10 Steps Roadmap to Success | Pass the Diabetes Certification Exams
Coach Beverly and Team have custom-designed this detailed roadmap to CDCES and BC-ADM certification exam success!
Take a trip through our 10 Step Roadmap to Success for easy access to the tools and resources you need to succeed at either or both certification exams!
Step 1
Find Out
Not sure where to start? We offer complimentary webinars that help you learn more about both the CDCES and BC-ADM exam pathways.
Join us live or listen to our On-Demand version by registering today! Learn how to focus your time and prepare to take the certification Exam. We provide plenty of sample test questions and test-taking tips!
Not sure which certification is right for you? View our FREE webinar
To apply for the CDCES or BC-ADM Exam, you must meet the eligibility requirements.
Are you eligible for Certification Exam?
Step 2
Download our free CDCES Coach App. Our app provides you with easy access to our Medication PocketCards, Online University login, Free Webinars, Question of the Week, Knowledge Bytes, and much more!
“It’s like having a coach in your pocket!”
Download FREE CDCES Coach App
FREE CDCES Coach App
When you download the CDCES Coach App you have immediate access to the most up-to-date information:
- ADA Standards of Care in an easy-to-read format
- Users enjoy the pinch and zoom functions on all PocketCards
- Updated Diabetes Medication and Insulin PocketCards
- Test your knowledge with our Question of the Week & Rationale
You can download it from the App Store or Google Play!
Step 3
Self-Assess
To determine how to best spend your study time, we encourage you to first assess your Diabetes Knowledge. By using the tools below, you can determine what your best course of action is for certification exam success. We are here to help you create the perfect study plan!
Assess Your Knowledge
We suggest rating your knowledge for the exam outlines below in each of the key areas on a scale of 1-5.
One means you are not very familiar with the content and five means you are a pro. Areas with 1-3 ratings deserve the majority of your study time. Areas rated 4-5 warrant less review and study time.
Next, map out a timeline that includes the best times to study, and topic areas to review, and start gathering your study resources.
CDCES Exam Outline
CDCES Exam Outline
The CDCES Exam includes content on providing education and self-management training to people with diabetes across their lifetime; this includes kids, adults, pregnancy, and older adults. It also includes questions on acute illness, hospitalization, and insulin pump therapy. The largest test section includes intervention questions. This area focuses on medications, insulin and pattern management, nutrition therapy, and exercise.
175 Multiple Choice Questions (150 scored/25 pre-test) broken into the following domains:
- Domain 1: Assessment of the Diabetes Continuum (37)
- Domain 2: Care & Education Interventions (105)
- Domain 3: Standards & Practices (8)
BC-ADM Exam Outline
BC-ADM Exam Outline
These self-assessment pages will help you identify knowledge gaps and reaffirm content you are familiar with.
175 Multiple Choice Questions broken into the following domains:
- Domain 1: Assessment and Diagnosis (45)
- Domain 2: Planning and Intervention (50)
- Domain 3: Evaluation and Follow-Up (34)
- Domain 4: Leadership and Advanced Professional Practice (21)
Practice tests! Practice tests! Practice tests!
To prepare for success, get in your best shape by exercising your test taking muscles. Take as many tests as possible to increase your comfort, confidence and exam readiness.
Online Test-Taking Toolkit
Test Taking Toolkit
Online Courses to test your knowledge!
Whether you are preparing for the CDCES or BC-ADM exam, this test-taking toolkit is designed to prepare you for success.
This course facilitated by Coach Beverly will help you transform your nervousness into focused energy that will help you succeed. She will provide test-taking tips based on her experience taking the certification exam six times. She will explain how to dissect the question, eliminate wrong answers, and avoid getting lured in by juicy answers.
Plus, the Test Taking Toolkit provides you with over 220+ sample online practice questions, simulating the exam experience. A perfect way to assess your knowledge and create a focused study plan, while increasing your test-taking confidence.
This Test-Taking Practice Exam Toolkit is designed to prepare you for exam success. This Webinar includes:
- 90-minute On-Demand course, where Coach Beverly details the content of the exam and test-taking tips. Plus, Coach Beverly reviews a sampling of the questions and explains how to dissect the question, eliminate the wrong answers, and avoid getting lured in by juicy answers.
- Over 200 questions in total divided into Four 50+ computerized quizzes. These quizzes include clinical practice exam questions that provide vignette-style situations and other critical content that will prepare you for the actual exam.
ADCES Certification Review Guide Book
ADCES Certification Review Guide Book
475+ Practice Questions
The review guide provides test-taking strategies and the rationale for the correct answers; 475+ self-assessment questions to gauge areas that may require additional study, and 400 questions (2 practice exams/200 questions each) to simulate exam day.
We highly recommend the purchase of this important study tool that provides abundant test-taking practice which is critical for success.
Step 4
Build Study Plan
Once you have identified areas where you want to focus your study time, it's time to determine how to best fill in the knowledge gaps you identified when you did your self-assessment using the exam outlines. Depending on your learning style there are different options to fill in identified knowledge gaps and increase your depth of diabetes knowledge.
Both certification exams include content on the Standards of Care, pharmacology, behavior change, Medical Nutrition Therapy, psychosocial issues, CVD and CKD risk mitigation, technologies, and diabetes care through the lifespan.
Find the Study Plan For YOU!
Click the buttons below to find the best study program for you.
Bundle Descriptions
CDCES Boot Camp | Deluxe Exam Prep Bundle: If you want a combination of online courses and a book, this is the bundle for you! Our Deluxe Bundles are the most comprehensive choice, offering over 30 courses including our Levels 1, 2, 3 & Toolkits, 40+ CEs/CPEUs, 400+ online practice questions, plus an additional 475+ questions with the ADCES Certification Review Guide Practice Questions book.
CDCES Boot Camp | e-Deluxe Exam Prep Bundle: If you want all of the resources listed above but prefer an electronic version of the book, this is the bundle for you. This bundle has all of the courses and practice questions from the Deluxe Bundle, with the ADCES Certification Review Guide Practice Questions e-book.
CDCES Boot Camp | Basic Exam Prep Bundle: This option is perfect for someone who wants just the Online Courses and materials all in one place, our Online University. This bundle includes Levels 1, 2, and 3 & Toolkits which equates to over 30 courses, 40 CEs/CPEUs, and 400+ online practice questions.
CDCES Mini Boot Camp | Accelerated Exam Prep Bundle: The Mini Bundle is great for healthcare professionals who have a lot of experience working with people living with diabetes. The Mini-Prep Bundle skips past the fundamentals and goes straight into Levels 2 and 3 and includes 20+ online courses, 40+ CEs/CPEUs, and around 325 online practice questions. Click here to register.
Bundle Descriptions
BC-ADM Boot Camp | Deluxe Exam Prep Bundle: If you want a combination of online courses and a book, this is the bundle for you! Our Deluxe Bundles are the most comprehensive choice, offering over 30 courses including our Levels 2, 3, 4 & Toolkits, 50+ CEs/CPEUs, 400+ online practice questions, plus an additional 475+ questions with the ADCES Certification Review Guide Practice Questions book.
BC-ADM Boot Camp | e-Deluxe Exam Prep Bundle: If you want all of the resources listed above but prefer an electronic version of the book, this is the bundle for you. This bundle has all of the courses and practice questions from the Deluxe Bundle, with the ADCES Certification Review Guide Practice Questions e-book.
BC-ADM Boot Camp | Basic Exam Prep Bundle: This option is perfect for someone who wants just the Online Courses and materials all in one place, our Online University. This bundle includes Levels 2, 3, 4 & Toolkits which equates to over 30 courses, 50 CEs/CPEUs, and 400+ online practice questions.
Bundle Descriptions
Dual Cert Boot Camp | CDCES & BC-ADM Exams Complete Prep Bundle: Our most economical package yet! If you are studying for both the BC-ADM & CDCES Exams and want a combination of Online Materials and Books, this is the best option for you! Earn 60+ CEs/CPEUs and receive a comprehensive overview of the science and art of diabetes education with a ton of exam practice questions. The Complete Package equips you with everything you need to achieve exam success. Not only are you purchasing the full spectrum of online courses, but this package also includes the ADCES Art and Science Desk Reference and Review Guide which are instrumental independent study tools.
Dual Cert Boot Camp | CDCES & BC-ADM Exams e-Complete Prep Bundle: If you want all of the resources listed above but prefer an electronic version of the ADCES Book Bundle, this is the bundle for you. This bundle has all of the courses and books from the Complete Bundle, with the ADCES Certification Review e-books.
Dual Cert Boot Camp | CDCES & BC-ADM Exams Basic Prep Bundle: This option is perfect for someone who wants just the Online Courses and materials all in one place, our Online University. This bundle includes Levels 1, 2, 3, and 4 & Toolkits which equates to over 40 courses, 60+ CEs/CPEUs, and 400+ online practice questions.
Step 5
Review
In preparation for exam success, it is important to be familiar with the National Standards of Care and Position Statements published by the American Diabetes Association (ADA), the American Association of Clinical Endocrinology (AACE), and the Association of Diabetes Care & Education Specialists (ADCES).
These Standards and National Guidelines are important not only for the exam but for your own clinical practice. As diabetes specialists, providing evidence-based care that is up-to-date and accurate translates into the best care.
Coach Beverly Study Tip: Know the National Goals for the exam. Keep in mind that your particular clinic goals may not match the national goals. So, leave your clinic goals behind when you are taking the exam.
Top 6 Articles to Review
Based on student feedback and the exam outline, here are the top six articles to start reviewing:
ADA Standards of Care
ADA Standards of Care
This yearly publication by the American Diabetes Association outlines the national goals of care based on the latest research for diabetes management. This is one of the most important guidelines to read as a Certified Diabetes Care and Education Specialist.
Screening and Diagnosis of Diabetes Mellitus
Screening and Diagnosis of Diabetes Mellitus
One-page cheat sheet that summarizes screening, risk status, and diagnostic criteria for diabetes.
Use of Language in Diabetes Care and Education – ADA & ADCES
Use of Language in Diabetes Care and Education – ADA & ADCES
Language is powerful and can have a strong impact on perceptions as well as behavior. This article provides recommendations for language used by healthcare professionals and others when discussing diabetes through spoken or written words whether directed to people with diabetes, colleagues, or the general public, as well as research questions related to language and diabetes.
AACE Comprehensive Type 2 Diabetes Management Algorithm
AACE Comprehensive Type 2 Diabetes Management Algorithm
This link provides the complete executive and slide set summary by an American Association of Clinical Endocrinologists/American College of Endocrinology Consensus Panel on Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus. If you are taking the CDCES or BC-ADM exam, we encourage students to be familiar with the slide content that reviews diabetes management.
2022 National Standards for Diabetes Self-Management Education and Support
2022 National Standards for Diabetes Self-Management Education and Support
A joint position statement of the American Diabetes Association, the American Association of Diabetes Educators, and the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics. An important document to review for those providing Diabetes Self-Management Education or those considering take the certification exam.
ADCES – Continuous Subcutaneous Insulin Infusion (CSII) Without and With Sensor Integration
ADCES – Continuous Subcutaneous Insulin Infusion (CSII) Without and With Sensor Integration
This paper highlights critical content about insulin pump therapy. You will find this useful for teaching patients and families and in preparation for your exam.
Step 6
Learn Meds & Insulin Therapies
An important part of being a successful Diabetes Educator is gaining a thorough understanding of diabetes medications and insulin therapy.
Coach Beverly Study tip: on the exam, they list the generic and trade names for the medications. Make sure you know what class the medication belongs to, precautions, side effects, and important patient teaching points.
A helpful strategy is to be very familiar with the content outlined in our Medication and Insulin PocketCards.
Diabetes Medication and Insulin PocketCards
Diabetes Medication and Insulin PocketCards
You can now purchase all four of our medication PocketCards in a new laminated accordion-style format or download for free now. The perfect study partner!
We also offer many online courses that review the critical content for medications that will help increase your confidence and knowledge for the exam and your clinical setting.
Meds & Clinical References & Exam Study Cheat Sheets
Meds & Clinical References & Exam Study Cheat Sheets
Our diabetes cheat sheet page is brimming full of useful information for your clinical practice and exam success. Updated annually by Coach Beverly to reflect the latest ADA Standards, we invite you to take a look around and enjoy these helpful resources.
The exam also includes questions about common medications to treat hypertension and lipids. Make sure to have a general knowledge of the main classes, side effects precautions, and patient education content. Here are the best resources to build your medication knowledge:
Print these "cheat sheets" as part of your studies, plus they are great resources to have available in your practice setting.
ADCES – Continuous Subcutaneous Insulin Infusion (CSII) Without and With Sensor Integration
ADCES – Continuous Subcutaneous Insulin Infusion (CSII) Without and With Sensor Integration
This paper highlights critical content about insulin pump therapy. You will find this useful for teaching patients and families and in preparation for your exam.
Step 7
Understand Diabetes Care Philosophy
When entering the field of Diabetes Education, it is important to be familiar with the philosophy behind how-to approach diabetes self-management education. Read the following to gain insights into the philosophical underpinnings included in the certification exams.
Empowerment vs. Compliance Model Chart
Empowerment vs. Compliance Model Chart
When entering the field of Diabetes Education, it is important to be familiar with the philosophy behind how-to approach diabetes self-management education. Read the following to gain insights into the philosophical underpinnings included in the certification exams.
The Use of Language in Diabetes Care and Education
The Use of Language in Diabetes Care and Education
As educators, advocates, spouses, friends, and providers, our use of language can deeply affect the self-view of people living with diabetes every day. Watch our free webinar What We Say Matters FREE Webinar to learn more.
ADCES 7™ Self-Care Behaviors
ADCES 7™ Self-Care Behaviors
A must-read for anyone entering the field of Diabetes or as a reference for those already in the field. These 7 Self-Care Behaviors™ provide a framework for patient-centered diabetes self-management education and training (DSME/T) and care.
Step 8
Complete Experience Requirement
After meeting the discipline requirement, applicants must meet the experience requirement for the certification exam.
CDCES Exam Hours Requirements
CDCES Exam Hours Requirements
- 15 CE Hours – For the CDCES exam, a minimum of 15 clock hours of continuing education activities are required. These hours must apply to diabetes and received within two years of applying for certification. Since all of our programs are accredited by the CDR, our online and live courses fulfill the CE requirements. Read more about our Accreditations here.
- 1000 hours of Diabetes Care & Education – Applicants must complete a minimum of 1000 hours of Diabetes Care & Education to sit for the CDCES exam. This practice hour requirement has been adjusted in consideration of the pandemic, to now required within the past 5 years, vs. within the past 4 years pre-pandemic.
- Practice Hours Spreadsheet Tracker. Download this sheet to easily track your practice hours
What counts as “Diabetes Care & Education” hours?
From page 3 of the 2025 Certification Examination for Diabetes Educators Handbook, here is an explanation of what counts towards the 1000 hours requirement:
- Assessment: The participant’s DCE needs are identified. This process is led by the participant with assessment and support of the educator.
- Education and Care Plan: The participant’s individualized education and care plan is developed. The plan reflects the participant’s self-management goals and current evidence and practice guidelines and includes criteria for evaluating outcomes.
- Interventions: The specialist delivers intervention options to assist the participant in meeting self-management goals.
- Ongoing Support: The specialist provides options for ongoing support and resources. The support option(s) is selected by the participant to best meet their self-management goals.
- Participant Progress: The specialist will monitor and communicate whether the participant is achieving their self-management goals and other outcome(s) to evaluate effectiveness of interventions. Additional assessments are based on the participant’s needs across the lifespan.
- Documentation: The specialist documents the assessment, education plan, intervention, and outcomes in the participant’s health record.
- Services Development/Administration: Development and administrative activities performed as part of DSMES services.
BC-ADM Exam Hours Requirements
BC-ADM Exam Hours Requirements
- 500 advanced clinical practice hours – To apply for the BC-ADM exam, you must complete 500 clinical practice hours within 48 months prior to applying for the certification exam. Clinical hours must be earned after relevant licensure and advanced degree was obtained.
- Download the Practice Hours Spreadsheet to easily track your practice hours.
What counts as “Advanced Clinical Practice” hours?
From pages 11 & 12 of the BC-ADM Handbook, here is an explanation of what counts towards the 500 advanced clinical hours requirement:
Managing complex patient needs
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Monitoring, interpreting, and applying results generated from complex patient data sets
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Formulating and prioritizing a problem list
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Educating individuals about medical nutrition therapy
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Incorporating technologies into practice for the maintenance and/or management of diabetes and cardiometabolic conditions
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Managing and adapting interventions for special populations
Assisting patients with therapeutic problem-solving
- Conducting therapeutic interviews using a systematic approach
- Counseling patients on lifestyle modifications
- Incorporating appropriate behavior change models and techniques to improve health
outcomes through problem-solving and teamwork - Collaborating with individuals to individualize and prioritize their care
- Establishing and implementing measurable self-care goals to improve health outcomes
- Utilizing technology-enhanced devices to collect, analyze, and inform judgments for
- individual and/or aggregated health data
Adjusting medications if within their discipline’s scope of practice
- Managing pharmacologic therapy options and interventions for diabetes, cardiometabolic, and related conditions
Treating and monitoring acute and chronic complications and other comorbidities
- Performing comprehensive assessments of diabetes, complications, and related chronic and cardiometabolic conditions across the lifespan (e.g., functional status, sensory/foot, eye exam, medication, and complementary alternative medication review)
- Implementing standards of diabetes care and clinical practice guidelines pertaining to assessment
- Interpreting and applying results generated from assessment and diagnostic tests
- Performing screenings and understanding diagnostic criteria for diabetes, cardiometabolic and related conditions
- Implementing interventions that reflect standards of diabetes care and clinical practice guidelines
- Discussing surgical options for diabetes management including eligibility, risks, benefits, and long-term outcomes
- Collaborating with healthcare providers to coordinate care for individuals and populations
- Managing diabetes in the hospital and during transitions of care
- Engaging in telehealth services for diabetes management
- Performing interventions pertaining to follow-up care, reflecting standards of diabetes care and clinical practice guidelines
Addressing psychosocial issues
- Evaluating self-care behavior and perform behavioral health assessment
- Assessing social determinants of health
- Collaborating with mental health providers to adjust interventions for psychosocial conditions
Participating in research
- Utilizing QI infrastructure to gauge population-level diabetes measures
Mentoring other clinicians in diabetes care
- Reviewing treatments and outcomes, comparing, and explaining results
- Evaluating and adjusting diabetes and cardiometabolic treatment care plans accordingly
Step 9
Prepare
Set yourself up for success. Arrive early and get a good night's sleep. Eat a healthy breakfast. Visualize yourself feeling confident and prepared. Join Coach Beverly's Test-Taking Coach Session for extra tips and recommendations.
Test Taking Day
Test Taking Day
Eliminate false answers and choose the BEST answer. Don’t get lured in by overly complex answers, look at each answer as either true or false.
Focus on NATIONAL standards– leave your clinical goals behind.
Don’t read into the question or answers – sift through vignettes to find relevant information. Choose the best answer based on the information provided in the vignette.
Stay centered– move, stand and breathe during the exam.
Step 10
Celebrate!
Celebrating taking the CDCES or BC-ADM exam is a fantastic way to acknowledge your hard work and dedication to advancing your expertise in diabetes care.
After taking the exam reflect on this milestone and acknowledge all of your effort and commitment that got you there. It’s a moment to be proud of and to share with those who have supported you along the way.
Share your story of success with us so the entire DiabtesEd Community can Celebrate with you! Submit your story below.
The use of DES products does not guarantee the successful passage of the diabetes certification exams. CBDCE & ADCES does not endorse any preparatory or review materials for the certification exams, except for those published by CBDCE & ADCES.
“**To satisfy the requirement for renewal of certification by continuing education for the Certification Board for Diabetes Care & Education (CBDCE), continuing education activities must be applicable to diabetes and approved by a provider on the CBDCE List of Recognized Providers (www.ncbde.org). CBDCE does not approve continuing education. Diabetes Education Services is accredited/approved by the Commission of Dietetic Registration which is on the list of CBDCE Recognized Providers.”
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