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Key Facts: CWSP Exam
180
Total Questions
3.5-hour exam
$995
Exam Fee
ABWM 2026
10 years
Certification Valid
ABWM recertification cycle
26.7%
Assessment Domain
Largest content area
3 years
Experience Required
MD/DO/DPM wound care
Pearson VUE
Exam Provider
90-day scheduling window
The CWSP exam contains 180 questions over 3.5 hours across five domains. The largest domain is Assessment and Diagnosis (26.7%), followed by Patient Management (24.7%). Eligibility requires an MD/DO/DPM license plus 3 years of wound care experience or a 1-year credentialed wound care fellowship. The exam fee is $995 through Pearson VUE. CWSP certification is recertified by exam every 10 years, with a $175 annual renewal fee and at least 6 CE hours per calendar year.
Sample CWSP Practice Questions
Try these sample questions to review concepts for the CWSP exam. Each question includes a detailed explanation. Start the interactive quiz above for the full 130+ question experience with AI tutoring.
1Which phase of wound healing is characterized by neutrophil and macrophage infiltration to clear debris and bacteria?
2A physician is managing a wound in a patient with poorly controlled diabetes (HbA1c 10.8%). Which mechanism most directly impairs wound healing in this patient?
3Which growth factor is primarily responsible for stimulating fibroblast proliferation and collagen synthesis during wound healing?
4A 62-year-old male on 20 mg prednisone daily presents with a 6-week non-healing surgical wound. Which cellular mechanism most explains his impaired healing?
5Moist wound healing is preferred over dry wound healing primarily because it:
6An ABI of 0.55 in a patient with a lower-extremity wound indicates:
7In a diabetic patient with calcified tibial vessels (ABI 1.4), which test best quantifies tissue perfusion for wound healing prognosis?
8A transcutaneous oxygen pressure (TcPO2) of 22 mmHg at the dorsum of the foot indicates:
9A diabetic patient has a 3 cm plantar wound that probes to bone. The NEXT most appropriate diagnostic step is:
10Bone biopsy culture from a diabetic foot osteomyelitis grows MRSA. Which antibiotic regimen aligns with IDSA DFI guidelines?
About the CWSP Exam
The CWSP certification is the physician-level wound management credential offered by the American Board of Wound Management. The 180-question, 3.5-hour computer-based exam (150 scored and 30 unscored pretest items) covers five domains: Wound Healing Environment (21.3%), Assessment and Diagnosis (26.7%), Patient Management (24.7%), Etiological Considerations (18.0%), and Professional Issues (9.3%). Eligibility requires an MD, DO, or DPM with a full, unrestricted license and 3+ years of clinical wound care experience or a credentialed 1-year wound care fellowship. Certification is renewed annually with continuing education and recertified by exam every 10 years.
Exam sponsor: American Board of Wound Management (ABWM) / Pearson VUE. The requirements and fees below concern the certification or admission exam, separate from our free practice resources.
Questions
180 questions
Time Limit
3.5 hours
Passing Score
Criterion-referenced passing point (not a fixed published percentage)
Reported exam pass rate: Not publicly disclosed. ABWM does not publish aggregate pass rates Exam sponsor website
Fees, eligibility, and exam policies can change. Confirm them with the exam sponsor before applying or paying.
Our practice resources: topics covered
We aim to reflect publicly available exam outlines and topic information in our study resources. Coverage, format, and difficulty may differ from the actual exam, and we cannot guarantee that every detail is accurate or current. Confirm exam requirements, fees, and policies with the official exam sponsor.
Wound Healing Environment
Anatomy and physiology of the integumentary, musculoskeletal, vascular, neurological, lymphatic, and other body systems (endocrine, renal, respiratory, immunologic); wound healing phases, cell function including signaling proteins and cellular mediators, and acute versus chronic wounds
Assessment and Diagnosis
History, physical examination, wound and skin assessment, pain assessment, risk assessment, functional assessment, laboratory tests, imaging, and biopsy, and nutrition assessment, including grading with the Wagner, University of Texas, NPIAP, Rule of Nines, and CEAP systems
Patient Management
Wound bed preparation and debridement, dressings, cellular and/or tissue-based products, topical agents, complications in healing (biofilm, infection, systemic factors), nutrition, electrical stimulation, ultrasound, compression therapy, NPWT, hyperbaric oxygen therapy, pressure redistribution and offloading, surgical closure or tissue transfer, and case review
Etiological Considerations
Neuropathy, diabetes, venous insufficiency, ischemia, pressure-related wounds, lymphedema, trauma, surgical wounds, atypical wounds (malignancy, medication-induced), dermatological and infectious wounds, burns, edema (systemic vs. local), pediatric issues, and inflammatory conditions
Professional Issues
Documentation and legal concepts, patient adherence (socioeconomic factors, ability to comply), reimbursement and medical economics, medical ethics (palliative care, reasonable expectation of outcomes), multidisciplinary teams, epidemiology, and evidence-based practice and research
Preparing for the CWSP Exam
What You Need to Know
- Passing score: Criterion-referenced passing point (not a fixed published percentage)
- Exam length: 180 questions
- Time limit: 3.5 hours
- Exam / certification fees: $995 Official sources
Using Our Practice Resources
- Work through all 130 available questions
- Review every answer and explanation
- Track weak areas and revisit them
- Use our AI tutor for tough concepts
CWSP: Suggested Study Strategy
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the CWSP exam?
The CWSP (Certified Wound Specialist Physician) is the physician-level board certification offered by the American Board of Wound Management (ABWM). It validates advanced wound management knowledge for MDs, DOs, and DPMs, covering wound assessment, surgical debridement, HBOT, advanced biologics, revascularization workup, and professional practice.
What are the CWSP eligibility requirements?
To sit for the CWSP exam, you must: (1) be an MD, DO, or DPM, (2) hold a full and unrestricted professional license in at least one state and in all states where you currently practice, and (3) have three or more years of clinical wound care experience or have completed a credentialed wound care fellowship of at least one year with supporting letters.
How many questions are on the CWSP exam?
The CWSP exam contains 180 multiple-choice questions (150 scored and 30 unscored pretest items) administered over 3.5 hours via computer-based testing at a Pearson VUE test center. You have a 90-day window to test after application approval.
What is the CWSP exam fee?
The CWSP first-time application and exam fee is $995, and the re-test fee is also $995. After earning certification, diplomates pay an annual renewal fee of $175 and must complete at least 6 CE hours per calendar year to maintain active status.
What content areas are covered on the CWSP exam?
The CWSP exam covers five domains: Assessment and Diagnosis (26.7%), Patient Management (24.7%), Wound Healing Environment (21.3%), Etiological Considerations (18.0%), and Professional Issues (9.3%). Assessment and Diagnosis is the largest domain.
How long is CWSP certification valid?
CWSP certification is valid for 10 years. Recertification requires retaking the exam. During the 10-year cycle, diplomates must pay an annual $175 renewal fee and complete at least 6 CE hours per calendar year.
How should I prepare for the CWSP exam?
Study systematically across all five domains, weighting Assessment and Diagnosis and Patient Management most heavily. Focus on vascular assessment (ABI/TBI/TcPO2), debridement and CPT coding, HBOT coverage criteria, cellular and tissue-based products, IWGDF/IDSA diabetic foot infection guidance, NPIAP pressure injury staging, and wound bed preparation. Most candidates plan 12–20 weeks of dedicated study.