FACES Frequently Asked Questions

We have patients who are unresponsive, due to their illness, injury, or medications.  Is it possible to use the Wong-Baker FACES™ Pain Rating Scale by comparing the patient’s face to the FACES on the scale?

The Wong-Baker FACES™ Pain Rating Scale is a self-assessment tool.  The patient must be able to understand the tool and be able to indicate which FACE most closely depicts the pain they are experiencing.  This is not the tool to use for unresponsive patients.

We would like to add color to the FACES?  Is that possible?

We do not give permission for colors to be added to the FACES in the Wong-Baker FACES™ Pain Rating Scale.  Although we understand, that may seem more aesthetically pleasing, the focus of the scale is to assess pain. The simplicity of the scale works.  We know that color is very subjective and in the research we did with pediatric patients, we saw no consistent spectrum of colors chosen by children to visually express their pain.

If we are using the Wong-Baker FACES™ Pain Rating Scale in a publication, do we need special permission?

Yes, please contact the Foundation via email, ConnieBaker@wongbakerfaces.org or call us at 405-633-2230.  Depending on your project, we may need to establish a licensing agreement and there may be a small fee for that licensing.  We look forward to working with you to accomplish your goals.

We would like to use the Wong-Baker FACES™ Pain Rating Scale in a commercial product.  What steps do we need to take?

Please contact us at ConnieBaker@wongbakerfaces.org or call us at 405-633-2230.  We will want to hear about your project scope and how you plan to use the scale.  Most likely we will need to establish a licensing agreement and licensing fee.

We would like to use the Wong-Baker FACES™ Pain Rating Scale in a research project/clinical trials.  Do we need permission or a licensing agreement?

We support the use of the scale in research and clinical trials.  Please let us know about your project.  We appreciate being kept up-to-date on your progress.  In most cases, a licensing agreement is not necessary.

Is it possible to modify the scale to assess emotional or mental states? 

The scale should not be modified without permission from the Wong-Baker FACES™ Foundation.  The scale is created for pain assessment and has not been studied as an assessment tool for emotional or mental states.