Previously Asked Questions

Question:
We have a new WOC team member who attended a credentialed academic program and previously passed all 3 exams and is certified in Wound/Ostomy/Continence specialty areas in Brazil. If she has the paperwork to support the certifications and educational program, can she avoid re-taking the exams in the USA and submit PGP points instead to be recognized in our country? Thank-you, Dawn Engels, WOC nurse

Question:
Relating to CE's for PGP submission at a Regional Conference: Here is how it is listed on the program: 10:30 - 11:30 (C) then the authors.... Incontinence Associated Dermatitis and Intertriginous Associated Dermatitis Discussion. I remember this discussion and it related to data collection for patients in an acute care setting for prevalence and incidence of IAD or ITD and should that be part of a P & I study similar to Pressure Injury P & I study. My question is, could this topic be used a CE for wound even though the program list a "C" for continence? I have come across similar scenarios so just wanting clarification if possible.

Answered November 20, 2024
You may determine which specialty to which it applies and clarify in the portfolio how it is related to the applicable specialty. For example, incontinence-associated dermatitis may relate to either continence or wound; and depending on the circumstances, fistula management may fit into any of the three wound, ostomy, or continence (WOC) specialties. Then, we do not need the presenter/author names, just the amount of time or number of CE. For example, Incontinence Associated Dermatitis (1.0 CE).

Question:
I have read the PGP handbook and would like clarification. Do we need points in all three categories? Or is it okay to use only 2 categories, for example Practice Hours and CE/CEU categories to total 80 hours for each specialty.

Answered November 15, 2024
It is not required to have points in all 3 PGP categories, and is okay to use only two of them. A portfolio with CE and Practice Hours would be acceptable.

Question:
How can I "pre-submit" my AP recertification application even 1 year in advance in order to see if you will approve certain CEs or not?

Answered November 15, 2024
There is not a pre-approval process for an AP application to recertify. You will include CE that pertain to the clinical specialty and would be reviewed within a submitted portfolio. If any CE would be unacceptable, as not relating to the specialty, you are able to replace them with others that are appropriate, as long as they occurred within your 5-year recertification period, which ends at the portfolio deadline of 3 months prior to credentials expiration. We hope this clarifies.

Question:
My last name has changed since getting certified. Some of my PGP material will have my previous last name - will those still be accepted? If not, what can I do to ensure they are accepted?

Answered November 14, 2024
You would only need the documents if the PGP portfolio is audited after it is submitted. If there are CE documents or other material with a previous name, you can use them in the audit along with a name change document to show that it belongs to you.

Question:
Do you anticipate updates in the AP recertification PGP requirements? I do not do any of the special projects that are required for each specialty and it is easier for me to re-certify by exam.

Answered November 12, 2024
We will have revision updates to the AP portfolio requirements, in the very near future. Please watch the website and your email for announcements.

Question:
In looking at PGP/ POster says can enter : viewing" after conf viewed 8-10 pposters does not say to enter titles how man and how do we get PGP points viewing?

Answered November 9, 2024
Thank you for your question. Please review page 10 of the Handbook for instructions. You do not need to enter each title separately. Good luck

Question:
I help developed posters that were accepted to conferences with my colleagues. For what is your level of participation, I clicked "developed". However, when I go back to check the same activity, it changed to "presented". Is that okay?

Answered November 9, 2024
Thanks for your question. Please call or email the WOCNCB office directly. Phone: (888) 496-2622 E-mail: info@wocncb.org

Question:
Can I claim 1500 hours for practice hours? I only see 2000, 1000, 500 and 250 listed as choices.

Answered November 9, 2024
You could enter Practice Hours once for 1,000 and once for 500 hours. That allows you to get the full 1,500. You are, essentially, adding them as three activities.

Question:
I am on a Unit Based Task force and want to know if this is strictly a PP or if it can be counted as Specialty points? It populates only as PP and no option for Specialty. Also, to clarify, PP can only be 10 points of portfolio and Specialty points the rest? I am confused. Please clarify. If i have 40 points clinic hours/14 points CEU, I did a PowerPoint presentation of complex fistula and treatment that I devised to RMR meeting 10 points. Total 64 specialty points then Max of 10 PP points that is 74. The rest would need to be specialty points or could I use more PP points as well to total 80.

Answered November 8, 2024
For a PGP portfolio, anything that you enter for points will need to be identified whether they relate to the specialty (a wound CE pertaining to that specialty may go into a wound portfolio since it relates to wound care), or may relate to "professional" topics. For example, a professional topic CE might be "Legal Issues" and therefore is a "Professional Practice" CE. So, when entering your CE, you will mark the checkbox for either Specialty or PP, depending on the subject matter content. Then, separately, within your total 80 PGP points, at least Half must pertain to the specialty. Keep in mind an entire portfolio could have activities that are ALL related to the specialty, since PP is not a requirement (meaning your portfolio does not need to contain items related to "professional" topics.) When you do include items pertaining to PP topics, for example a committee, is when we are Limiting how many points in PP topics can be used. For the CE category, on its own, you are limited to 10 CE pertaining to PP topics. For the PGP portfolio overall, since you MUST have at least half is related to the specialty, this leaves you with a limit of 40 that may pertain to PP. A portfolio example might be -- 10 specialty CE, 40 practice hours, and 30 in committee work. Please contact us directly if you have more questions.