Author: Coach Beverly Thomassian RN, MPH, CDCES, BC-ADM
Are you considering working toward adding Board Certification in Advanced Diabetes Management (BC-ADM) after your name? This mastery level credential recognizes your clinical expertise and dedication to outstanding diabetes care.
Changes Coming in 2027 to Eligibility, the Exam and Renewal
The Certification Board for Diabetes Care and Education (CBDCE) is updating several aspects of the Board Certified-Advanced Diabetes Management (BC-ADM) credential starting in 2027. According to a recent announcement by CBDCE, here is a quick summary of the change to more clearly differentiate the CDCES and BC-ADM certifications.
What is changing and what is the same?
Content and Focus of Exam:
New exam content will be updated with a clearer focus on complex clinical management in diabetes care. The examination will be updated to reflect the healthcare community’s current standards of evidence-based clinical practice in diabetes care.
An updated education content outline will be available by the end of 2026. The content will be updated for the June 2027 exam.
Same: Exam will be offered twice a year, in June and December.
Health CAre Eligibility
- New Eligibility requirements will focus recognizing healthcare professionals who are clinical decision makers and prescribers in diabetes care.
- Same Degree & Licensure requirements: Hold a master’s degree and a current license as an RN, RD, RPh, PA, NP, or MD/DO.
- Same Hours of Experience: Have completed 500 hours of advanced diabetes clinical practice within the past 48 months.
- The renewal timeline will be updated from a 5-year to a 3-year cycle to more appropriately keep current with the unprecedented pace of change in healthcare, as well as evolving practices in certification.
What is the same?
Elgibility
The exam is only offered twice a year, in June and December. With anticipated exam changes in 2027, we recommend you consider taking the exam in December this year.
Currently, there are about 1,900 health care professionals who have achieved their BC-ADM certification (compared to 20,000 CDCES’s). The majority are Master’s prepared nurses (56%) and Pharmacists (27%). Only 10% are RDN’s. Physicians and PA’s make up the remaining 7%.
About 240 Health care professionals sit for the BC-ADM each year, with about a 75% exam pass rate.
Are You Eligible?
To qualify to take the BC-ADM in 2026, you need to meet these two requirements (there are eligibility changes coming in 2027).
- Degree & License: Hold a master’s degree and a current license as an RN, RD, RPh, PA, NP, or MD/DO.
- Experience: Have completed 500 hours of advanced diabetes clinical practice within the past 48 months.
Next Steps to Achieve Your BC-ADM
The exam is only offered twice a year, in June and December. With anticipated exam changes in 2027, we recommend you consider taking the exam in December this year.
The Certification Board for Diabetes Care and Education (CBDCE) is updating several aspects of the Board Certified-Advanced Diabetes Management (BC-ADM) credential starting in 2027.
According to the CBDCE, these changes are designed to reflect rapid advancements in diabetes technology, pharmacotherapy, and clinical guidelines. The updates ensure that the credential remains relevant to today’s complex clinical environment.
These changes will impact new applicants starting with the June 2027 BC-ADM Exam. For the first category, most of the eligibility requirements are basically the same. However, for health care professionals that fall under category 2, there is a major change in the description and subsequent qualifications. The wording now states that certification is intended for HCP who serve as prescribers. This new “prescriber” requirement results in several significant changes associated with Category 2.
Keep reading to see what has remained the same and the new requirement outlined in section 2.
Eligibility Requirements for Board Certification in Advanced Diabetes Management 2027
Beginning January 1, 2027, updated eligibility requirements will take effect for all new applicants.
The BC-ADM certification is intended for health care professionals who serve as prescribers and clinical decision-makers in diabetes care. Qualified candidates must meet the requirements in one of the two categories below. Note: The Professional practice experience requirement of 500 hours will remain unchanged for all applicants.
Category 1: Physicians and Advanced Practice Providers - Applicants qualify if they hold one of the following active licenses or credentials: MD, DO, PA, NP
Category 2: Advanced Practice nurses, pharmacists and dietitians in clinical decision-making roles. Applicants qualify if they meet all three of the following requirements:
- Hold one of the following licenses or credentials:
- RN, RD/RDN, RPh
- Advanced degree -possess a master’s degree or higher in a clinical or health care-related field.
- Authorized to clinically manage diabetes care as documented through (NEW):
- Medication prescribing authority in their state, OR
- Current collaborative practice agreement (CPA) or delegation protocol (DP) in place with an institution, physician, or authorized prescriber supporting the clinical management of diabetes patients.
As a BC-ADM of over 20 years, I am very concerned that this new “prescriber” requirement will discourage a wide swath of healthcare professionals from considering applying. My worry is that it may create a significant barrier for pharmacists, dietitians and nurses like me, who have in a related healthcare field, who work in a rural clinic with no chance of getting prescriptive authority.
If the goal is to cast a wide net to include more pharmacist and RD’s, especially in rural areas, this new “prescriber” requirement may serve as a significant roadblock.
Coach Bev's Suggestion:
Given this new prescriber mandate, If you are thinking about taking the BC-ADM, seriously consider taking it this year in December 2025, before the new eligibility requirements change and the test is updated. Online application deadline is November 1st with a testing window of December 1-31, 2026. Application fee is $500 for 5 years (equivalent of $120 a year). Check out CBDCE application page for more information.
Given the current economic situation, we have rolled back prices for our BC-ADM Bundle. Plus, we will be adding a handful of FREE 10 minute “Fill in the Gap” webinars that address exam topics such as: Regulatory Agencies, CQI, Research, Diabetes Organizations and more. This bundle has been curated over time by Coach Beverly and is guaranteed to meet all the topic areas on the BC-ADM outline. Plus, we will be updating our online content based on the 2027 updated BC-ADM outline. Since you have access to our courses for a year, you will have access to the updated content too.
What about those who already have their BC-ADM?
What do you need to do now? There is nothing that current BC-ADM holders need to do at this time. These changes will have no impact on eligibility or certification status for current certificants, and there is no impact to your current renewal term. All current certificants will be grandparented in perpetuity as long as renewal requirements are maintained
When will the renewal cycle change go into effect? All current certificants will renew on the stated expiration date of their certification as originally scheduled, and all renewal requirements will remain the same through the remainder of the current cycle.
If your current term expires in 2026 or 2027, you will continue to have a 5-year renewal for one more iteration.
If your current term expires in 2028 or later you will be automatically transitioned to a 3-year renewal after you have met your current requirements
Importantly, the new eligibility updates only impact future candidates who apply for the BC-ADM in 2027 or later. All current BC-ADM holders will be grandparented in perpetuity. Existing professionals will retain their credentials as long as they maintain active certification status. Furthermore, proof of prescribing authority or collaborative agreements is only verified at the time of application. So, like me, if you are performing as a BC-ADM without prescriptive authority, you won’t lose your certification status.
Changes to the Exam – Starting in 2027
The BC-ADM examination is also undergoing an overhaul to match updated evidence-based practices. The updated content will pivot sharply toward advanced, complex clinical case management. The final test under the current framework will be administered in December 2026. CBDCE will release a new educational content outline by the end of 2026, ahead of the June 2027 exam window.
Shorter Recertification Timeline – 5 to 3 Years
To encourage continuous learning, the CBDCE is shortening the recertification timeline. The renewal cycle will shift from a five-year period down to a three-year period. Because the cycle is shorter, the required continuing education and practice hours are being reduced proportionally. The renewal fee will remain set at $500, meaning practitioners will not face increased costs per application.
Ultimately, these updates elevate the credibility of the BC-ADM credential across the healthcare industry. They ensure that advanced diabetes specialists stay aligned with modern medical developments. By streamlining requirements and standardizing cycles, the CBDCE protects public confidence and improves clinical care outcomes.
In 2025, the BC-ADM administration transitioned from the ADCES to the CBDCE. Following a detailed market analysis, the board identified a need to clearly distinguish the BC-ADM from the CDCES credential. While the CDCES focuses on comprehensive diabetes education and self-management, the BC-ADM targets advanced clinical decision-makers and prescribers. Actively addressing this now helps employers and healthcare systems make informed choices.
📋 Quick Summary of Core Changes for NEW applicants starting in 2027
- Shorter Renewal Cycle: Decreases from 5 years to 3 years.
- CE Hours: 45 hours every 3 years (instead of 75 hours every 5 years)
- Practice Hours: Shifts from 1,000 hours to 600 hours every 3 years.
- Fixed Price: The renewal fee stays flat at $500 every 3 years.
- Prescribing Focus: New applicants must have prescribing power or formal collaborative agreements.
- New Exam Matrix: Updated exam content launches in 2027.
- Grandparenting Protection: Current certificate holders keep their status regardless of new baseline rules.
Metric/Requirement
Current Framework
(Pre-2027)
New Framework
(Effective Jan 1, 2027)
Renewal Cycle Length
5 Years.
3 Years.
Diabetes-Specific CE Hours
75 Hours.
45 Hours.
Required Practice Hours
1,000 Hours over 5 years.
600 Hours over 3 years.
Application Renewal Fee
$500 (Unchanged).
Initial Experience Requirement
500 Hours over 48 months.
Target Candidate Focus
Broad advanced practice role.
In 2025, the BC-ADM administration transitioned from the ADCES to the CBDCE. Following a detailed market analysis, the board identified a need to clearly distinguish the BC-ADM from the CDCES credential. While the CDCES focuses on comprehensive diabetes education and self-management, the BC-ADM targets advanced clinical decision-makers and prescribers. Actively addressing this now helps employers and healthcare systems make informed choices.
Coach Beverly Thomassian RN, MPH, CDCES, BC-ADM
Preparing for the BC-ADM Certification Exam?
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