Previously Asked Questions

Question:
In the hospital does the physician need to implement the initial treatment plan and update as needed or can the wound care nurse use her judgment and place the orders. Also how often does the physician need to see the patients wounds?

Answered April 27, 2026
As the certification board (WOCNCB) organization, our role is to test your knowledge specific to wound care, however, we are not your Governing Body on what you can or cannot practice. That is because each State Board of Nursing has different practice acts and will vary by state and are your governing board for what you are allowed in your state. Therefore, specific practice questions may be better directed to your state board. You may also want to review evidence-based practice publications/texts for best practices. Additionally, your facility may have guidelines on what they would allow. Another example is that, an NP and an RN can each both hold a CWCN credential but are at different practice levels. Your CWCN is the formal recognition of your knowledge in the specialty.

Question:
Hi I have let my WOC nurse certification lapse and want to recertification using the experiential pathway. I am still working. I have approximately 30 to 40 CE each in wound and Ostomy . Can you tell me if attendance to a WOCN conference rewards points aside from the CE credits. How do I submit these CE credits. Thank you

Answered April 25, 2026
Attendance at the WOCN Society's conference would count for any CE's you would earn, and only those pertaining to Wound for a wound certification. There are not other hours counted for a conference.

Question:
Hello, I am recertifying in Wound Care through the PGP pathway and would like clarification on two questions: 1. I work full-time in a WOC nursing role that includes inpatient wound care and some ostomy care. For a wound-only portfolio, may I claim a conservative estimate of wound practice hours by excluding scheduled ostomy clinic time? 2. I am a member of a facility shared governance committee and have meeting invitations and recap emails as documentation. Does shared governance participation count within any current PGP category for a wound portfolio? Thank you, Shawna

Answered April 25, 2026
Thank you for your questions. 1. If you are working full time in a WOC Role you can claim the max amount of 2000 hours per specialty per 5 years. refer to page 11 of PGP Handbook 2. Shared Governance committee member can be claimed Category 3 - Facility organizations - Professional Practice, page 13 of the PGP Handbook.

Question:
Is the cwocn called clinical nurse specialist?

Answered November 17, 2017
Clinical Nurse Specialists (CNS) are registered nurses who typically hold a master's degree, at minimum, along with national certification denoting advanced knowledge and clinical skills specific to a particular patient population or specialized area of nursing. Therefore, this designation (CNS) is not issued by our credentialing body, WOCNCB, but rather by a state board of nursing or perhaps given by the university while earning the MSN. In some states, it is a practice-based designation to use CNS.

Question:
Does the APN WOCN certification meet the requirements for CMS for an APN, and thus the Medicare provider #?

Answered May 30, 2009
The WOCNCB AP credentials would not meet the CMS requirements for an APN. The ability to obtain a Medicare provider number is based upon your advance practice credential, CNS or NP. Certifications of any type, including the WOCNCB credentials, enhance your scope of practice.