| 1. |
Who is eligible
to take the CWS examination?
To be eligible to sit for the CWS™ exam an applicant must have a Bachelor’s degree in a life science field, and possess three (3) years of clinical experience in wound care or have completed a fellowship of at least one year in duration that is certified by a credentialing organization and supply a letter of recommendation from the Fellowship program director and a CWS™ that was actively involved in the wound care training; and, be licensed or certified to practice one of the following professions (MD, DO, DPM, RN, PA, PT, OT, DMD, VMD).
Clinical experience is documented
through your three letters of reference, resume, and
application. Back to Top^ |
| 2. |
How much is the exam fee? How
much is the re-test fee?
The early registration exam fee is $550.00 mailed directly
to AAWM by the early registration date. Any application post-marked after the stated early deadline is subject to an additional $50.00 fee. No applications will be accepted after the late registration date.
The re-test fee is $200.00, which is to be mailed along with your PTC Application directly to AAWM
before your exam date. Back to Top^ |
| 3. |
Where is the CWS examination offered?
To find a testing center nearest you, visit www.psiexams.com and follow these instructions
- Click on Certification/Professional Associations
- Select American Academy of Wound Management as the sponsor
- Click on Test Centers under Information Links section on right
- Fill out the form to see up to 20 Testing Centers matching your specified criteria
- For additional questions, contact PSI at
1-800-733-9267
Back to Top^
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| 4. |
Does AAWM offer courses to help me prepare
for the exam?
The AAWM is legally restricted from endorsing or recommending any wound care examination review course. Back to Top^ |
| 5. |
Can individuals outside of the United States
sit for the Board Certification Examination?
Testing locations are offered in the United States, Canada, and Pueto Rico. Test sites in the US Territories can be coordinated through an area univeristy for an additional $75.00. Please include the name and address of the institution, faculty contact, and two desired dates within the testing period. Back to Top^ |
| 6. |
How will I know the exact location and time
of the exam site?
Once your application is processed and approved information on how to schedule a time at a local testing site will be sent to you by mail by the Professional Testing Corporation (PTC) about 3 weeks prior to the exam date. You can then find the site and schedule a 4 hour exam time within the 2 week testing period. If you do not receive an eligibility notice within 10 days prior of the scheduled exam period, please contact PTC directly at 212-356-0660. Back to Top^ |
| 7. |
When do I receive my exam scores?
You will receive your exam scores via mail four to
six weeks after your examination date, directly from
the Professional Testing Center. Please do not
call AAWM to find out your score. Back to Top^ |
| 8. |
May I have my test hand-scored?
Yes, please email tcalamari@aawm.org.
AAWM will forward your request on to PTC and they will
mail you their results. Back to Top^ |
| 9. |
Do I receive a certificate and ID card after
passing the CWS™ examination?
Yes, upon passing the exam, you will receive your complimentary
certificate in the mail approximately three months after
your examination date. You must return your address/credentials
verification form to the AAWM before receiving your
certificate. You will also receive an ID card
and lapel pin approximately six weeks after your examination
date. We will mail you a replacement ID card if
you misplace it. You may order extra certificates
for $25.00 each. Back to Top^ |
| 10. |
How is this certification useful to me as
a healthcare professional?
As a healthcare professional, the CWS™ credential
can allow you to obtain promotions, pay raises, greater
job opportunities, and personal pride. Please
contact the AAWM is you wish to be sent an advocacy
letter or if you wish to have one sent to your employer.
Back to Top^ |
| 11. |
When do I renew?
How many Continuing Education
hours do I need each year to remain certified?
CWS™ Renewals are due at the end of January of each year. The renewal
fee is $150.00.
A minimum of six (6) hours of CEUs are required each year
to stay certified. This information should be
mailed in with your re-registration form each year.
Your CEUs must be completed during the calendar year of the preceeding renewal. Back to Top^ |
| 12. |
My certification has lapsed without my knowledge,
and I have received a letter stating that I have been
revoked. A) Why wasn’t I notified by
e-mail or phone? B) I did not receive any
notices prior to this. C) I wish to keep
the CWS™,
credential. D) Is there anything I can do to keep
my certification, and do I have to retake the Board
Certification Exam?
You should have received three notices and a warning
letter by mail previous to the “Revocation Letter.”
Please contact the AAWM to check and see if we have
your correct address. Please contact the AAWM to
request your “re-instatement,” however,
you must provide your CEU information and send the AAWM
your yearly re-registration payment of $150.00. Back
to Top^ |
| 13. |
I have recently changed addresses, but am
not sure which address you have. Can I change
this information online, or should I contact the AAWM?
Please email tcalamari@aawm.org with your updated address. Back to Top^ |
| 14. |
I am trying to choose a wound care education
seminar/conference to attend to brush up on my wound
care knowledge and obtain continuing education credits.
Which ones are the best?
The AAWM does not endorse any meetings or seminars
listed. Back to Top^ |
| 15. |
As a CWS™, what initials am I allowed to place after my name and when am I allowed to do so?
Once you pass the CWS™ Exam you are a Diplomate
of the AAWM and you can use the initials "CWS"
after your name on documents, websites, signatures,
etc. We ask that when you place the "™"
sign after the initials when referring to the credential
in published works. You do not have to place the "™"
after the initials next to your name. Back to Top^ |
| 16. |
Do you have a list of CWSs in __________
city or _________state?
Please visit the website (www.aawm.org) and click on
"Certified Wound Specialists" and search for
CWSs in a particular area of the country. Back to Top^
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| 17. |
I have some questions I would like to submit
to be considered for use in future examinations.
How would I go about sending these in?
Please submit your exam questions to the AAWM to tcalamari@aawm.org
and the questions will be forwarded to the Exam Committee
for review. Back to Top^ |
| 18. |
Do you have a mailing list?
Yes, we offer a mailing list of our current Diplomates.
The mailing list fee is $100 for CWSs and $1,500 for
non-CWSs. The list is available in hard-copy mailing
labels only. Please email tcalamari@aawm.org. Back to Top^ |
| 19. |
I would like to be on the Exam Committee,
but it always seems like it is full. How can I
participate in this committee?
Please email the AAWM office to request a position
on the Exam Committee and we will notify you when a
position opens. Back to Top^ |
| 20. |
Can the AAWM answer questions about a specific
course of treatment or wound care product?
At this time the AAWM is strictly a certifying organization
only and cannot answer these types of questions.Back to Top^ |
| 21. |
When do I re-certify?
Each CWS™will recertify 10 years
after their certification date. The re-certification process
requires you to sit for the CWS™ Exam, which is offered in April and October of each year.
The re-certification fee is $550.00. An application is available here. Diplomates must
achieve a passing score on the exam. If Diplomates do not successfully pass the exam,
they must then register for and pay to take the next
regularly scheduled CWS™ Exam. Failure
of this examination will result in revocation of their
CWS™ certification. The testing agency, Professional
Testing Corporation, will forward the examination results to you within four to six weeks of taking the exam. Back to Top^ |
