How to Apply: CWCA, CWS and CWSP

How to Apply: CWCA®, CWS® and CWSP®

Find out how to apply by clicking on the individual arrow buttons to expand one or expand all.

For First-Time Candidates

1. Download and complete the Candidate Handbook and Application** for the appropriate National Board Certification Examination. If you are not sure which application to complete, please view the Certification Eligibility page.

Certified Wound Care Associate® (CWCA®) Candidate Handbook and Application

Certified Wound Specialist® (CWS®) Candidate Handbook and Application

Certified Wound Specialist Physician® (CWSP®) Candidate Handbook and Application

**If you wish to sit for an exam outside of the United States, please include the International Testing Application Addendum Form with your application, as well as the appropriate International Testing Fee.

2. Submit your completed application in hard copy to:

American Wound Management Organizations

All materials should arrive at the American Wound Management Organizations office in a single envelope. FedEx and USPS certified mail is recommended.

Allow a minimum of 15 business days for review and processing.

Upon approval, you will be able to schedule your examination at a local testing center for any time in the following 90 days, based on availability. Your three-month eligibility window will begin immediately upon application approval. Do not submit your application until you are prepared for your three-month eligibility window to begin. Window extensions will not be granted.

Completed applications will include:

1. Completed Application Checklist, with each item initialed

2. Completed Cover Page

3. Completed Application Payment page

4. Completed AAWM Application with signed application signature page, affirming your adherence to the policies set forth in the Candidate Handbook and the Code of Ethics form.

5. Professional Resume or Curriculum Vitae

6. Personal statement, a narrative description of the required three years of wound care experience and direct patient care, if applicable.

7. Copy or online printout of professional license(s), or copies if you hold more than one, and board certifications.

8. Three letters of reference from any professional colleagues, sealed in their original envelopes. Letters should discuss wound care knowledge, skills, and expertise; and must document the required years of experience. Form or identical letters will not be accepted; emailed or faxed letters will not be accepted.

(*Please note that for current CWS’s who are applying for the CWSP exam, items 5-8 may be substituted with a copy of your current CWS ID Card.
For current CWCA’s who are applying for the CWS exam, items 5-8 may be substituted with a copy of your current CWCA ID Card.)

3. Once your application to sit for the certification examination has been approved, you should expect to receive two notifications directly from our testing company AMP/PSI. The notifications will arrive first by e-mail, and second by a mailed postcard, and will include information on how to schedule your exam.

4. Once you have received your approval notifications, you may schedule your exam for any time in the following 90 days, based on availability at your local testing center.

For more information about selecting the date, time and location of your exam, please view the Exam Scheduling page.

For a list of locations where the exam is offered, please view the AMP Assessment Centers.

5. Upon completing the exam, a score report will be generated immediately for candidates testing in the US. Candidates who sit for the exam outside of the US will have their exam results mailed to them from AMP.

If you pass the exam, you will be considered either an Associate or a Diplomate of the AAWM. You will receive a Welcome Packet from AAWM approximately two to four weeks after passing the exam. The Welcome Packet will include: a letter congratulating you on your accomplishment, an immediate press release, an employer advocacy letter, and a pin and patch for you to proudly display your new designation. You will also be issued a certificate by AMP. Associates and Diplomates of the AAWM will be required to renew their certification annually by paying a $150 renewal fee, and by completing six hours of Continuing Education Units (CEUs) in order to maintain their certification. Associates and Diplomates of the AAWM will be required to recertify after ten years by sitting for the appropriate examination again.

If you do not pass the exam, you may apply to Re-test after 90 days. You may apply to Re-test for up to two years following your initial examination. Candidates who wish to Re-test after two years must submit an entirely new Application for National Board Certification. Candidates who wish to re-test more than three times will need to provide documentation of 20 CEUs for each additional attempt.

For Re-Testing Candidates

1. Download the AAWM Re-Test Application.

2. Submit your completed application by mail, fax, or e-mail to:

Candidates who wish to retake an exam must wait 90 days after their previous exam date before their new three-month eligiblity window begins. Candidates may submit a Re-Test Application Form prior to the end of the 90 day waiting period; the new three-month eligibility window will start 90 days after their previous exam date.

Your application must be received a minimum of 15 business days prior to your desired exam date. Upon approval, you will be able to schedule your examination at a local testing center for any time in the following 90 days, based on availability.Your three-month eligibility window will begin immediately upon application approval. Do not submit your application until you are prepared for your three-month eligibility window to begin. Window extensions will not be granted.

Completed applications will include:

Completed and signed AAWM Re-test Application form
Re-test Fee for the appropriate examination.

3. Once your application to sit for the certification examination has been approved, you should expect to receive two notifications directly from our testing company AMP/PSI. The notifications will arrive first by e-mail, and second by a mailed post card, and will include information on how to schedule your exam.

4. Once you have received your approval notifications, you may schedule your exam for any time in the following 90 days, based on availability at your local testing center.

For more information about selecting the date, time and location of your exam, please view the Exam Scheduling page.

For a list of locations where the exam is offered, please view the AMP Assessment Centers.

For 10-Year Re-Certifying Candidates

1. Download the AAWM Recertification Application. Candidates who fail to recertify 10 years after their initial certification will have their Associate or Diplomate status revoked, and will no longer be permitted to use their credential.

For more information regarding recertification, please view the Renewal & Recertification Handbook.

Your application must be received a minimum of 15 business days prior to your desired exam date. Upon approval, you will be able to schedule your examination at a local testing center for any time in the following 90 days, based on availability. Your three-month eligibility window will begin immediately upon application approval. Do not submit your application until you are prepared for your three-month eligibility window to begin. Window extensions will not be granted.

Completed applications will include:

Completed and signed AAWM Recertification Application form
Recertification Fee for the appropriate examination.

3. Once your application to sit for the certification examination has been approved, you should expect to receive two notifications directly from our testing company AMP/PSI. The notifications will arrive first by e-mail, and second by a mailed post card, and will include information on how to schedule your exam.

4. Once you have received your approval notifications, you may schedule your exam for any time in the following 90 days, based on availability at your local testing center.

For more information about selecting the date, time and location of your exam, please view the Exam Scheduling page.

For a list of locations where the exam is offered, please view the AMP Assessment Centers.

If you pass the exam, you will maintain either your Associate or Diplomate status. You will receive a Recertification Welcome Packet from American Wound Management Organizations approximately two to four weeks after passing the exam. The Welcome Packet will include: a letter congratulating you on your accomplishment, an immediate press release, an employer advocacy letter, and a pin and patch for you to proudly display your maintained designation. You will also be issued a certificate by AMP. Associates and Diplomates of the AAWM will be required to renew their certification annually by paying a $150 renewal fee, and by completing six hours of Continuing Education Units (CEUs) in order to maintain their certification. Associates and Diplomates of the AAWM will be required to recertify after ten years by sitting for the appropriate examination again.

If you do not pass the exam, your Associate or Diplomate status will be revoked. You will not be permitted to use your credential again until successfully passing the examination. In order to be re-instated, you may apply to Re-test after 90 days. You may apply to Re-test for up to two years following your initial examination. Candidates who wish to Re-test after two years must submit an entirely new Application for National Board Certification. Candidates who wish to re-test more than three times will need to provide documentation of 20 CEUs for each exam attempt.