Wound, Ostomy and Continence Nursing Certification Board

What Wound, Ostomy and Continence Nursing Certification Board does

The Wound, Ostomy and Continence Nursing Certification Board (WOCNCB) is a not-for-profit professional nursing certification organization founded in 1978 and headquartered in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. It administers specialty board certifications for registered nurses in wound care (CWCN), ostomy care (COCN), continence care (CCCN), combined wound-ostomy (CWON), foot care (CFCN), and advanced practice variants (CWOCN-AP, CWCN-AP, COCN-AP, CCCN-AP), as well as the Wound Treatment Associate-Certified (WTA-C) credential for non-Baccalaureate nurses. WOCNCB credentials are dually accredited by the Accreditation Board for Specialty Nursing Certification (ABSNC) and the National Commission for Certifying Agencies (NCCA), and the organization has certified over 10,000 nurses across 8 countries.

Core products comprise entry-level and advanced-practice certification exams delivered at PSI testing centers or via Live Remote Proctoring (since May 2025, replacing prior vendor Meazure Learning), the Professional Growth Program (PGP) portfolio-based recertification pathway, and exam preparation products including official flash card mobile apps ($19.95-$39.95), physical flash card sets ($44.95), practice exams ($45), and review courses. Supporting offerings include a Benevolence Fund, public certification verification tool, an Employer Discount Voucher Program offering up to 55% bulk savings, and award programs (Employer Recognition Award, Certified Nurse of the Year). All exam content is developed and maintained by volunteer certified-nurse committees, and recertification operates on a 5-year cycle.

Revenue is generated primarily through initial and recertification exam application fees ($375-$650 per specialty), PGP portfolio review fees ($395-$670), WTA-C exam fees ($250), employer voucher redemptions ($225-$300 per voucher), and ancillary sales of study materials and branded merchandise. Distribution is direct-to-consumer via the WOCNCB website and mobile app stores, supplemented by enterprise voucher sales, conference exhibitions (WOCNext, WOCN Society Annual Conference), email/newsletter outreach, organic social media, and a podcast. The organization operates with 1-10 employees and is governed by a 12+ member Board of Directors.

Name

Wound, Ostomy and Continence Nursing Certification Board

Legal name

Wound, Ostomy and Continence Nursing Certification Board

Website

https://wocncb.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1978

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

WOCNCB is a not-for-profit nursing certification board founded in 1978 that credentials registered nurses in wound, ostomy, continence, and foot care specialties, serving 10,000+ certificants across 8 countries under dual ABSNC and NCCA accreditation.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Nursing Certification Services

NAICS

Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services (54)

SIC

Services-Misc Health & Allied Services, Nec (8090)

akta.pro primary industry

Healthcare & Medical Licensure Exam Prep (USMLE/COMLEX, NCLEX, Dentistry, Pharmacy, PA) (EDANAIAA)

akta.pro secondary industry

Healthcare Clinical Professions (CME/CE for Nurses, Allied Health, Pharmacy) (EDAAALAC)

Keywords

• Nursing certification services
• Wound care certification
• Ostomy care certification
• Continence care certification
• Foot care certification

Headquarters

HQ city

Milwaukee

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Certification Exam Fees: Primary revenue stream from initial and recertification exam fees. Nurses pay application fees ranging from $375-$650 depending on number of specialties, plus additional fees for exam administration through PSI testing centers.
2. PGP Portfolio Recertification: Alternative recertification method where nurses submit portfolios demonstrating professional growth activities. Fees range from $395-$670 for portfolio review.
3. Exam Preparation Materials: Sale of flash card sets ($44.95 each), mobile apps ($19.95 for 6 months or $39.95 for 12 months), and practice exams ($45) for exam preparation.
4. Employer Voucher Program: Employers purchase bulk exam vouchers at discounted rates ($225-$300 per voucher depending on volume) to offer certification benefits to nursing staff.
5. Merchandise: Sale of branded merchandise including credential pins, enamel badges, and logo items for certified nurses to display their credentials.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels7 records

Marketing channels11 records

Core offering

WOCNCB develops, administers, and maintains accredited specialty nursing certification exams across wound care (CWCN), ostomy care (COCN), continence care (CCCN), wound-ostomy (CWON), and foot care (CFCN) specialties, plus the Wound Treatment Associate (WTA-C) and Advanced Practice certifications (CWOCN-AP, CWCN-AP, COCN-AP, CCCN-AP). It also operates the Professional Growth Program (PGP) portfolio-based recertification pathway and sells companion exam preparation materials including mobile flash card apps, physical flash card sets, web-based practice exams, and independent review courses.

Product overview

WOCNCB offers nursing certification and certification preparation products. Core offerings include entry-level certifications (CWCN, COCN, CCCN, CWON, CFCN, WTA-C) and Advanced Practice certifications (CWOCN-AP, CWCN-AP, COCN-AP, CCCN-AP). Supporting products include flash card mobile apps, practice exams (SAE), review courses, and the Professional Growth Program (PGP) for portfolio-based recertification. Additional services include the Employer Discount Voucher Program, Benevolence Fund, certification verification tool, and recognition awards. The organization is accredited by ABSNC and NCCA.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Wound, Ostomy, and Continence Certification Exams (CWCN, COCN, CCCN, CWON, CFCN) Entry-level nursing certification exams covering wound care (CWCN), ostomy care (COCN), continence care (CCCN), wound-ostomy (CWON), and foot care (CFCN) specialties. Each exam consists of 120 questions with 120 minutes allowed. Administered at PSI test centers and via Live Remote Proctoring. Certification is valid for five years.
• Wound Treatment Associate-Certified (WTA-C) Certification for non-Baccalaureate prepared nurses trained by CWOCN-certified nurses to provide daily patient monitoring, pressure ulcer prevention, and basic wound management under supervision. Exam fee $250 for a five-year certification period.
• Advanced Practice Certification (CWOCN-AP, CWCN-AP, COCN-AP, CCCN-AP)

Quantifiable outcome

• Hospitals employing WOCNCB certified nurses had lower HAPI rates and better pressure injury risk assessment practices
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers9 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature4 records

Partnerships

Four partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• PSI (Psychological Services, Inc.)coreTechnology or Integration · 20 May 2025PSI is the new testing vendor for WOCNCB certification exams effective May 20, 2025. PSI offers exams at test centers in all major cities and via Live Remote Proctoring (LRP). All exam eligibility was transferred from Meazure Learning to PSI.
• WOCN SocietycoreOthersWOCNCB and WOCN Society are separate and autonomous organizations. WOCNCB certifies many of the members of the WOCN Society; the Society provides resources to support the nursing specialties of wound, ostomy and continence care such as developing continuing education for its members. Accreditation standards require that certification and membership functions be autonomous.
• The Journal of Wound, Ostomy and Continence Nursing (JWOCN)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerJWOCN publishes studies highlighting the value of WOCNCB certification. Published study showing hospitals with WOCNCB-certified nurses had lower HAPI rates. Also offers free 'Getting Ready for Certification' articles for wound, ostomy, continence, and foot care.
• American Board of Nursing Specialties (ABNS)minorOthersWOCNCB has demonstrated commitment to development and administration of legally defensible, psychometrically sound certification exams through ABNS accreditation.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves5 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC): ANCC is the largest nursing certification body in the US, offering specialty certifications across dozens of nursing practice areas. It is comparable to WOCNCB as a competing nursing credentialing organization, though it operates at much broader scale and does not specialize in WOC nursing.

Others

• PSI (Psychological Services, Inc.): PSI is the testing vendor that administers WOCNCB certification exams as of May 2025. It is comparable as a critical infrastructure partner providing the test delivery platform that underpins WOCNCB's certification product.
• WOCN Society: WOCN Society is the sister professional membership association for WOC nurses, providing education, conferences, and the JWOCN journal. It is structurally separated from WOCNCB by accreditation requirements but overlaps heavily in certificant base and content; comparable as an ecosystem partner.
• Accreditation Board for Specialty Nursing Certification (ABSNC): ABSNC is the accrediting body that credentials WOCNCB. It is comparable as an industry ecosystem participant that validates the quality of WOCNCB's accreditation processes and provides the regulatory moat underlying its certification value.

Direct peers

• American Board of Wound Management (ABWM): ABWM offers the Certified Wound Specialist (CWS) credential and skin and wound care certifications. It is a competing wound care certification body comparable to WOCNCB, though it serves a broader multidisciplinary audience including physicians and therapists.
• Oncology Nursing Certification Corporation (ONCC): ONCC is a non-profit certification body for oncology nurses offering OCN, CBCN, and AOCNP credentials. It is a close peer to WOCNCB as a specialty nursing certification organization with similar governance, accreditation, and recertification structures.
• National Certification Corporation (NCC): NCC certifies nurses in obstetric, gynecologic, and neonatal specialties. Comparable to WOCNCB as a non-profit nursing certification board with similar exam-based and portfolio-based recertification pathways and dual accreditation.
• Medical-Surgical Nursing Certification Board (MSNCB): MSNCB is a non-profit nursing certification board offering CMSRN and CAVRN credentials. It is a direct peer to WOCNCB as a similarly structured specialty nursing certification body, also currently in partnership with PSI for testing.
• Pediatric Nursing Certification Board (PNCB): PNCB is a non-profit certification body for pediatric nurses (CPN, CPNP). It is a direct peer to WOCNCB in terms of organizational structure, governance by nurses, and specialty certification delivery.
• National Alliance of Wound Care and Ostomy (NAWCO): NAWCO offers the WCC (Wound Care Certified) credential, the most direct alternative to WOCNCB's wound care certification. Comparable as a competing certification body in the wound care specialty, though not accredited by ABSNC/NCCA.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/wocncb
• YouTubeyoutube.com/user/thewocncb?feature=results_main
• Facebookfacebook.com/profile.php
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/woc-nursing-certification-board
• Instagraminstagram.com/wocncb

Compliance3 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles3 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about Wound, Ostomy and Continence Nursing Certification Board