3.02 – Understand  ICD-10/HCPCS codes/codes for billing purposes
3.03 – Identify acceptable setting/settings for use (home/LTC/Hospital/Clinic)
3.04 – Apply legal and institutional guidelines for accurate documentation
3.05 – Determine preventative strategies to mitigate risk