CWS Certified Wound Specialist Exam

The Certified Wound Specialist (CWS®) credential is awarded by the American Board of Wound Management (ABWM) to licensed clinicians who show advanced, interdisciplinary knowledge of wound care. The exam tests the science of healing, assessment, treatment selection, and professional practice, with many questions written as clinical scenarios.

• Computer-based exam taken by appointment at a Pearson VUE test center
• Each question has four answer choices and one best answer
• Pretest questions are mixed in and not identified, so treat every question as scored
• An on-screen calculator is available for calculation items
• Plan on about 1 minute 10 seconds per question

• A current, unrestricted license as a DO, MD, DPM, NP, PA, PT, OT, PharmD, RD, RN, or DVM
• At least three years of clinical wound care experience, or a wound care fellowship of at least one year
• An online application with a CV, personal statement, licenses, three professional references, and a signed code of ethics statement

• The passing point is criterion-referenced: set by wound care experts and approved by the ABWM board, not graded on a curve
• Your score report shows the number of questions you answered correctly and the number needed to pass
• Domain sub-scores are shown for feedback only and do not decide pass or fail
• Results are given at the test center when you finish

• The first-time application fee is $595; check ABWM for retest, reschedule, and international fees before you apply
• You may retest 30 days after an attempt, within two years of the first exam; after three unsuccessful attempts, 20 hours of wound management continuing education are required before the next attempt
• The credential lasts ten years and is renewed by passing the exam again
• An annual renewal fee and at least six hours of wound-related continuing education each year keep the credential active

The exam follows ABWM's five-domain content outline. This guide uses the same five domains, in the same order.