Previously Asked Questions

Question:
I am looking to take a WOC course to then take the WOCN exam. does the board recognize Web WOC program ( https://webwocnurse.com/about-us/accreditation/ ) when taking the exam for wocn?

Answered January 27, 2025
There are 8 "traditional pathway" WOC Nursing Education Programs and WebWOC has one of those. However, WebWOC also has an "experiential pathway" course that has curriculum which does not provide the clinical hours as part of that course. So, depending on which of WebWOC's courses you were to take would mean applying in the correct pathway. If you choose a course to be used in the Experiential Pathway, it means you must also have 1500 practice hours in the specialty (your own work experience) as long as 375 of the practice hours occurred in the past one year. Please review our "Eligibility" page on the website, listed under "Certification / Wound Ostomy Continence."

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.