Certified Diabetes Care and Education Specialist Certification

CDCES (Certified Diabetes Care and Education Specialist) qualified health professionals work in a range of areas with one common theme: they have specialist knowledge, experience, and qualifications in treating and caring for diabetes patients.

Certified Diabetes Care and Education Specialist Certification
RegisteredNursing.org Staff Writers | Updated/Verified: Mar 16, 2024

Why Do I Need a Certified Diabetes Care and Education Specialist Certification?

Caring for diabetes patients is a special kind of healthcare that requires a range of skills and knowledge over the long term, and one suitable for a range of professionals: nursing care, pharmacists, physicians, personal assistants, and specialists like dieticians. Diabetes can have many causes, and lead to many other health problems. CDCES holders will help patients both understand and manage their or their loved ones' diabetes and improve general health.

Certification is very often a bonus in your healthcare career, and, in some settings, possibly required for entry or progression.

Where Can I Get a CDCES Certification?

There are currently several organizations where you may apply for the CDCES certification. Applications may be subject to availability, and some may offer further specialist certifications too:

Association of Diabetic Care and Education Specialists (ADCES)

Certificate Name: Board Certified-Advanced Diabetes Management, Certified Diabetes Care and Education Specialist (CDCES). For those with less than the required minimum of two years of experience, they also offer their own ADCES certification.

Credential Awarded: BC-ADM, CDCES, ADCES

Cost: Practice exam: $55. Initial certification fee: $350. Renewal costs: $250-$500 (certification typically renewed every five years; cost varies depending on renewal date). More information is available here.

Certification Requirements & Eligibility

Requirements for certification:

  • Work as a healthcare professional in any of these fields: A Registered Nurse with a current, unrestricted RN license or nursing certificate, Registered Dietitian/Dietitian Nutritionist, Pharmacist, PA, MD/DO, or other related healthcare practitioner (not an exhaustive list)
  • A Unique Qualifications Pathway (UQP) option where the applicant has an advanced degree in a health-related area
  • A minimum of two years experience
  • 15 hours of continuing education in diabetes care over no longer than the two years prior to application. UQP requirements may differ depending on your individual circumstances

Certification Board for Diabetes Care and Education (CBDCE)

Certificate Name: Certified Diabetes Care and Education Specialist (CDCES)

Credential Awarded: CDCES

Cost: Practice exam: Initial or renew expired certification fee: $350. Renewal fee: $250. UQP applicants cost $200 for the first exam, then $350 for further applications. More information is available here.

Certification Requirements & Eligibility

Requirements for certification:

  • Licenses to work as any of the following: Clinical Psychologist, Registered Nurse (includes Nurse Practitioners, CNS), Occupational Therapist, Optometrist, Pharmacist, Physical Therapist, Physician, Podiatrist
  • Or Dietitian, Dietitian Nutritionist, PA with NCCPA, Exercise Physiologist, Clinical Exercise Physiologist, Health Educator, or Social Work
  • The Unique Qualifications Pathway (UQP) option is available to those in a health-related qualification
  • A minimum of two years of professional practice experience
  • 15 clock hours of continuing education in diabetes care; must have been taken within the last two years. UQP requirements may differ

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