The Certification Committee has established the following requirements for determining eligibility to sit for the WCC Certification Examination. Effective November 1, 2018, NAWCO implemented the eligibility requirements as listed below to determine a candidate’s eligibility. Review previous eligibility criteria HERE.
The WCC is a specialty credential for licensed practitioners in the disciplines of nursing, occupational therapy, physical therapy, and medicine in the United States providing direct hands-on and/or consultative skin and wound management in all health care settings. The purpose of the WCC certification is to demonstrate a candidate’s proficiency and mastery of essential knowledge and skills in Skin and Wound Care Management above basic licensure in a discipline. The program promotes consumer protection and confers peer and public recognition to those individuals who prove proficient in their practice. Scope The scope of practice for the Wound Care Certified (WCC) health care professional is performed in accordance with legislation code and scope of practice as determined by each respective professional state regulatory board along with prospective employer mandated guidelines. The WCC certification is based on US practice; however international candidates who meet the eligibility requirements may apply and earn certification. The scope of practice established by the National Alliance of Wound Care and Ostomy provides each certified health care provider with an understanding of their role and responsibilities as a member of the interdisciplinary wound care team. The WCC provides direct hands-on and/or consultative skin and wound management in all health care settings. As with any specialty, certification does not supersede state practice acts nor does it permit a clinician to practice beyond their individual knowledge or expertise.
The chart below shows the options and eligibility requirements needed to sit for the Wound Care Certified certification exam. Review the information to see which option best suits your experience and education.
*ADDITIONAL FEES APPLY FOR SKIN AND WOUND MANAGEMENT COURSES OFFERED BY EDUCATION PROVIDERS. (Click here for Certification Committee criteria)
*Experience: Option B – Experience must be within the past 5 years.
NAWCO will require proof of completion of training by way of the Certificate of Completion awarded upon completion of the course.
REFER TO THE WCC Candidate Exam Handbook FOR COMPLETE DETAILS.
Complete the NAWCO Online Application for the WCC certification examination.
Upon passing the WCC certification exam, candidates may use the initials “WCC”, Wound Care Certified, to designate their status. Credentials are awarded for a five (5) year period. Prior to the expiration of the credentialing term, certificants are required to recertify with the NAWCO to maintain their credentials.
On May 10, 2019, the National Commission for Certifying Agencies (NCCA) granted accreditation to the National Alliance of Wound Care and Ostomy Wound Care Certified (WCC) Certification for demonstrating compliance with the NCCA Standards for the Accreditation of Certification Programs. The accreditation is valid for 5 years. NCCA is the accrediting body of the Institute for Credentialing Excellence. The NCCA Standards were created in 1977 and updated in 2016 to ensure certification programs adhere to modern standards of practice for the certification industry. The National Alliance of Wound Care and Ostomy joins an elite group of more than 130 organizations representing over 315 programs that have received and maintained NCCA accreditation. More information on the NCCA is available online at www.credentialingexcellence.org/NCCA or by calling 202/367-1165.
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