Who is eligible to take the CWS examination?

AAWM has various criteria that we use to determine who is eligible for the examination.  The handbook, which is available online or can be mailed to you, clearly states our criteria.  Any licensed healthcare professional with a Bachelors, Doctoral or Master's degree in a life sciences related field who has three (3) or more years of clinical wound care experience is eligable.  This is documented through your three letters of reference, resume, and application.

How much is the first-time exam fee? How much is the re-test fee?

The first-time exam fee is $550.00 mailed directly to AAWM before your exam date. 

The re-test fee is $200.00 mailed directly to AAWM before your exam date.

Does AAWM offer courses to help me prepare for the exam?

At this time, the CWS® examination is a  self-preparation exam.  We offer an outline of the exam in our Candidate Handbook.  The American College of Certified Wound Specialists™, an organization that was formed in January 2005 and works in conjunction with the AAWM, will be developing wound care courses beginning in 2008. Candidates may take these courses to help prepare them for the CWS® exam.  You may visit The College's website at www.theccws.org for more information.

Where do I send my transcript?

Sealed and mailed from the school / university of your highest level of education to your home.  It must be mailed with your entire completed application. If your school no longer provides transcripts, you will need to send all copies of any licenses, certifications, diploma, or any proof that you attended the school.

What if I graduated from a university in another country? A)  Do you still need my transcripts forwarded?  B)  I do not have a sealed official copy of my transcript or access to one. 

If you have additional paper work proving your education, for example from the ECFMG, then those materials will suffice in place of your transcript.  We also require a $35.00 fee if you are unable to provide the AAWM with your transcript.

Can individuals outside of the United States sit for the Board Certification Examination?

At this time, we offer the exam to any health professional who has had the required amount of wound care experience.  Testing locations are only offered in the United States.

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 from our test administrators. You can then find the site and schedule a 4 hour exam time within the 2 week testing period.

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. 

May I have my test hand-scored? 

Yes, you may request to AAWM in writing (fax, e-mail, or mail) to have your test hand-scored if you think there is a possibility your scores are incorrect.  We will forward your request on to PTC and they will mail you their results.

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.

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.

When do I re-register?  Re-registrations are mailed in January  of each year.  The re-registration fee is $150.00 annually.   

How many Continuing Education hours do I need each year to remain certified?  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 between the date of your last re-registration payment and the date of your current re-registration form.

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.

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?

You may update your address with us via e-mail or by calling the office.

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.

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.

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.   

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 office via mail, fax or e-mail with your full name and address and the questions will be forwarded to the Exam Committee for review.

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.

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 call the AAWM office to request a position on the Exam Committee and we will notify you when a position opens.

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.

When do I re-certify?

Each CWS® will recertify 10 years after their certification date. The first group of CWSs will re-certified in 2006. The re-certification process requires you to complete a self-assessment examination. The re-certification fee is $400.00. Diplomates must achieve a passing score on the assessment (approximately 80%). If Diplomates do not successfully pass the self-assessment, they must then register for and pay to take the next regularly scheduled written examination.  Failure of this examination will result in revocation of their CWS® certification. The testing agency, Professional Testing Corporation, will forward the self-assessment examination to you within two weeks of receiving your recertification application.  Re-certification applicants will have up to 90 days after they receive the exam to return it to PTC.  It would be to your advantage to complete the self-assessment as soon as it is convenient so as not to inadvertently miss the deadline. 

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