CWON® - Certified Wound Ostomy Nurse
About the CWON Exam
The Certified Wound Ostomy Nurse (CWON) credential is conferred by the Wound, Ostomy, and Continence Nursing Certification Board (WOCNCB). CWON is the dual specialty credential earned by successfully completing the wound and ostomy specialty exams.
Board certification ensures that a nurse is knowledgeable and well qualified to provide specialized wound and ostomy care for patients wound and ostomy needs. Certification must be re-established every five years.
CWON Eligibility Requirements
According to WOCNCB eligibility for wound and ostomy exams, initial candidates must hold a current RN license, hold a bachelor's (or higher) degree, and complete one of the following pathways:
Who Can Apply?
- 1Traditional Pathway: Graduate from a WOCN Society-accredited WOC Nursing Education Program within the past 5 years (from the date of exam application). The program must have been accredited at the time of graduation.
- 2Experiential Pathway: For each specialty (wound and ostomy), complete 50 CE/CME credits (or equivalent college coursework) and 1,500 specialty-specific practice hours within the previous five years, with 375 of those hours in the year prior to application. Hours and CE must be earned post-bachelor's while practicing as an RN.
How to Apply
- 1
Online Application
Apply online via the PSI Test Takers Portal. Review full eligibility details on the WOCNCB eligibility page.
- 2
Application Submission
Submit RN license verification, bachelor's degree documentation, and pathway-specific materials (WOC program completion for Traditional, or CE certificates and employment history for Experiential). Allow up to 10 business days for application processing.
- 3
Scheduling the Exam
After eligibility confirmation, schedule your exam up to 6 months from application submission (or prior to current credentials expiration if recertifying). Testing sessions are first-come, first-served. See the WOCNCB exam page for details.
- 4
Preparation
Our CWON Question Bank is designed to align with the wound and ostomy specialty exam blueprints and help you prepare for both exams that lead to the CWON credential.
CWON Exam Content & Focus Areas
CWON is a dual credential within the WOCNCB WOC certification family. Candidates complete the wound specialty exam and the ostomy specialty exam. Each specialty exam assesses knowledge across five domains:
- Wound Care: Assessment (23.54%); Intervention (16.55%); Treatment (29.49%); Care Planning (11.79%); Education and Referral (18.63%).
- Ostomy Care: Assessment (24%); Intervention (22%); Treatment (21%); Care Planning (13%); Education and Referral (20%).
Each specialty exam comprises 120 multiple-choice questions (110 scored, 10 unscored pretest). Candidates are given 120 minutes (2 hours) to complete each specialty exam.
Wound Care Specialty Content Distribution
- Assessment(23.54%)
- Intervention(16.55%)
- Treatment(29.49%)
- Care Planning(11.79%)
- Education and Referral(18.63%)
Ostomy Care Specialty Content Distribution
- Assessment(24%)
- Intervention(22%)
- Treatment(21%)
- Care Planning(13%)
- Education and Referral(20%)
Wound Care Content Categories & Weight
| Content Category | Percentage |
|---|---|
| Assessment | 23.54% |
| Intervention | 16.55% |
| Treatment | 29.49% |
| Care Planning | 11.79% |
| Education and Referral | 18.63% |
Ostomy Care Content Categories & Weight
| Content Category | Percentage |
|---|---|
| Assessment | 24% |
| Intervention | 22% |
| Treatment | 21% |
| Care Planning | 13% |
| Education and Referral | 20% |
CWON Application Instructions
Online Application: Apply via the PSI Test Takers Portal.
Application Submission: Submit license, degree, and pathway documentation. Testing vendor sends email confirmation of eligibility; allow up to 10 business days for processing.
Scheduling the Exam: Schedule up to 6 months from exam application submission (or prior to current credentials expiration if recertifying). Sessions are first-come, first-served.
Exam Format: Each specialty exam (wound and ostomy) comprises 120 multiple-choice questions (110 scored, 10 unscored). Candidates have 120 minutes (2 hours) per specialty exam.
Preparation: Our CWON Question Bank is designed to align with the wound and ostomy exam blueprints and support preparation for both specialty exams.
Preparation and Resources
At Wound Care Nursing Review, we align practice questions with the wound and ostomy specialty exam blueprints so you cover the content you'll encounter on the path to CWON certification.
- Topics on Exam: Wound and ostomy Assessment, Care Planning, Intervention, Treatment, and Education and Referral.
- Official Handbook: Download the Candidate Examination Handbook from WOCNCB for full policies and content details.
- Question Bank: The CWON Question Bank aligns with the exam blueprints and includes 4 timed simulation exams to help gauge readiness.
Resources for the CWON Exam
CWON Question Bank
Practice questions aligned to the wound and ostomy exam blueprints with detailed rationales and 4 timed simulation exams.
Explore Question Bank →Exam Format
Each specialty exam comprises 120 multiple-choice questions (110 scored, 10 unscored). Apply and schedule through PSI.
120 minutes per specialty exam
WOCNCB Certification
Visit WOCNCB for eligibility, the candidate handbook, fees, and official CWON guidance.
Visit WOCNCB Website →Prices
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CWON Question Bank
What's included
CWON Question Bank
What's included
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CWON Recertification
WOCNCB certification must be re-established every five years. The WOCNCB offers recertification by examination or through the Professional Growth Program (PGP). Review current requirements on the WOCNCB recertification pages before your credential expires.
CWON Related Certifications
Explore other WOCNCB credentials in the wound, ostomy, and continence family.
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