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Key Facts: CFCN Exam

80.57%

Pass Rate (2025)

WOCNCB

120

Exam Questions

PSI / WOCNCB

2 hrs

Time Limit

PSI / WOCNCB

$395

Exam Fee

WOCNCB

5 yrs

Certification Validity

WOCNCB

60-80 hrs

Study Time

Recommended

The CFCN (Certified Foot Care Nurse) exam is administered by WOCNCB and covers 120 multiple-choice questions (110 scored, 10 pretest) in 2 hours. The pass rate is 80.57% (2025). The exam tests three domains: Assessment and Care Planning (32.5%), Prevention, Intervention, and Treatment (41.7%), and Education and Referral (25.9%). Diabetic foot care, wound management, and vascular assessment are heavily tested topics. The certification is valid for 5 years and requires an active RN license, a Bachelor's degree or higher, 24 foot care CE credits, and 40 clinical foot care hours.

Sample CFCN Practice Questions

Try these sample questions to review concepts for the CFCN exam. Each question includes a detailed explanation. Start the interactive quiz above for the full 130+ question experience with AI tutoring.

1Which artery is the primary blood supply to the dorsum of the foot?
A.Posterior tibial artery
B.Dorsalis pedis artery
C.Peroneal artery
D.Popliteal artery
Explanation: The dorsalis pedis artery is the continuation of the anterior tibial artery and serves as the primary blood supply to the dorsum (top) of the foot. It is palpated between the first and second metatarsal bones. The posterior tibial artery supplies the plantar aspect of the foot, while the peroneal artery supplies the lateral lower leg.
2When performing a monofilament test on a diabetic patient's foot, at how many sites should the 10-gram Semmes-Weinstein monofilament be applied?
A.3 sites
B.5 sites
C.10 sites
D.15 sites
Explanation: The 10-gram Semmes-Weinstein monofilament test should be applied at 10 sites on each foot to assess protective sensation. Sites include the plantar aspects of the first, third, and fifth toes; the first, third, and fifth metatarsal heads; the medial and lateral midfoot; the heel; and the dorsum between the first and second toes. Inability to detect the monofilament at any site indicates loss of protective sensation and increased ulcer risk.
3A patient with diabetes presents with a warm, erythematous, edematous foot without an open wound. The foot has bounding pulses and the patient denies trauma. Which condition should the nurse suspect FIRST?
A.Deep vein thrombosis
B.Cellulitis
C.Acute Charcot neuroarthropathy
D.Gout flare
Explanation: Acute Charcot neuroarthropathy (Charcot foot) should be the primary suspicion in a diabetic patient with a warm, swollen, erythematous foot with intact pulses and no wound or trauma history. This inflammatory condition involves progressive bone and joint destruction in patients with peripheral neuropathy. Early recognition is critical to prevent permanent deformity. A skin temperature difference of >2°C compared to the contralateral foot supports the diagnosis.
4Which classification system is MOST commonly used to grade diabetic foot ulcers based on depth and presence of infection or ischemia?
A.Braden Scale
B.Wagner Classification
C.Norton Scale
D.Bates-Jensen Wound Assessment Tool
Explanation: The Wagner Classification system is one of the most commonly used grading systems for diabetic foot ulcers. It ranges from Grade 0 (pre-ulcerative or healed) to Grade 5 (gangrene of the entire foot). The system considers wound depth, presence of osteomyelitis, and extent of gangrene. The Braden and Norton Scales assess pressure injury risk, and the Bates-Jensen Tool is a wound assessment instrument, not a diabetic foot ulcer classification.
5What is the normal ankle-brachial index (ABI) range?
A.0.50–0.70
B.0.71–0.89
C.0.90–1.30
D.1.40–1.60
Explanation: A normal ankle-brachial index (ABI) is 0.90 to 1.30. An ABI below 0.90 indicates peripheral arterial disease (PAD), with values below 0.50 suggesting severe ischemia. An ABI above 1.30 suggests non-compressible calcified vessels, commonly seen in diabetes and chronic kidney disease, and requires further evaluation with toe pressures. The ABI is a critical screening tool in foot care nursing for identifying vascular compromise.
6Which nail condition is characterized by thickened, discolored, and often crumbling nails caused by a fungal infection?
A.Onychocryptosis
B.Onychomycosis
C.Onychogryphosis
D.Onycholysis
Explanation: Onychomycosis is a fungal infection of the nail (most commonly caused by dermatophytes such as Trichophyton rubrum) that results in thickened, discolored (yellow-brown), brittle, and crumbling nails. It is the most common nail disorder, affecting up to 14% of the general population and higher rates in diabetic and elderly patients. Onychocryptosis is an ingrown nail, onychogryphosis is a ram's horn nail, and onycholysis is nail plate separation from the nail bed.
7When debriding a neuropathic diabetic foot ulcer, which debridement method is considered the gold standard?
A.Autolytic debridement
B.Enzymatic debridement
C.Sharp/surgical debridement
D.Mechanical debridement with wet-to-dry dressings
Explanation: Sharp/surgical debridement is considered the gold standard for neuropathic diabetic foot ulcers because it rapidly removes necrotic tissue, reduces bacterial burden, converts a chronic wound to an acute wound, and stimulates healing. It also allows assessment of wound depth and tissue viability. Autolytic and enzymatic debridement are slower alternatives, while wet-to-dry dressings are no longer recommended as they are non-selective and damage healthy tissue.
8Which foot deformity is MOST commonly associated with peripheral neuropathy and involves dorsal subluxation of the metatarsophalangeal joints?
A.Hallux valgus (bunion)
B.Hammer toes
C.Pes planus (flat foot)
D.Plantar fasciitis
Explanation: Hammer toes are the deformity most commonly associated with peripheral neuropathy. Motor neuropathy causes intrinsic muscle atrophy and imbalance, leading to dorsal subluxation of the metatarsophalangeal joints with flexion of the proximal interphalangeal joints. This creates prominent metatarsal heads and increased plantar pressure, significantly raising ulceration risk. Hallux valgus is related to biomechanics and footwear, not primarily neuropathy.
9A patient with peripheral arterial disease has rest pain in the forefoot that is relieved by dangling the leg over the side of the bed. What Fontaine stage does this represent?
A.Stage I – Asymptomatic
B.Stage II – Intermittent claudication
C.Stage III – Rest pain
D.Stage IV – Tissue loss (ulceration or gangrene)
Explanation: Fontaine Stage III is characterized by ischemic rest pain, typically occurring in the forefoot and toes at night when the leg is elevated. Patients often gain relief by dangling the leg over the bed, which uses gravity to improve perfusion. Stage I is asymptomatic, Stage II presents with intermittent claudication during activity, and Stage IV involves tissue necrosis, ulceration, or gangrene. Rest pain indicates critical limb ischemia requiring urgent vascular evaluation.
10Which type of wound dressing is MOST appropriate for a moderately exudative diabetic foot ulcer with healthy granulation tissue?
A.Dry gauze
B.Foam dressing
C.Transparent film
D.Alginate dressing
Explanation: Foam dressings are ideal for moderately exudative wounds with healthy granulation tissue because they absorb moderate to heavy exudate while maintaining a moist wound environment. They provide cushioning, thermal insulation, and do not adhere to the wound bed, minimizing trauma during dressing changes. Dry gauze desiccates the wound, transparent films lack absorptive capacity, and alginate dressings are better suited for heavily exudative wounds.

About the CFCN Exam

The CFCN certification validates your expertise in foot care nursing, including diabetic foot assessment, wound management, nail care, patient education, and professional practice. With an 80.57% pass rate, thorough preparation using practice questions is key to passing on your first attempt.

Exam sponsor: WOCNCB. The requirements and fees below concern the certification or admission exam, separate from our free practice resources.

Questions

120 questions

Time Limit

2 hours

Passing Score

Scaled pass/fail

Exam / Certification Fees

$395

Exam sponsor website

Reported exam pass rate: 80.57%. This describes exam candidates, not OpenExamPrep users or results from using our resources. 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.

32.5%

Assessment and Care Planning

Health history, comorbidities, pain, vascular, musculoskeletal, and neurological physical assessments, ABI, care planning, and evaluation

41.7%

Prevention, Intervention, and Treatment

Preventative skin care, dermatological conditions, wound staging and bed prep, debridement, dressings, compression, nail care, and offloading

25.9%

Education and Referral

Patient and caregiver foot care guidelines, health literacy, risk factor modification, interdisciplinary collaboration, and specialist referrals

Preparing for the CFCN Exam

What You Need to Know

  • Passing score: Scaled pass/fail
  • Exam length: 120 questions
  • Time limit: 2 hours
  • Exam / certification fees: $395 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

CFCN: Suggested Study Strategy

1Focus heavily on the Prevention, Intervention, and Treatment domain (41.7% of the exam) — master wound management, debridement techniques, nail pathologies, and offloading methods
2Know diabetic foot assessment thoroughly including ABI and TBI measurement, 10g monofilament testing, and risk stratification systems (IWGDF, Wagner)
3Study wound dressing selection based on wound characteristics and exudate level — this is a frequently tested area
4Review patient education content including footwear recommendations, daily foot inspection, and the Medicare Therapeutic Shoe Program
5Use our AI tutor to understand clinical decision-making scenarios you get wrong

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the CFCN exam pass rate?

The CFCN exam pass rate was 80.57% in 2025 according to official WOCNCB statistics (107 passed out of 133 candidates). The exam consists of 120 multiple-choice questions (110 scored, 10 unscored pretest) covering assessment, treatment, and education. With structured preparation using practice questions, you can be well-prepared to pass on your first attempt.

What topics are on the CFCN exam?

The CFCN exam covers three content domains: Assessment and Care Planning (32.5%, 36 scored items), Prevention, Intervention, and Treatment (41.7%, 46 scored items), and Education and Referral (25.9%, 28 scored items). Key areas include vascular and neurological evaluation (ABI, monofilament), wound debridement and dressing selection, nail pathologies, offloading modalities, and interdisciplinary referral.

How do I become eligible for the CFCN exam?

To be eligible for the CFCN exam, you need an active, unrestricted RN license, a Bachelor's degree (or higher) in nursing or related field, 24 CE/CME contact hours specific to foot care (up to 8 may be basic skin/wound care), and 40 clinical hours under direct supervision of a foot care expert (physician, podiatrist, NP, PA, or CFCN) within the past 5 years. The exam fee is $395 and certification is valid for 5 years.

How long should I study for the CFCN exam?

Plan for 60-80 hours of study over 6-10 weeks. Focus on the Prevention, Intervention, and Treatment domain (41.7% of the exam), followed by Assessment and Care Planning (32.5%). Complete practice questions and aim for 80%+ on practice tests before scheduling your exam.

What is the difference between CFCN and CWCN certification?

CFCN (Certified Foot Care Nurse) specializes specifically in foot care nursing including nail debridement, diabetic foot assessment, and lower extremity wound and skin management. CWCN (Certified Wound Care Nurse) is a broader wound care certification covering wounds across all anatomical areas. Both are administered by WOCNCB, and holding CWCN provides fast-track credit toward CFCN eligibility.