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Exam Overview
An Overview of the WCC® Exam
Format, scoring, eligibility and policies
The WCC examination is developed and administered by the National Alliance of Wound Care and Ostomy Certification Board (NAWCCB). It is a criterion-referenced exam: each candidate's performance is compared with a fixed standard of competence, not with other candidates, so there is no curve.
| Feature | Detail |
|---|---|
| Credential | WCC® — Wound Care Certified |
| Certifying body | NAWCO / NAWCCB |
| Questions | Up to 110 multiple-choice; 100 scored and 10 unscored pretest items |
| Answer choices | Four options per question; one best answer |
| Testing time | 2 hours |
| Cognitive levels | Knowledge, comprehension, application and analysis |
| Scoring | Scaled score from 100 to 800; passing score 600 |
| Results | Reported as pass or fail; unsuccessful candidates also receive their scaled score |
| Delivery | Computer-based testing at Prometric centers or live remote proctoring; paper-and-pencil at limited sites |
| Fee | $350 examination fee plus a $30 nonrefundable processing fee |
| Certification period | 5 years |
Content Outline and Weighting
| Domain | Weight | ≈ Scored items | Focus |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 · Assessment | 27% | 27 | Etiology, labs, nutrition, history, pain, risk, skin structure, lifespan |
| 2 · Treatment | 25% | 25 | Treatments, dressings, adjunctive therapy, diagnostics, surfaces, referrals, infection |
| 3 · Re-Evaluation | 16% | 16 | Effectiveness, tolerance, adherence, healing progression, phases |
| 4 · Education | 7% | 7 | Patient and caregiver teaching, health literacy |
| 5 · Administration | 7% | 7 | Protocols, facility processes, staff education, data, collaboration |
| 6 · Legal | 6% | 6 | Documentation, regulation, ethics |
| 7 · Risk and Prevention | 12% | 12 | Risk identification and preventive measures |
Domain weight (% of scored items)
Eligibility
Candidates must hold an active, unrestricted license or credential in an eligible discipline (RN, LPN/LVN, NP, PT, PTA, OT, OTA, podiatrist, physician or physician assistant) and meet one education requirement and one experience requirement.
Education — Option A
Completion of an approved skin and wound management training course of at least 20 hours.
Education — Option B
A current wound certification from the WOCNCB (CWCN®, CWON®, CWOCN®) or the ABWM (CWS®, CWSP®).
Experience — Option A
120 hours of hands-on clinical training with an approved preceptor.
Experience — Option B
Two years of full-time or four years of part-time active wound care experience.
Retakes and Recertification
- A candidate may attempt the exam up to four times within two years.
- No waiting period is required between the first and second attempts; 30 days must pass between the second and third and between the third and fourth.
- After four unsuccessful attempts, a one-year waiting period applies.
- The credential is valid for five years and is renewed by examination or an approved recertification pathway; a lapsed credential can be reinstated with an additional fee.
Confirm Current Policies
Fees, eligibility pathways and testing policies are set by NAWCCB and can change. Confirm the current candidate handbook before you apply and again before test day.Why the Credential Matters
Professional Recognition
Validates specialty knowledge in wound assessment, treatment and prevention across care settings.
Career Growth
Supports roles on wound teams, in long-term care, home health, acute care and outpatient wound centers.
Patient Outcomes
Certified clinicians apply evidence-based protocols that reduce facility-acquired pressure injuries and time to healing.
Current Practice
Preparation and recertification keep practice aligned with current guidelines and products.
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