FREE Webinar – Preparing for the CDCES Exam

Are you wondering where to start? Join our FREE live “Preparing for CDCES Exam” webinar or view it On Demand now. 

What is included?

• 70-minute video presentation to help you learn how to focus your time and prepare to take the CDCES Exam
• Test taking tips and strategies to achieve your CDCES goal
• Plenty of sample test questions and test taking tips from Coach Beverly

For complete eligibility requirements, please refer to the:

National Certification Board for Diabetes Education (CBDCE) Certification Examination Handbook

The NCBDE handbook provides a complete review of exam qualifications and details.

• 2021 Certification Examination for Diabetes Educators Handbook
• To track your 1000 hours of DM requirement, click here to download our spreadsheet hours tracker.
• CDCES Exam Content Outline CBDCE – A two page tool to assess your pre-test knowledge. 2021 CDCES Exam Content Outline

National Certification Board for Diabetes Education (CBDCE) Certification Examination Handbook

The CBDCE handbook provides a complete review of exam qualifications and details.

• 2021 Certification Examination for Diabetes Educators Handbook
• 2021 CDCES Exam Content Outline – We suggest rating your knowledge 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 rating deserve the majority to your study time. Areas rated 4-5 warrant less review and study time.

Next, map out a timeline that includes best times to study, topic areas to review and start gathering your study resources.

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.

AADE Diabetes Education Review Guide – 5th Edition

The review guide provides test-taking strategies and the rationale for the correct answers; 450+ 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.

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 toolkit includes two courses with over 200 practice questions to help you prepare and simulate the exam. 

Diabetes Education Services Online University Courses are an excellent way to study for your exam anytime and anywhere that is convenient for you. You will have immediate access to your courses for 1 year after your purchase date.

Each of the test taking courses includes a: 60 minute video presentation, podcast, practice test and additional resources.

This Test Taking Toolkit is designed to prepare you for exam success. This Toolkit includes:

• Preparing for Certification Practice Exam 2021 online course includes:

• 2 Quizzes and 2 – 60 minute Courses, 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.
• 100 question computerized general practice exam that provides vignette-based questions and other critical content that will prepare you for the actual exam.  
• ADA Standards Test Taking Tips Course + 108 Question Practice Test

Art & Science Desk Reference, 5th Ed.

Coach Beverly Study Tip: A student said that one of the things that helped her most with the exam, was reading through the Case Studies in the Art and Science Book. These case studies are easily identifiable in colored boxes in each of the chapters.

Published by AADE, the Art & Science Desk Reference 5th Edition is the must-have resource for all diabetes educators.

This Desk Reference (2020) is written by practicing Diabetes Educators for Diabetes Educators and provides the core knowledge and essential strategies and skills all educators need to facilitate behavior change in persons with diabetes. Boost your knowledge and keep current with all of the critical changes in the healthcare landscape.

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 7 Articles to Review

Based on student feedback and the exam outline, here are the top seven articles to start reviewing:

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 2020– One page cheat sheet that summarizes screening, risk status and diagnostic criteria for diabetes.

Use of Language in Diabetes Care and Education – ADA & AADE 
Language is powerful and can have a strong impact on perceptions as well as behavior. This article provides recommendations for language used by health care 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 2020.  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.

2017 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.

AADE – White Paper on Continuous Subcutaneous Insulin Therapy 2018 » – This paper outlines the topics that should be covered by diabetes educators when teaching patients and families or significant others about insulin pump therapy.

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.

Anti-hypertensive, Cholesterol and Neuropathy Medications 

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 practices setting.

AADE Continuous Subcutaneous Insulin Infusion

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.

FREE CDCES Coach App

Our free CDCES Coach App App provides you with easy access to our Medication PocketCards, Online University login, Free Webinars, Question of the Week, Knowledge Bytes and much more! 

When you download the CDCES Coach App you have immediate access to the most up-to-date information:

• 2021 ADA Standards of Care in easy to read format
• Users enjoy the pinch and zoom function on all PocketCards
• Listen to Online University podcasts on-the-go!
• Updated Diabetes Medication and Insulin PocketCards
• Test your knowledge with our Question of the Week & Rationale

You can download from the App Store or Google Play! 

The use of DES products do not guarantee successful passage of the CDCES exam. CBDCE does not endorse any preparatory or review materials for the CDCES exam, except for those published by CBDCE.”**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.”

Empowerment vs. Compliance Model Chart

This chart provides a quick and direct summary and contrast of these competing philosophies. The exam philosophy is patient-centered with a focus on empowerment. Review this chart to become familiar with the empowerment approach.

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 Lifting People Up With Our Words | FREE Webinar to learn more.

AADE 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.

Please share your success stories with us! You can email info@diabetesed.net to share your story today!