Certified Wound and Ostomy Care Nurse (CWOCN) Test

The Certified Wound and Ostomy Care Nurse certification indicates specialization in the area of managing and treating patients with an ostomy and the management and prevention of wounds. This specialization focuses on those patients with chronic disease processes that may require an ostomy along with the prevention of potential wound complications.

In order to be eligible to take the Certified Wound and Ostomy Care Nurse exam, the applicant must be a licensed Registered Nurse who has a Baccalaureate Degree. Initially, the RN must obtain Wound, Ostomy, Continence Nursing Certification Board (WOCNCB) certification. At least 1,500 hours of employment engaged in caring for patients with at least one ostomy and/or wounds must have been completed within the past 5 years, with 375 of those hours obtained during the past year. In addition, at least 50 continuing education hours in ostomy and wound care should be completed in the past 5 years.

The Certified Wound and Ostomy Care Nurse exam is offered quarterly at various testing centers across the United States. The fee to take the exam is $300 with discounts applied if more than one WOCNCB certification exam is taken at a time.

The exam questions focus on testing the RN’s knowledge of care of the patient with at least one ostomy and treatment and/or prevention of skin wounds that may be associated with an ostomy. These can address the physiological processes involved with an ostomy, along with the psychosocial and behavioral needs of the patient. The exam also contains questions pertaining to the specific pathophysiologic processes involved with wound formation and repair, along with specific treatment modalities used to treat wounds. A portion of the exam also tests the RN’s knowledge on the specific devices used with an ostomy.

Certification as a Certified Wound and Ostomy Care Nurse is valid for 5 years. At that time, the RN can retake the exam to recertify, or requirements for the Professional Growth Program are met to qualify for recertification. This program utilizes a mixture of direct patient care and continuing education activities to meet specific requirements necessary to maintain certification.

Nursing Certification Central