A person is getting their foot cut off by someone else.

Certification Requirements

Prerequisites:

  1. Continuing Education Requirement: Completion of at least 25 CEs in programs directly related to Foot Care. Completed within the 24-month period prior to application.
  2. Current Healthcare licensure verification:
    (DNP, NP, BSN, RN, LPN/LVN)
  3. Hands-on Foot Care Training: Completion of 30 hours of direct Hands-on patient foot care.
  4. This Hands-on Training requirement can be verified by either one of the three methods below:
    A. Podiatrist preceptor - Any licensed Podiatrist can train and preceptor in these skills.
    B. Certified Foot Care Nurse preceptor - Nurses with CFCN (WOCN) or CFCS (AFCNA).
    C. Portfolio Presentation - If you are already working to provide this type of routine foot care, you may be able to qualify for certification without working with a preceptor/trainer.  You can apply for certification through an alternative method. This method is only available to experienced Foot Care Nurses who are currently in practice. If you are an experienced Foot Care Provider with a qualified health care specialty (DNP, NP, BSN, RN, LPN/LVN), you can prepare and submit a portfolio of 10 client/patient cases studies that you have completed.
          See below for the specifics required for this portfolio presentation.

Important Info

  • You are not limited in the programs that you choose to fulfill the Lecture and Hands-on Foot Care Training requirements. But they must meet the program requirements.
  • There is a partial list of available foot care education programs on the "Forms & Resources" tab.
  • Any Lecture program that awards Continuing Education Credits is acceptable. But the topic of each program must be relevant to foot care. Examples appear in the section below. For example: Wound care, dermatology, vascular or neurological topics, Diabetes topics.  Infectious disease topics, etc.
  • Any qualified Hands-on preceptor is acceptable. Please check the Hands-on requirements section below for the specific qualifications needed for a Preceptor to be able to serve as a trainer.
A person is getting their nails trimmed

Continuing Education (CE) Requirements

Twenty-five (25) hours of CE education. There is a "Continuing Education Verification Form," which must be completed. The CE Certificates from each program must be attached to the Verification Form. Programs must have been completed within 24 months prior to the date of application.

***Program topics must be relevant to the foot and lower extremities.
Examples of acceptable topics:

  • Anatomy & physiology of the foot and lower extremity
  • Physical examination of the foot and lower extremity
  • Lower Extremity Neuro, Vascular, Derm, and Musculoskeletal physical exam findings and treatment options
  • Common foot pathologies: How to diagnose and treat
  • Wound Care
  • Infection control & cross-contamination
  • Patient education regarding diabetic and "high-risk" foot care
  • Other CE programs relevant to the care of the feet and lower extremities

Program formats can include:

  • Live seminars/presentations
  • Video (previously recorded) lectures
  • Online and Distance Learning Programs

All programs must qualify to be awarded Nursing Continuing Education (CE).

You must attach a copy of your CE Certificate of Completion with your Application Package.

As long as the topic is related to foot care. This would include CE topics such as: Diabetes, Infection, Vascular, Wound Care, and similar topics.

Hands-on / Practical Foot Care Training

Thirty (30) hours of preceptor hands-on training is required when applying for the CFCS Certification.

The applicant must complete thirty hours of preceptor, hands-on nail and callus care. The preceptor must be a Podiatrist, a Certified Foot Care Nurse (CFCN), or a Certified Foot Care Specialist (CFCS). This experience is hands-on by the applicant. It should be supervised by the preceptor, but the applicant must personally perform the foot care on the patient/client.

During the COVID-19 Pandemic, if you are already an experienced foot care provider, you can meet this prerequisite by preparing a portfolio of 10 cases that you have recently treated. This Portfolio presentation method is only available to experienced Foot Care Providers.

Your Preceptor, the Podiatrist, CFCN, or CFCS must complete the "Preceptor/Verification Form" and provide the original to the applicant upon completion. The required forms are available for download.

If you are using the Portfolio alternate method of satisfying the Hands-on training requirement, the applicant will be required to submit the "Practice Portfolio Form" with their application. The required forms are available for download.
All of this information can be downloaded:

Click Here

Or cut and paste the following link into your browser:
https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fo/8s9yigmkn4xvxwhpcqfna/h?rlkey=jvtvsz6oopszwjrjhj0ltxb3s&dl=0

APPLY/REGISTER BY CLICKING BELOW

And Then Forward Your Application Package
By Mail, Fax, Or Email
CLICK HERE TO APPLY

***Click any of the links below for more information:
Application Process
Examination Contents
Forms & Resources
CFCN to CFCS!!
ReCertification

Foot Care Exam

ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS for FOOT CARE EXAM
Initial (first-time) candidates must:

  1. Have a current RN License
  2. Hold a Bachelor’s Degree (or higher) - all Baccalaureate degrees applicable
  3. Have 25 CE/CME credits (contact hours) specific to foot care. Note: 8 of 25 CE/CME may be in basic skin and wound care.
  4. Have 40 clinical hours under the direct supervision of an expert in foot care.
  5. To track your CE and clinical hours, click here.

Both the CE/CME credits (contact hours) and clinical hours must be completed within the previous 5 years from the date of the application while functioning as an RN.

A person is cutting another persons foot.

Note: All who currently hold the certification are able to recertify their CFCN® credential as long as there is no lapse in certification. If credentials lapse, a Bachelor's degree will be required for establishing certification.

CFCN FAST TRACK eligibility for current CWCN, CWON or CWOCN

If you hold a CWCN, it will replace the 8CE/CME in basic skin/wound care as well as the 12 clinical hours specific to skin/wound care needed!

Full eligibility information is outlined in the Candidate Examination Handbook