Advanced Practice Certification
CWOCN-AP® - Certified Wound Ostomy Continence Nurse - Advanced Practice
About the CWOCN-AP Exam
The Certified Wound Ostomy Continence Nurse - Advanced Practice (CWOCN-AP) is the WOCNCB tri-specialty Advanced Practice credential. Candidates who pass the wound, ostomy, and continence Advanced Practice examinations within 12 months from the time of application are awarded the CWOCN-AP credential.
CWOCN-AP reflects advanced specialty knowledge across all three WOC specialties at the APRN level. Individual specialty credentials (CWCN-AP, COCN-AP, CCCN-AP) are awarded when exams are completed outside that 12-month window.
WOCNCB reports CWOCN-AP as a combined tri-specialty credential. Pass rates are published for the individual specialty AP exams.
CWOCN-AP Eligibility Requirements
To be eligible for WOCNCB Advanced Practice certification, you must fulfill the following requirements. All initial certifications are by exam.
Who Can Apply?
- 1Hold a current RN license and/or APN license (a copy of the current license must be submitted with your application).
- 2Have completed an MSN or higher nursing degree program to become an APRN (NP, CNS, NMW, or CRNA). Diploma and/or transcripts must accompany the application.
- 3Document basic Wound, Ostomy, and/or Continence knowledge through ONE pathway: current entry-level WOCNCB certification in the specialty(ies) sought, an accredited WOC Nursing Education Program pathway, or the Experiential Pathway (50 specialty CE/CME credits and 1,500 specialty-specific practice hours in the previous five years, with 375 hours in the year before application - or 4,500 / 1,125 hours if applying for all three specialties).
How to Apply
- 1
Review eligibility
Confirm requirements on the WOCNCB Advanced Practice eligibility page and in the Candidate Examination Handbook.
- 2
Apply online
Apply via the PSI Test Takers Portal. Allow up to 10 business days for application processing.
- 3
Schedule your exam
After eligibility confirmation, schedule your exam up to 6 months from application submission (or before current credentials expire if recertifying).
- 4
Prepare with the handbook
Use the Candidate Examination Handbook for exam content outlines, policies, and sample questions.
CWOCN-AP Exam Content & Format
CWOCN-AP is earned by completing the CWCN-AP, COCN-AP, and CCCN-AP specialty examinations within 12 months of application. Review each specialty content outline on the individual exam information pages.
Each specialty Advanced Practice exam includes 110 scored multiple-choice questions and 10 unscored pretest questions. Certification must be re-established every 5 years via exam or AP professional portfolio.
Review each specialty Advanced Practice content outline linked above for full domain details.
CWOCN-AP Application Instructions
Online Application: Apply via the PSI Test Takers Portal.
Application Submission: Submit RN and/or APN license, MSN or higher APRN diploma or transcripts, and pathway-specific documentation (current entry-level WOCNCB certification, WOC education program completion, or Experiential Pathway CE and practice hours). Testing vendor sends email confirmation of eligibility; allow up to 10 business days for processing.
Scheduling the Exam: After eligibility confirmation, schedule up to 6 months from exam application submission (or prior to current credentials expiration if recertifying). Sessions are first-come, first-served. Complete the mandatory clinical component for each specialty before testing.
Exam Format: CWOCN-AP is awarded when the CWCN-AP, COCN-AP, and CCCN-AP exams are passed within 12 months of application. Each specialty Advanced Practice exam comprises 120 multiple-choice questions (110 scored, 10 unscored).
Preparation: Our CWOCN-AP Question Bank is designed to align with the Advanced Practice exam blueprint and support preparation for the CWOCN-AP credential.
Due to State Board of Nursing licensure requirements, contact your State Board of Nursing for licensing and scope of practice questions. Official details: Advanced Practice Exam · Eligibility · Candidate Handbook (PDF)
Preparation and Resources
Wound Care Nursing Review aligns practice questions with the CWCN-AP, COCN-AP, and CCCN-AP specialty outlines so you cover the content you will encounter on the path to the CWOCN-AP credential.
- Topics on Exam: Wound, ostomy, and continence Advanced Practice content: Comprehensive Assessment, Diagnosis, Planning, Implementation, Evaluation, and Professional Issues.
- Official Handbook: Download the Candidate Examination Handbook from WOCNCB for eligibility, content outlines, and policies.
- Question Bank: The CWOCN-AP Question Bank aligns with the exam blueprints and includes 4 timed simulation exams to help gauge readiness.
Resources for the CWOCN-AP Exam
CWOCN-AP Question Bank
Practice questions covering the CWCN-AP, COCN-AP, and CCCN-AP specialty outlines, with detailed rationales and timed simulation exams.
Explore Question Bank →Exam Format
Earn CWOCN-AP by passing the wound, ostomy, and continence Advanced Practice exams within 12 months. Each specialty exam includes 110 scored and 10 unscored questions.
2 hours per specialty exam
WOCNCB Certification
Visit the official WOCNCB Advanced Practice page for eligibility requirements, application procedures, and the candidate handbook.
Visit WOCNCB Website →Prices
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CWOCN-AP Question Bank
What's included
CWOCN-AP Question Bank
What's included
No risk. Cancel within 7 days for a full refund.
CWOCN-AP Recertification
The Certified Wound Ostomy Continence Nurse - Advanced Practice (CWOCN-AP) credential is valid for 5 years. To keep your certification current, complete recertification before it expires. WOCNCB offers two Advanced Practice pathways:
- Recertification by Examination: Pass the wound, ostomy, and continence Advanced Practice exams again before your current credential expires. Apply and schedule through the PSI Test Takers Portal.
- Recertification by AP Professional Portfolio: Submit an Advanced Practice Portfolio that meets current WOCNCB requirements. Review the Advanced Practice recertification page and Candidate Examination Handbook for portfolio rules and deadlines.
CWOCN-AP Related Advanced Practice Credentials
Explore other WOCNCB Advanced Practice credentials in wound, ostomy, and continence nursing.
Certified Wound Care Nurse - Advanced Practice
APRN-level wound specialty knowledge and role competencies
View exam infoCertified Ostomy Care Nurse - Advanced Practice
APRN-level ostomy specialty knowledge and role competencies
View exam infoCertified Continence Care Nurse - Advanced Practice
APRN-level continence specialty knowledge and role competencies
View exam info