Keep Your Knowledge Current for Lasting Results
Maintain your competitive edge in wound care by taking WCEI's Skin and Wound Management recertification course. Your certification is an investment in your career and the lives of your patients.
If your credential is through the National Alliance of Wound Care and Ostomy (NAWCO) or the American Board of Wound Management (ABWM), you can skip the certification exam if you complete the recertification course on-site or online.
After registering, select a credentialing board, complete their recertification application, and pay their recertification fees. The credentialing board determines your recertification eligibility.
Contact
Contact NAWCO of ABWM for exam-related questions.
- NAWCO: 877-922-6292
- ABWM: 202-457-8408
Credits
| Nurses | 29.25 Contact hours |
| Physical Therapists | 29.25 Contact hours |
| Dietitians | 29.25 CPEUs |
| Physicians / Physician Assistants (PAs) | 29.25 AMA PRA Category 1 credits |
Important accreditations notice for occupational therapists
This course isn't accredited for continuing education (CE) credit for occupational therapists. However, a certificate of completion will be issued upon successful completion of the course. This certificate may be submitted as documentation to fulfill eligibility requirements for the NAWCO examination, in accordance with their current standards.
Alumni Recertification Tuition Rate
$1,297 Onsite
$797 Live Online
$597 Online
The WCEI Difference
- Premium Content: Our course content is updated and reviewed by industry professionals at a minimum of every three years. We pride ourselves on having the most current, up-to-date course content in the industry.
- Learner Supportive Platform: Our wound care courses are hosted on the propriety Relias Live Learning Management System.
- Flexible Payment Options: We offer a variety of flexible payment options including Affirm payment plans.
- Continuous Learning: We provide continuing education throughout your career.
Learn more about how WCEI stands out from our competitors.
Included with tuition
- Live instructor-led education (onsite and live online)
- 90-days access to the online course (students in a live class have access 29 days before the first day of class)
- Contact hours upon completion (visit Certificates tab)
- WCEI Skin and Wound Management course resources (onsite and live online)
- Pre-exam certification review (onsite and live online)
- Exam prep tools, end-of-lesson knowledge quizzes, and optional practice exams
Ongoing education
- Nurses: Free one-year Nurse.com Standard or Premium APRN subscription
- Physical therapists, occupational therapists, or dietitians: Free one-year subscription to Clinician.com
- Physicians: Access to free CMEs on FreeCME.com
Wound Care Recertification Schedule
Onsite
Four-day Course
| Days 1 - 4 | 9:00AM - 4:30PM | Classroom Training |
Online Course
Once the initial online module is started, you have 180 days to complete all 26 modules at your pace.
Curriculum/Online Modules
- Section 1: Skin and Underlying Structures
- Section 2: Principles of Wound Healing
- Section 3: Assessing the Patient
- Section 4: Assessing the Skin
- Section 5: Assessing the Wound
- Section 6: Principles of Wound Management
- Section 7: Preparing the Wound Bed - Tissue Management and Debridement
- Section 8: Preparing the Wound Bed - Infection Prevention and Management
- Section 9: Preparing the Wound Bed - Moisture Balance and Epithelial Edge Advancement
- Section 10: Wound Care - Treatment Basics
- Section 11: Wound Care - Topical Options
- Section 12: Wound Care - Adjunctive Modalities
- Section 13: Assessing the Wound - Pressure Injuries
- Section 14: Wound Care - Pressure Injuries
- Section 15: Assessing the Wound - Lower Extremity Ulcers
- Section 16: Wound Care - Lower Extremity Ulcers
- Section 17: Wound Care - Acute Wounds
- Section 18: Wound Care - Other Wounds
- Section 19: Wound Care - Nutritional Considerations
- Section 20: Wound Care - Pain Management
- Section 21: Wound Care - Palliative Considerations
- Section 22: Wound Care - Pediatric and Neonatal Considerations
- Section 23: Documenting and Monitoring the Wound
- Section 24: Patient, Family, and Team Education
- Section 25: Practice Standards
- Section 26: Assessing the Wound - Time to Practice
Learning Objectives
- Discuss how standards of care, evidence based practice and a multidisciplinary wound care team can affect clinical choices in wound management.
- Discuss the basic anatomy and physiology of the skin.
- Identify at least five parameters required for accurate wound assessment.
- Identify pressure ulcer stages according to NPUAP guidelines.
- Identify five factors which enhance or impede the wound healing process.
- Explain four types of basic principles of wound bed preparation.
- Identify three major components of a nutritional assessment for optimizing wound healing.
- Identify four different categories for topical wound management.
- Select treatment options based upon wound assessment, etiology and goal of wound care.
- Differentiate arterial, neuropathic and venous ulcers in terms of causative factors, pathophysiology, appearance and principles of management.
- Describe three factors involved in development of a pressure ulcer and interventions to prevent their occurrence.
- Describe at least five interventions that optimize acute surgical wound healing.
- Differentiate between wound etiologies and clinical manifestations of acute and traumatic wounds.
- Differentiate types of burns and principles of management.
- Select treatment options and differentiate wound etiologies and clinical manifestations of chronic, malignant and inflammatory wounds.
- Discuss three adjunctive treatment modalities that enhance wound healing.
- Discuss current multidisciplinary care approaches to wound care.
- Discuss components required for accurate wound documentation.
I’m worried about the cost of the course.
Investing in your education is a big decision. That’s why we offer flexible financing options through Affirm and employer reimbursement guidance to help make certification more accessible. Many of our learners have successfully received financial support from their employers — our team can help you build a case for funding. (See this blog)
What impact on my salary would a wound care certification have?
The salary for wound care nurses varies based on factors like geographic location, education, and certification. The average base hourly rate for a wound care nurse is currently $40.61 as of 2023 according to Indeed. This translates to around $95,314 annually based on the same data.
I don’t have time to take the course.
Your schedule can be demanding, which is why we offer multiple learning formats to fit your needs so you can balance your education with work and life responsibilities. Our on-site and live online courses offer deep learning over four days, while our online self-paced course let’s you learn at your own pace over six months.
What does it mean to be wound care certified?
Being wound care certified means more than just having letters after your name. It means you’re committed to continuous learning and providing excellent care. You develop an in-depth clinical knowledge and proficiency in current standards of care versus existing trends. You stay current on the latest wound care trends and products, and you remain dedicated to using evidence-based practices to give patients a better quality of life.
Will certification actually help my career?
Studies show that certified nurses are preferred over non-certified nurses for job opportunities and promotions. Many of our alumni have reported salary increases up to 20%, new leadership roles, and greater professional recognition after certification. Additionally, employers highly value wound care, diabetic wound care, or ostomy credentials, as they demonstrate a commitment to excellence in patient care.
Will I really be prepared for the exam?
Absolutely! Our courses are designed to build confidence in both clinical practice and exam success. In fact, 90% of WCEI alumni reported they felt prepared for their certification exam after taking our course, and 97% have successfully earned their certification. Our alumni consistently praise our comprehensive course materials, expert instructors, and interactive study tools as key factors in their success. Plus, if you don’t pass the exam, we stand by you with our Success Commitment — providing six months of free course access so you can continue preparing for the exam and reach your goal.
Do I meet the eligibility requirements?
Each certification has different eligibility requirements, and we’re happy to walk you through them! The good news is that WCEI offers multiple certification pathways, including courses that don’t require a bachelor’s degree. If you’re unsure about your eligibility, contact us — we’ll help you find the best path to certification based on your credentials and experience.
I’m already trained in wound care. Why does certification matter?
Having wound care training is valuable, but certification takes your expertise to the next level—providing professional credibility, career advancement opportunities, and a clear demonstration of your skills and dedication to excellence in wound care to your employer, colleagues, and patients. WCEI education prepares you for NAWCO and ABWM certification—leaders in wound care credentialing in the U.S. So no matter where your career takes you, your certification will be a valuable credential that is nationally recognized and respected, setting you apart in the field of wound care.
Overview
Keep Your Knowledge Current for Lasting Results
Maintain your competitive edge in wound care by taking WCEI's Skin and Wound Management recertification course. Your certification is an investment in your career and the lives of your patients.
If your credential is through the National Alliance of Wound Care and Ostomy (NAWCO) or the American Board of Wound Management (ABWM), you can skip the certification exam if you complete the recertification course on-site or online.
After registering, select a credentialing board, complete their recertification application, and pay their recertification fees. The credentialing board determines your recertification eligibility.
Contact
Contact NAWCO of ABWM for exam-related questions.
- NAWCO: 877-922-6292
- ABWM: 202-457-8408
Certificates
Credits
| Nurses | 29.25 Contact hours |
| Physical Therapists | 29.25 Contact hours |
| Dietitians | 29.25 CPEUs |
| Physicians / Physician Assistants (PAs) | 29.25 AMA PRA Category 1 credits |
Important accreditations notice for occupational therapists
This course isn't accredited for continuing education (CE) credit for occupational therapists. However, a certificate of completion will be issued upon successful completion of the course. This certificate may be submitted as documentation to fulfill eligibility requirements for the NAWCO examination, in accordance with their current standards.
Tuition Cost
Alumni Recertification Tuition Rate
$1,297 Onsite
$797 Live Online
$597 Online
The WCEI Difference
- Premium Content: Our course content is updated and reviewed by industry professionals at a minimum of every three years. We pride ourselves on having the most current, up-to-date course content in the industry.
- Learner Supportive Platform: Our wound care courses are hosted on the propriety Relias Live Learning Management System.
- Flexible Payment Options: We offer a variety of flexible payment options including Affirm payment plans.
- Continuous Learning: We provide continuing education throughout your career.
Learn more about how WCEI stands out from our competitors.
Included with tuition
- Live instructor-led education (onsite and live online)
- 90-days access to the online course (students in a live class have access 29 days before the first day of class)
- Contact hours upon completion (visit Certificates tab)
- WCEI Skin and Wound Management course resources (onsite and live online)
- Pre-exam certification review (onsite and live online)
- Exam prep tools, end-of-lesson knowledge quizzes, and optional practice exams
Ongoing education
- Nurses: Free one-year Nurse.com Standard or Premium APRN subscription
- Physical therapists, occupational therapists, or dietitians: Free one-year subscription to Clinician.com
- Physicians: Access to free CMEs on FreeCME.com
Schedule & Content
Wound Care Recertification Schedule
Onsite
Four-day Course
| Days 1 - 4 | 9:00AM - 4:30PM | Classroom Training |
Online Course
Once the initial online module is started, you have 180 days to complete all 26 modules at your pace.
Curriculum/Online Modules
- Section 1: Skin and Underlying Structures
- Section 2: Principles of Wound Healing
- Section 3: Assessing the Patient
- Section 4: Assessing the Skin
- Section 5: Assessing the Wound
- Section 6: Principles of Wound Management
- Section 7: Preparing the Wound Bed - Tissue Management and Debridement
- Section 8: Preparing the Wound Bed - Infection Prevention and Management
- Section 9: Preparing the Wound Bed - Moisture Balance and Epithelial Edge Advancement
- Section 10: Wound Care - Treatment Basics
- Section 11: Wound Care - Topical Options
- Section 12: Wound Care - Adjunctive Modalities
- Section 13: Assessing the Wound - Pressure Injuries
- Section 14: Wound Care - Pressure Injuries
- Section 15: Assessing the Wound - Lower Extremity Ulcers
- Section 16: Wound Care - Lower Extremity Ulcers
- Section 17: Wound Care - Acute Wounds
- Section 18: Wound Care - Other Wounds
- Section 19: Wound Care - Nutritional Considerations
- Section 20: Wound Care - Pain Management
- Section 21: Wound Care - Palliative Considerations
- Section 22: Wound Care - Pediatric and Neonatal Considerations
- Section 23: Documenting and Monitoring the Wound
- Section 24: Patient, Family, and Team Education
- Section 25: Practice Standards
- Section 26: Assessing the Wound - Time to Practice
Learning Objectives
- Discuss how standards of care, evidence based practice and a multidisciplinary wound care team can affect clinical choices in wound management.
- Discuss the basic anatomy and physiology of the skin.
- Identify at least five parameters required for accurate wound assessment.
- Identify pressure ulcer stages according to NPUAP guidelines.
- Identify five factors which enhance or impede the wound healing process.
- Explain four types of basic principles of wound bed preparation.
- Identify three major components of a nutritional assessment for optimizing wound healing.
- Identify four different categories for topical wound management.
- Select treatment options based upon wound assessment, etiology and goal of wound care.
- Differentiate arterial, neuropathic and venous ulcers in terms of causative factors, pathophysiology, appearance and principles of management.
- Describe three factors involved in development of a pressure ulcer and interventions to prevent their occurrence.
- Describe at least five interventions that optimize acute surgical wound healing.
- Differentiate between wound etiologies and clinical manifestations of acute and traumatic wounds.
- Differentiate types of burns and principles of management.
- Select treatment options and differentiate wound etiologies and clinical manifestations of chronic, malignant and inflammatory wounds.
- Discuss three adjunctive treatment modalities that enhance wound healing.
- Discuss current multidisciplinary care approaches to wound care.
- Discuss components required for accurate wound documentation.
FAQs
I’m worried about the cost of the course.
Investing in your education is a big decision. That’s why we offer flexible financing options through Affirm and employer reimbursement guidance to help make certification more accessible. Many of our learners have successfully received financial support from their employers — our team can help you build a case for funding. (See this blog)
What impact on my salary would a wound care certification have?
The salary for wound care nurses varies based on factors like geographic location, education, and certification. The average base hourly rate for a wound care nurse is currently $40.61 as of 2023 according to Indeed. This translates to around $95,314 annually based on the same data.
I don’t have time to take the course.
Your schedule can be demanding, which is why we offer multiple learning formats to fit your needs so you can balance your education with work and life responsibilities. Our on-site and live online courses offer deep learning over four days, while our online self-paced course let’s you learn at your own pace over six months.
What does it mean to be wound care certified?
Being wound care certified means more than just having letters after your name. It means you’re committed to continuous learning and providing excellent care. You develop an in-depth clinical knowledge and proficiency in current standards of care versus existing trends. You stay current on the latest wound care trends and products, and you remain dedicated to using evidence-based practices to give patients a better quality of life.
Will certification actually help my career?
Studies show that certified nurses are preferred over non-certified nurses for job opportunities and promotions. Many of our alumni have reported salary increases up to 20%, new leadership roles, and greater professional recognition after certification. Additionally, employers highly value wound care, diabetic wound care, or ostomy credentials, as they demonstrate a commitment to excellence in patient care.
Will I really be prepared for the exam?
Absolutely! Our courses are designed to build confidence in both clinical practice and exam success. In fact, 90% of WCEI alumni reported they felt prepared for their certification exam after taking our course, and 97% have successfully earned their certification. Our alumni consistently praise our comprehensive course materials, expert instructors, and interactive study tools as key factors in their success. Plus, if you don’t pass the exam, we stand by you with our Success Commitment — providing six months of free course access so you can continue preparing for the exam and reach your goal.
Do I meet the eligibility requirements?
Each certification has different eligibility requirements, and we’re happy to walk you through them! The good news is that WCEI offers multiple certification pathways, including courses that don’t require a bachelor’s degree. If you’re unsure about your eligibility, contact us — we’ll help you find the best path to certification based on your credentials and experience.
I’m already trained in wound care. Why does certification matter?
Having wound care training is valuable, but certification takes your expertise to the next level—providing professional credibility, career advancement opportunities, and a clear demonstration of your skills and dedication to excellence in wound care to your employer, colleagues, and patients. WCEI education prepares you for NAWCO and ABWM certification—leaders in wound care credentialing in the U.S. So no matter where your career takes you, your certification will be a valuable credential that is nationally recognized and respected, setting you apart in the field of wound care.
Additional Wound Care Courses
Ostomy Management
A complete focus on the treatment, therapy, and counseling for individuals during every stage of a fecal or urinary diversion.
Certified Wound Care Marketing Specialist
Looking to increase your organization’s revenue potential, enhance your customer base, and become more competitive?
Diabetic Wound Management
An analysis of the disease process, focusing on prevention strategies, limb salvage, and the unique requirements of diabetic patients.
What Others Say Matters
-
I would absolutely recommend taking the wound care certification course. I thought I knew what I was doing before the course, but after, I'm more confident and can just build on those skills. I don’t think anybody should be doing wound care without the certification. It just adds so much to your knowledge and confidence by knowing what you’re doing to treat wounds. And since my colleague and both I got certified, our wound care rates are through the roof — they’re just amazing!
Tara S, FNP, WCC, Carroll County Memorial Hospital -
The credentials are important to me because it means that I've have earned the respect of my peers and the doctors. It has also increased my pay.
Judy G, LPN, WCC, CWCA, OMS