Author:
Sarah Hormachea, MS, RD, CDCES, BC-ADM
Diabetes Care and Education, LLC
If you subscribe to the CBDCE listserv, you probably noticed a recent email announcing exploration of a new credential for diabetes support staff. It immediately caught my attention because these roles represent such an important, and often underrecognized, part of the diabetes care workforce.
In many diabetes clinics, there is always that one exceptional medical assistant, technician, or support staff member who becomes the go-to person for everything. From downloading CGM reports and linking devices to healthcare portals, to troubleshooting technology, coordinating data, and keeping clinic workflows moving, they do it all. These team members are becoming increasingly essential as diabetes technology becomes more integrated into routine care.
Yet despite their expertise and impact, many of these individuals have historically had limited access to formal credentialing pathways or opportunities for professional advancement because they were not eligible to pursue credentials like the CDCES based on their discipline or professional background.
That’s about to change. This proposed credential could represent an important shift in recognizing and supporting the broader diabetes care workforce. Let’s explore what we know so far, why this matters, and what it could mean for your clinic, your team, and diabetes care delivery.
What Is CBDCE?
If you are exploring specialty credentialing in diabetes care and education, you have likely come across CBDCE, the Certification Board for Diabetes Care and Education (https://www.cbdce.org/). It is the accrediting body that manages both the CDCES (Certified Diabetes Care and Education Specialist) and BC-ADM (Board Certified in Advanced Diabetes Management) credentials.
CBDCE plays a central role in professional standards and credentialing within diabetes care, administering exams and helping uphold high standards of practice in diabetes care and education.
Who Is Eligible for the CDCES and BC-ADM Credentials?
Historically, eligibility pathways for diabetes specialty credentials were largely limited to direct clinical disciplines, primarily nurses, dietitians, and pharmacists. Over time, credentialing has expanded to become more inclusive of other professions, including occupational therapists, physical therapists, behavioral health clinicians, advanced practice providers, and even physicians.
The BC-ADM credential was initially geared toward advanced practice nursing, but eligibility has since expanded to include a broader range of clinicians, including pharmacists and registered dietitians with advanced degrees. You can learn more about credentialing pathways here.
(https://diabetesed.net/start-your-journey/).
Unfortunately, many valuable diabetes support staff still do not qualify to sit for the CDCES or BC-ADM exams, despite their knowledge and experience in the field.
A New Credential for the Unsung Heroes of Diabetes Clinics
Healthcare administrators, program managers, and clinicians increasingly recognize the need for a credential that acknowledges the individuals supporting diabetes care and education workflows. This could include medical assistants, community health workers, dietetic technicians, nursing assistants, referral coordinators, and exercise specialists who play essential roles in diabetes care delivery.
Currently, many of these roles lack clear pathways for recognition, advancement, and compensation, despite growing expertise in diabetes care and technology. This creates challenges for both professional development and workforce retention.
A formal credential could help validate knowledge and experience in diabetes support workflows, similar to how clinics use the CDCES or BC-ADM credentials to identify specialized clinical expertise.
What We Know About the Proposed Credential So Far
Honestly, not much has been formally announced yet. What we do know is that CBDCE recently distributed an email requesting feedback as they explore the creation of a new credential for support-level staff. The stated goal is to better recognize individuals working in these roles while also expanding access to quality diabetes care and education.
CBDCE also distributed surveys to assess whether there is a workforce gap this credential could help address. Questions focused on the real-world responsibilities of diabetes support staff, hiring and retention challenges, which disciplines commonly fill these roles, and whether organizations would value a formal credential pathway.
The survey also explored potential implementation barriers, including staff training time, leadership support, awareness of the credential, and cost considerations, with proposed pricing ranging from less than $100 to more than $400.
Perceived Value of the Credential
Another section of the survey explored the perceived benefits of pursuing the credential, including improving diabetes knowledge and skills, validating expertise, supporting career advancement, and helping individuals distinguish themselves professionally. Respondents were also asked whether the credential could support hiring requirements, promotions, bonuses, or pay increases.
What We Still Do Not Know
Many important details remain unclear, including the final name of the credential, eligibility requirements, core competencies, training or examination expectations, and whether it will function as a certificate program or formal certification. It is also unclear how the role will differentiate itself from existing diabetes specialty credentials, though ADCES’s DCES Core Practice Competencies (https://www.adces.org/practice/practice-documents/practice-competencies) may offer some insight into how foundational diabetes support skills could be defined.
Importantly, scope of practice would still largely be determined by an individual’s licensure, discipline, and employer role expectations.
What Could This Mean for You?
If you work in diabetes care and education but have historically been ineligible to sit for the CDCES exam, this could represent a new pathway to validate your knowledge, experience, and expertise in the field.
For CDCES professionals, program administrators, and healthcare organizations, this credential may also provide a better way to identify and hire support staff with demonstrated diabetes knowledge and workflow experience.
One thing is clear: diabetes prevalence continues to rise rapidly, particularly in the primary care setting. As diabetes care becomes more complex and technology-driven, the need for highly skilled multidisciplinary care teams has never been greater.
Sarah Hormachea, MS, RD, CDCES, BC-ADM
Owner & Consultant, Sarah Hormachea: Diabetes Care and Education, LLC
Disclosures
She serves as an elected member of the Board of Directors for the Association of Diabetes Care & Education Specialists.
References:
- Certification Board for Diabetes Care and Education. CBDCE website. Accessed May 13, 2026. https://www.cbdce.org
- Association of Diabetes Care & Education Specialists. DCES competencies. Accessed May 13, 2026. https://www.adces.org/practice/practice-documents/practice-competencies
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