Certification Board for Diabetes Care and Education (CBDCE)

CBDCE is a national not-for-profit certifying board that administers the Certified Diabetes Care and Education Specialist^® (CDCES^®) and the Board Certified-Advanced Diabetes Management (BC-ADM^®) credential programs. Approximately 21,000 health professionals are credentialed in the diabetes care and education community. CBDCE’s mission is to promote ongoing quality diabetes care, education, prevention, and support by providing certification & credentialing programs that incorporate and reflect best practices.

Note: DDPG membership does not require the CDCES and/or BC-ADM credentials.

“The CDCES and BC-ADM credential has been one of the best decisions of my career! Since 1982, with my experience in acute, outpatient, and eating disorder treatment clinics, my knowledge of diabetes management has been highly enhanced by maintaining my CDCES and BC-ADM credentials.”

--Janice Baker, MBA, RDN, CDCES, CNSC, BC-ADM

Overview

CDCESs educate and support people affected by diabetes. They help people and their families:

• Understand and manage the condition
• Achieve behavioral and treatment goals
• Optimize health outcomes

Qualifying Disciplines

• Registered & Advanced Practice Registered Nurse 
• Registered Dietitian/Registered Dietitian Nutritionist (RD/RDN)
• Pharmacist
• PA
• Physician (MD/DO)
• And others (see website or handbook)

Education

n/a

Experience

• 2 years of general work experience
• 1000 hours of diabetes care and education in up to 5 years, with 200 hours in last 12 months

Continuing Education

15 hours applicable to diabetes within 2 years before applying

Exam Structure

175 multiple-choice items, includes 25 pre-test, unscored items. Time to test: 4 hours.

Major Exam Content Areas (# of Questions)

• Assessment (37)
• Care and Education Intervention (105)
• Standards and Practices (8)

Testing Modalities

In Person Test Center or Live Remote Proctoring

Initial Certification Fees

$350

Application/Testing Window

Apply and Test Year-Round

Practice Exam

50 multiple-choice items - $55 fee

Renewal Requirements

• Every 5 years
• Renewal fee
• 1,000 renewal practice hours
• Exam or Continuing Education Pathway

Handbook

Overview

BC-ADM holders manage complex patient needs*:

• Assist people at risk for and with diabetes and other cardiometabolic conditions with therapeutic problem-solving 
• Adjust/prescribe medications
• Treat and monitor acute and chronic complications and other comorbidities
• Counsel on lifestyle modifications
• Address psychosocial issues
• Participate in research and mentoring

*Within their discipline's scope of practice and licensure

Qualifying Disciplines

• Registered & Advanced Practice Registered Nurse 
• Registered Dietitian/Registered Dietitian Nutritionist (RD/RDN)
• Pharmacist
• PA
• Physician (MD/DO)

Education

Master’s or higher degree in a clinically relevant area

Experience

500 hours of clinical practice in advanced clinical diabetes management in up to 48 months (clinical hours must be earned after advanced degree obtained)

Continuing Education

n/a

Exam Structure

175 multiple-choice items, includes 25 pre-test, unscored items. Time to test: 3-1/2 hours.

Major Exam Content Areas (# of Questions)

• Assessment and Diagnosis (45)
• Planning and Intervention (50)
• Evaluation and Follow-Up (34)
• Population Health, Advocacy, and Professional Development (21)

Testing Modalities

In Person Test Center or Live Remote Proctoring

Initial Certification Fees

$600

Application/Testing Window

June testing window (application due May 1; final deadline May 15 with additional $50 late fee)

December testing window (application due November 1; final deadline Nov 15 with additional $50 late fee)

Practice Exam

72 multiple-choice items - $60 fee

Renewal Requirements

• Every 5 years
• Renewal fee
• 1,000 practice hours
• Professional Development Pathway only

Handout

For more information:

www.cbdce.org

info@cbdce.org