10 STEPS TO SUCCEED | PASS THE CDCES - Diabetes Education Services

10 STEPS TO SUCCEED | PASS THE CDCES

Coach Beverly has custom-designed your road map to CDCES success! (formerly known as CDE) By creating the 10 Steps to Succeed, we present you with the tools and confidence you need to pass the CDCES Exam!

STEP ONE

Not sure where to start? We offer a complimentary FREE Webinar – Preparing for the CDCES Exam. Join us live or listen to our On Demand version by registering today! Learn how to focus your time and prepare to take the CDCES Exam. We provide plenty of sample test questions and test taking tips!

To apply for the CDCES Exam, you must meet requirements set by the CBDCE or National Certification Board for Diabetes Education. You need to have your professional license for at least 2 years as an RN, RD, PT, PharmD, PA, MD (and others) plus accumulate 1000 hours of diabetes self-management teaching experience. There is also a unique qualifications pathway for other professions. See the 2023 Certification Examination for Diabetes Educators Handbook for more info.

Practice Hours Requirement Adjusted for Pandemic: The CBDCE has extended the adjusted hours required to “address the continuing impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the ability of health professionals pursuing the CDCES credential:

For applications submitted through 2024*, minimum DCE experience needed in prior 12 months reduced from 400 hours to 200 hours; and 2.
For applications submitted through 2026**, minimum 1000 hours (or 2000 hours for unique qualifications pathway) of DCE experience needed can be accrued over a longer period of time. The time frame is increased from 4 years from application date to 5 years from application date.”

Are you eligible?

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.

2023 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. 2023 CDCES Exam Content Outline

STEP TWO

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 CDCES success. We are here to help you create the perfect study plan!

Assess your Knowledge

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

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

2023 Certification Examination for Diabetes Educators Handbook
2023 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.

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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.

ADCES Diabetes Education Review Guide – 5th Edition – Revised

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.

Purchase Now

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 2023 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.

Purchase now

STEP THREE

Diabetes Educators need to be familiar with the National Standards of Care and Position Statements as published by the American Diabetes Association (ADA), the American Association of Clinical Endocrinology (AACE) and the American Association of Diabetes Educators (AADE).

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 best care.

Review Guidelines

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.

STEP FOUR

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 CDCES Exam Content Outline. Depending on your learning style there are three different options to fill in identified knowledge gaps and increase your depth of diabetes knowledge.

The CDCES Exam includes content on providing education and self-management training to people with diabetes across their lifetime; this includes kids, women, 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.

Build Your Study Plan

Join a Live Seminar

Want a live summary of the key content in a beautiful setting? Attend our three day course in Sacramento or San Diego, California to earn over 35 CEs and prepare for the CDCES or BC-ADM. Beverly and her teaching team translate the complex science of diabetes into understandable terms, while keeping it real, practical and fun.

Diabetes Education Services Online University Courses

With a total of over 50+ CEs offered, our online university presents a multitude of relevant courses and test taking tools for your Diabetes Education. Most courses include an On Demand webinar led by Coach Beverly, a podcast, additional resources and a post presentation test.

Our most popular online course bundle is currently the CDCES Prep Bundle – Level 1, 2, and 3. However the 1-Year Subscription to the entire Online University catalog includes Level 1, 2, 3 and 4 plus our Technology and Test Taking Toolkits.

We recommend starting with our Level 1 Diabetes Fundamentals, then progressing to Level 2, which focuses on special populations, further review of insulin and medications, hospitalization and more. When you are ready to take the exam, join our Level 3 CDCES Boot Camp to receive the full spectrum of CDCES preparation.

More Info

Hit the books

Our most popular book bundle is the ADCES (formerly AADE) Art & Science Desk Reference and Review Guide. Many students find success pairing their online courses with an additional text reference.

For independent study time, these books provide the tools and comprehensive resources that help you focus your study time efficiently and effectively. Purchase the 800+ page Art and Science Reference Book and Review Guide for an additional boost in knowledge! Focus on those areas you have identified during your self assessment.

Purchase Now

NEW AADE Diabetes Education Review Guide – 5th Edition- Revised

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.

Purchase Now

Art & Science Desk Reference, 5th Ed.

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

This Desk Reference 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.

Purchase Now

STEP FIVE

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 Knowledge

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.

Purchase Now

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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.

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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.

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STEP SIX

“It’s like having a coach in your pocket!”

Download the FREE CDCES Coach App

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:

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!

More Info

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.”

STEP SEVEN

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 two articles to gain insights into the philosophical underpinnings included in the CDCES Exam.

Understand the Philosophy

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.

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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.

Watch Webinar

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.

View Now

STEP EIGHT

After meeting the discipline requirement, applicants must complete a minimum of 15 clock hours of continuing education activities applicable to diabetes within the 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.

Complete the CE Requirement

Join a Live Seminar

Want a live summary of the key content in a beautiful setting? Attend our three day course in Sacramento or San Diego, California. Beverly and her teaching team translate the complex science of diabetes into understandable terms, while keeping it real, practical and fun. You can earn a total of 35+ CEs while preparing for the CDCES or BC-ADM.

Diabetes Education Services Online University Courses

See Details

STEP NINE

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!

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 TEN

Celebrate

Celebrate!

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

Upcoming Courses & Events

Diabetes Education Services offers education and training to diabetes educators in the areas of both Type 1 and Type 2 Diabetes for the novice to the established professional. Whether you are training to be a Certified Diabetes Care and Education Specialist (CDCES), practicing at an advanced level and interested in board certification, or a health care professional and/or Certified Diabetes Care and Education Specialist (CDCES) who needs continuing education hours to renew your license or CDCES, we have diabetes education information, resources and training; learning and teaching tools; and diabetes online courses available for continuing education (CE). Read our disclaimer for full disclosure.