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 function 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! 

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 – 2023 CDCES Exam Content 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.
  • This exam is 200 Multiple Choice Questions broken into the following domains:
    • Domain 1: Assessment of the Diabetes Continuum (59)
    • Domain 2: Interventions for Diabetes Continuum (88)
    • Domain 3: Disease Management (28)
• BC-ADM: The exam is 175 Multiple Choice Questions broken into the following exam domains. These self-assessment pages will help you identify knowledge gaps and reaffirm content you are familiar with.
  • 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.

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 over 220+ sample practice 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.
• 220 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.

New: ADCES Diabetes Education Review Guide – 6th

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.

Find your Path: Quick Self-Assessment Survey

• To find your best study path, you can read the steps below.
• If you want a quick recommendation based on your goals, you can take this brief 4-question survey which provides customized advice.

Join our Virtual or Live Training Programs

From Diabetes Technology to Behavioral Change Theory, this interactive intensive will help demystify even the most complex of topics in diabetes care. 

Whether you are new to diabetes or a seasoned expert, you’ll benefit from this virtual conference with the latest research plus critical content that you can immediately apply to your clinical practice. 

DiabetesEd 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.

Hit the Books

ADCES Book Bundle: Desk Reference & Review Guide – 6th edition

Our most popular ADCES Book Bundle to prepare for the CDCES and BC-ADM. 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 combo for an additional boost in knowledge & focus on those areas you have identified during your self assessment.

NEW: ADCES Art & Science Desk Reference 6th Edition

The ADCES (formerly AADE) Art and Science of Diabetes Care and Education, 6th Edition is a specialist’s one-volume, go-to resource for the core knowledge and skills for providing person-centered care and education to persons with diabetes and related chronic conditions. This is a core resource for those who are studying for the Certified Diabetes Care and Education Specialist (CDCES) exam.

NEW: ADCES Review Guide 6th 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.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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.

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

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

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.

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.

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.

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 be applicable 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. See below for more information on this change.
  • 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.”
  • Practice Hours Spreadsheet Tracker. Download this sheet to easily track your practice hours.

What counts as “Diabetes Care & Education” hours?

From page 4 of the 2023 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

• 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 page 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

• Monitoring, interpreting, and applying results generated from complex patient data sets
• Formulating and prioritizing a problem list
• Educating individuals about medical nutrition therapy
• Incorporating technologies into practice for the maintenance and/or management of diabetes and cardiometabolic conditions
• Managing and adapting interventions for special populations
• Assisting patients with therapeutic problem?solving

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

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