American Board of Wound Medicine & Surgery
Advancing excellence in wound care through rigorous board certification. Join the community of certified wound medicine specialists.
NEXT APPLICATION DEADLINE IS JUNE 7, 2026
No applications will be accepted after 11:59 PM ET on this date.
Quick Answers
Licensed physicians in the US or Canada who are board eligible/certified by ABMS or AOA, with 3+ years of active wound care experience or completion of an approved fellowship program.
A 200-question computer-based exam covering Treatment (30%), Wound Etiology (25%), Clinical Evaluation (20%), Basic Wound Science (10%), Risk Factors (10%), and Practice Management (5%).
Certification is valid for 10 years. Diplomates must complete 10 wound care CME hours per year. Recertification includes a knowledge assessment with rationales provided.
Board Certified
Nationally Recognized
200 Questions
Comprehensive Exam
3.5 Hours
Exam Duration
Twice Yearly
June & December Windows
Our Programs
Certification Programs
Comprehensive pathways to advance your career in wound medicine and surgery.
Board Certification
Earn your ABWMS board certification in wound medicine and surgery through our comprehensive examination process.
Eligibility Review
Review the qualifications and requirements needed to sit for the ABWMS certification examination.
Practice Exams
Prepare for your board exam with timed online practice examinations covering all five content domains.
Recertification
Maintain your board certification through our recertification process and continuing education requirements.
By the Numbers
A Legacy of Excellence in Wound Medicine
Years Established
Since 2011
Certified Physicians
Nationwide
Exam Questions
Comprehensive
Pass Rate
First Attempt
Exam Pricing
Transparent pricing for certification and practice examinations.
Frequently Asked Questions
The American Board of Wound Medicine and Surgery (ABWMS) is an independent, nonprofit organization that provides board certification for physicians who demonstrate expertise in wound care. ABWMS certification is recognized nationally and validates advanced knowledge in wound medicine and surgery. Certified physicians are listed in the publicly searchable ABWMS directory of diplomates.
Eligible candidates must be licensed physicians in the United States or Canada who are board eligible or certified by ABMS or AOA. Applicants must have either three or more years of active wound care experience documented by institutional leadership (Medical Director, Chief of Staff, or Chief Clinical Officer), or completion of an approved wound medicine and surgery fellowship program. The non-refundable exam fee is $850.
The ABWMS certification exam is a computer-based test consisting of 200 multiple-choice questions completed in 3.5 hours with no breaks. Content areas are weighted as follows: Treatment (30%), Wound Etiology (25%), Clinical and Diagnostic Evaluation (20%), Basic Wound Science (10%), Risk Factors (10%), and Practice Management (5%). The exam is administered through Certification Management Systems (CMS) at approved testing centers.
The ABWMS certification exam is offered twice per year with testing windows in June and December. Application deadlines are typically several weeks before each testing window. Specific dates and registration deadlines are announced annually on the ABWMS website. Practice exams are available year-round through our online portal for $150 per attempt.
ABWMS board certification is valid for 10 years. Diplomates must complete 10 CME hours per year focused on wound care throughout the certification period. Recertification includes a knowledge assessment designed as a learning tool — applicants do not pass or fail but rather assess their knowledge, with rationales provided for incorrect answers. The recertification fee is $450, with applications due by April 30 for June dates or September 30 for December dates.