WCC® Recertification Requirements


Applicants for recertification of the WCC credential must meet all of the following criteria:

1. Active unrestricted license as a Registered Nurse, Licensed Practical/Vocational Nurse, Nurse Practitioner, Physical Therapist, Physical Therapy Assistant, Occupational Therapist, Physician or Physician’s Assistant.

2. Current WCC credential. (Not lapsed)

3. Payment of required fees.

4. Submission of recertification application for one of the following recertification options:
    a. Examination
    b. Training-Included with WCEI Application if applied prior to April 1, 2010
    c. Continuing Education
    d. Continuing Education and Outreach Program (CEOP)


Recertification Options

WCCs must choose one of the following four recertification options:

Option 1 - Recertification by Training

This recertification option allows candidates to attend an NAWC approved Wound Management Certification Training Course
(course only, no exam required).

NAWC approved Wound Management Certification Training Course is offered by:

Wound Care Education Institute
1700 Park Street Suite 100
Naperville, Illinois 60563
877-462-9234
www.wcei.net

Effective April 2, 2010*. Wound Care Education Institute (WCEI) fees are $800, plus a $30 application fee. These fees INCLUDE your recertification fees. You will apply directly to WCEI through their website at www.wcei.net. Candidates are responsible for enrollment and associated fees, and must attend all scheduled class sessions without tardiness or absence to qualify for certificate of completion. *If you regisitered and paid WCEI only the $500 course fee prior to April 2, 2010, you will still need to submit the recertification application and fees of $300 to the NAWC.

Completion of the Wound Management Certification Training Course must be no sooner than one (1) year prior to expiration of WCC status.

Option 2 -Recertification by Examination

This option allows you to apply for recertification by retaking the NAWC® certification examination. The NAWC certification exam is available in a computerized format with a total testing time of two (2) hours. A passing score is required to qualify for recertification.

Candidates who take the certification examination and are unsuccessful may retake the examination a total of three times within one year of expiration of WCC status. Application and fees are required for each examination.

By choosing the option of recertification by examination, WCCs forfeit the opportunity for any other options for recertification. Example: A WCC who fails an attempt to recertify by examination cannot then choose to recertify by continuing education credits, training program or CEOP program.


Option 3 - Recertification by Continuing Education

To recertify by continuing education, sixty (60) contact hours (same as clock hours) of continuing education related to wound or skin care management must be earned within the five year certification period. All contact hours must be obtained during the five year period to ensure adequate and current continuing education. A contact hour is defined as a unit of measurement that describes 1 hour of an approved organized learning experience.
(Note: A contact hour is different from a CEU. One (1) CEU = ten (10) contact hours OR ten (10) clock hours).

To receive credit for the contact hours, the educational program must be approved/accredited by either the state board governing your primary license (or any state board governing the professional license type under which you practice), American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC), American Physical Therapy Association, (APTA), National Alliance of Wound Care (NAWC), Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME), or Council on Podiatric Medical Education (CPME).

Option 4 - Recertification by Continuing Education and Outreach Program (CEOP)

To qualify for recertification in the Continuing Education & Outreach Program (CEOP) WCC must submit documentation of participation in all three components listed in the following:

1. Continuing Education: Documentation of thirty (30) contact hours (clock hours) of continuing education related to wound or skin care management is required. A contact hour is defined as a unit of measurement that describes one (1) hour of an approved organized learning experience. To receive credit for the contact hours, the educational program must be approved/accredited by either the state board governing your primary license (or any state board governing the professional license type under which you practice), American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC), American Physical Therapy Association, (APTA), National Alliance of Wound Care (NAWC®), Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME), or Council on Podiatric Medical Education (CPME).

2. Community Outreach Project: Each renewal candidate must provide documentation of voluntary participation/direction in a community wound care service offering. The service offering may be at a local, state, regional, national, or international level, but must be directly related to wound care services for the consumer/patient.

Examples may include: community diabetic foot clinic, volunteering WCC expertise in consultation to the uninsured and/or needy patient, wound care education presentation to community, senior centers, college/high school students, nursing homes or service groups. WCC may contact NAWC for approval of ideas.

3. Each renewal candidate must provide documentation of one of the following:

  • Publication of a wound care article or research project in a newsletter, book, journal, or chapter of a book used for healthcare professionals or consumers. WCC's name must be published (listed) as the author to qualify.

  • Presentation of a wound care white paper or poster designed for healthcare professionals or consumers.

  • Leadership in a professional wound care organization, demonstrated in a volunteer capacity at a local, state, regional, national, or international level. WCC must be an officer, board member, committee member or approved NAWC preceptor.

  • Research project in wound care conducted by WCC. WCC's name must be identified as the primary/co-primary investigator or project director to meet requirement.

Recertification Downloads


Click here for the WCC Recertification Handbook

Click here to request an application by Email or US Mail

 

Adobe Acrobat Reader is required to view and/or print the above materials.
Click here to download free Adobe Acrobat Reader software.