We are excited to announce the most significant change to the CDCES Exam in the past 30 years (besides moving to computer testing from scantrons). If you plan on taking the CDCES exam after June 30, 2024, there will be fewer total questions and an increased focus on diabetes care and interventions.
The Certification Board for Diabetes Care and Education (CBDCE) handbook states that only 175 questions are needed, instead of 200, to evaluate if an individual has adequate expertise and mastery of the test content.
If you are taking the test through June 30, you can expect the same number of questions, 200 multiple-choice questions, using the current CDCES test outline.
Starting July 1, there will only be 175 test questions based on an updated test outline.
Regardless of when you take the exam, certain things will remain the same.
There will still be 25 questions that are NOT counted in the final test score. These questions are scattered throughout the exam and allow for collection of meaningful statistics about new questions, but are
not used in the determination of individual examination scores.
In addition, this exam results are based on a “scaled score” to ensure that different exam versions are equally challenging. The CBDCE has made no mention of a decrease in the four hours to complete the exam, and certificants can still take the exam at a testing site or choose live remote proctoring.
With the current CDCES test outline, effective through June 30, 2024, here is how the counted 175 questions are divided by content (There are 200 questions, but only 175 count toward the final score)
For more details, please see the current CDCES Exam Content Outline | January – June 2024 page 21.
Starting July 1, 2024, the test outline will have significant changes. Here is how the counted 150 questions are divided by content (There are 175 questions, but only 150 count toward the final score)
For more details, please see the CDCES Exam Content Outline | July 1, 2024
A lot of the changes are under “Care and Education Interventions” sections on the exam content outline effective July 1, 2024. For complete eligibility and certification information, the 2024 Certification Examination for Diabetes Educators Handbook contains detailed instructions on applying, study resources, and exam content outlines.
This is a great question, and Coach Beverly suggests carefully self-evaluating your testing style. If the thought of muscling through 200 questions seems overwhelming and question fatigue is an issue, consider taking the shorter version in July. However, as with any new exam, there may be some kinks to iron out, and there could be a slight delay in receiving test results in the first few months after the exam’s release, based on my experience. When there has been a test update in the past, the CBDCE took a few weeks to send the test results to test takers for a short time period.
Coach Beverly suggests basing your decision on your level of readiness. After reviewing the exam outline content, if you feel very familiar with the topics listed, plus you are scoring 80% or greater on practice exams, moving forward with the exam is a great choice. Keep in mind that the exam covers a wide breadth of information, from birth to death, plus during pregnancy, and addresses chronic and acute care in various settings. This means you will need to create a study plan that assesses knowledge gaps along with a plan to address those gaps.
Take a self-assessment short survey, “What Study Tools are Right for Me”
to help create your study path.
Yes, absolutely. We carefully consider the exam content outlines coupled with Coach Beverly’s test-taking experience when updating our program content.
Our online course content is updated each year based on a review of the latest ADA Guidelines and the CBDCE’s exam content outline. If the ADA Standards include new or updated information that is listed in the exam outline, we plug in these new medications, MNT approaches, goals, screening guidelines etc. into the course content. A big chunk of the changes starting in July are under the “Care and Education Interventions” section. The good news is that our library of courses already focus on person-centered care and the interventions that are outlined in section II, in the Exam Content Outline | July 1, 2024.
Coach Beverly also retakes the exam every renewal cycle for her certification so she can have a student’s perspective on sitting for the exam while developing course content. We try to focus specifically on material that is relevant for the exam, considers the overall ADA Standards of Care and ultimately improves quality of care delivered to people living with diabetes.
Our goal is to provide evidence-based, clinically relevant content that will also prepare participants for exam success. We’ve got you covered.
Our company Diabetes Education Services has no relationship with the CBDCE. All of the information posted in this blog is based on Coach Beverly’s careful review of the 2024 Certification Examination for Diabetes Educators Handbook.
Accreditation Information: Diabetes Education Services is an approved provider by the California Board of Registered Nursing, Provider 12640, and Commission on Dietetic Registration (CDR), Provider DI002. Since these programs are approved by the CDR it satisfies the CE requirements for the CDCES regardless of your profession.* The use of DES products does not guarantee the 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.
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The use of DES products does not guarantee the 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.
“What Year ADA Standards Should I Study?”
This popular question warrants careful consideration. Coach Beverly’s first response is from her exam experience, and then we will provide the official statement from CBDCE regarding this question.
Coach Beverly’s suggested approach and insights.
Being familiar with the ADA Standards of Care is an essential strategy for exam success. More importantly, this evidence-based guidebook is crucial for providing the best clinical and person-centered care.
Taking CDCES in January or February 2024?
If you are taking the exam in January or February 2024 and you have already read the 2023 ADA Standards cover-to-cover, you should be fine. It takes at least a year for the exam writers to include new questions culled from the ADA Standards. Having said that, if there are any critical new guidelines that impact clinical care, education, or treatment of diabetes, that content can be included in the exam that same year. One important caveat: if you are relying on last year’s standards, make sure to read through the Summary of Revisions section included in the Standard of Care.
Taking the Exam in 2024 Sometime?
On the other hand, if you are taking the exam in 2024 and haven’t reviewed the ADA Standards in the past, I recommend a thorough review of this clinical guidebook.
Short on Time?
In case of emergency, there is a shorter version of the ADA Standards called the Abridged version for Primary Care Providers that highlights critical clinical content. The abridged version can also be used as a quick review after you have read the entire document. Again, after successfully passing the exam seven times, my advice is to be familiar with the ADA Standards of Care in its entirety.
Study Strategies from Coach Beverly
Here is official statement on “Testing of Advancements” from the CBDCE
CBDCE recognizes that advances in the treatment of diabetes continue to be made. It is also recognized that the dissemination of this information may not occur at the same rate in different areas of the United States. In consideration, CBDCE has developed the following policies:
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The use of DES products does not guarantee the 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.
If your New Year’s resolution includes getting ready for diabetes certification exams, keep reading!
The Certification Board for Diabetes Care and Education Specialists (CBDCE) has posted a few critical updates on its website regarding CDCES testing blackout dates and an extension of COVID-19 pandemic professional practice requirements. This information will help as you plan your exam dates and work toward acquiring professional practice hours.
Blackout Periods for Application Submission, Scheduling, and CDCES Testing
According to the CBDCE website, to improve the candidate experience, they will be moving to a new application platform in early 2024. Due to this change, there will be specified periods where no applications are accepted, and testing will be closed.
Blackout period for exam application
To accomplish the transition to a new platform, there will be a two-week blackout period from February 9, 2024, to February 27, 2024, when individuals cannot apply for the CDCES exam.
Blackout period for exam application AND testing
In addition, there will be a blackout period where scheduling or testing is unavailable from February 19, 2024, to February 27, 2024.
Please consider this important information as part of your plan to apply, schedule, and take your CDCES exam. We will keep you updated and let you know if any changes occur.
Professional Practice Experience Updates
Starting in 2021, the CBDCE increased the period of time allowed to accumulate professional practice hours from 4 years to 5 years. This additional time allotment addressed the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the ability of health professionals to accrue practice experience in diabetes care and education (DCE). The CBDCE also decreased by half the number of diabetes care and education hours required within 12 months prior to taking the application.
The good news is that the CBDCE Board of Directors approved making these initial temporary changes to the professional practice requirement for initial certification to a permanent state (see table below).
According to the CBDCE Website, Professional Practice Experience Requirement Changes are identified
below:
Learn more about changes in the Pandemic Impact Certification Statement or visit CBDCE website.
Plus, you can join our FREE webinar coming up soon (see below)
Starting your journey to becoming a CDCES? You won’t want to miss our FREE Preparing for CDCES Exam Webinar! This course will transform your test anxiety into calm self-confidence and test-taking readiness. Coach Beverly has taken (and passed) the CDCES exam 7 times and loves sharing her insights on exam success. She will include the latest exam updates with her clear spoken and engaging approach.
A perfect way to kick off your New Year and it’s FREE!
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The use of DES products does not guarantee the successful passage of the CDCES exam. CBDCE does not endorse any prepa
We are thrilled to offer a catalog of FREE webinars for Diabetes Education Specialists. Below are the upcoming FREE webinar updates for September.
This course will transform your test anxiety into calm self-confidence and test-taking readiness.
Can’t make it live? No worries. We will send post the recorded version to the Online University within 24 hours of the broadcast
Instructor: Beverly Thomassian RN, MPH, CDCES, has been Board Certified in Advanced Diabetes Management for over 20 years. She is an Associate Clinical Professor at UCSF, a working educator, and a nationally recognized diabetes expert. She has a Master’s Degree in Public Health from UCLA, with a focus on behavioral health and education.
This course will transform your test anxiety into calm self-confidence and test-taking readiness.
She will also review sample test questions and the reasoning behind choosing the right answers. We hope you can join us.
Can’t make it live? No worries. We will send post the recorded version to the Online University within 24 hours of the broadcast
Instructor: Beverly Thomassian RN, MPH, CDCES, has been Board Certified in Advanced Diabetes Management for over 20 years. She is an Associate Clinical Professor at UCSF, a working educator, and a nationally recognized diabetes expert. She has a Master’s Degree in Public Health from UCLA, with a focus on behavioral health and education.
To celebrate 25 years as the CEO of Diabetes Education Services and 30 years of specializing in diabetes, I am excited to offer my ADCES presentation, Strategies to Revitalize your Diabetes Program or Business. If you are starting a diabetes self-management program or want to revitalize your current practice, we invite you to join this one-hour webinar full of practical tips on advocating for the best health care in a variety of practice settings.
Topics covered include:
Intended Audience: A great course for healthcare professionals starting a diabetes self-management program or for those who want to revitalize their current diabetes practice.
All hours earned count toward your CDCES Accreditation Information
Sign up for Diabetes Blog Bytes – we post one daily Blog Byte from Monday to Friday. And of course, Tuesday is our Question of the Week. It’s Informative and FREE! Sign up below!
The use of DES products does not guarantee the 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.
You passed the CDCES Exam (yay)! Now five years have flown by, you are up for renewal. How do you maintain this hard-earned certification?
This year, the CBDCE published new rules to renew certification which you might have missed. To make sure there are no surprises during your renewal process, here are key considerations from the CBDCE Website that we hope you find helpful!
To promote quality and inclusive diabetes care and education, the CBDCE Board changed the continuing education (CE) content requirements. Certificants will still need to complete 75 CE units over a five-year period. However, to make sure CDCES’s stay abreast of the latest standards and promote inclusive care, the Board is now requiring participation in CE courses that provide updates on the ADA Standards of Care at least twice during the individual’s renewal cycle.
This means that starting in 2023, certificants will need to start acquiring these more specific CEs in preparation for 2025 renewal.
According to the CBDCE, to successfully renew their CDCES, applicants must participate in CE activities that are focused on the American Diabetes Association’s Standards of Care for Diabetes* two separate times during your renewal cycle.
2. In addition, the following CE Activities are encouraged:
If you are renewing your CDCES in 2025 or later by completing 75 CE units over the five-year period, the CBDCE requires that you demonstrate completion of the following type of CE Activities (you can immediately start accumulating these needed CEs). The CBDCE encourages the following CE activities at least once during your renewal cycle:
Diabetes Education Services Online University is Here to Help
*Since Diabetes Education Services is Accredited by the Commission on Dietetic Registration (CDR), all of our courses can be applied toward your CDCES Renewal.
Our content incorporates the ADA Standards and Content Requirements
Our Level 2 ADA Standards of Care series, CDCES Basic Prep Bundle, and our new “Everything” Bundle are perfect options for those working toward CDCES renewal requirements. Plus, we update our entire library of content yearly to reflect the latest ADA Guidelines.
In addition, our DiabetesEd Training Programs cover the ADA Standards of Care with clarity and intention by a trio of experts, including Diana Issacs, PharmD, BC-ADM, CDCES, and FADCES a contributing author to the ADA Standards.
Plus, all of our content incorporates education principles and teaching strategies, with a special emphasis on population health, equity, diversity, and inclusion.
We are here to help you succeed. Whether you are starting your journey or working toward recertification, our Standards of Care Intensive, CDCES Basic Prep Bundle, and our new “Everything” Bundle or DiabetesEd Training Conferences are perfect options to meet your goals.
For more information, visit CBDCE Renewal Webpage and/or the current Renewal Handbook for details on the requirements.
Achieving my CDCES is one of the best and most meaningful investments in professional career! ~ Coach Beverly
We will award two diabetes educators who provide care and education to under-served communities that lack access to Diabetes Specialists and healthcare resources. Applicants will be taking their CDCES exam within a year. Each scholarship covers course registration for our Live in San Diego: DiabetesEd Training Conference Registration and 2 nights hotel stay.
We are offering two scholarships, both for the entire registration of the Live Training and 2 hotel nights:
*These scholarships cover the course registration fee and 2 nights hotel stay. It does not cover any other expenses incurred by the winners (including travel expenses, food, transportation, etc.). Please consider travel and other costs prior to applying for the scholarship. Each applicant must currently reside within the United States. If you are interested, please click on the button below to complete the scholarship application.
Applications are due July 24th, 2023. We will be announcing the recipients by July 31st, 2023.
The use of DES products does not guarantee the 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.
Sign up for Diabetes Blog Bytes – we post one daily Blog Byte from Monday to Friday. And of course, Tuesday is our Question of the Week. It’s Informative and FREE! Sign up below!
The use of DES products does not guarantee the successful passage of the diabetes certification exams. CBDCE & ADCES does not endorse any preparatory or review materials for the certification exams, except for those published by CBDCE & ADCES.
**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.
This course will transform your test anxiety into calm self-confidence and test-taking readiness.
“Becoming a Certified Diabetes Care and Education Specialist (CDCES) is one of the best professional and personal decisions I have ever made.” – Coach Beverly Thomassian, RN, MPH, CDCES, BC-ADM
All hours earned count toward your CDCES Accreditation Information
Sign up for Diabetes Blog Bytes – we post one daily Blog Byte from Monday to Friday. And of course, Tuesday is our Question of the Week. It’s Informative and FREE! Sign up below!
The use of DES products does not guarantee the 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.
This course integrates the ADA American Diabetes Association’s (ADA) Standard of Medical Care in Diabetes on elements of a comprehensive medical assessment (Standard 4) of the individual living with prediabetes, diabetes, or hyperglycemia. Through case studies & real-life situations, we discover often hidden causes of hyperglycemia, & other complications, such as liver disease, sleep apnea, pancreatitis, autoimmune diseases, & more. We delve into therapy for complicated situations a discuss management strategies for other conditions associated with hyperglycemia such as Cystic Fibrosis, & Transplants.
Objectives:
This course will transform your test anxiety into calm self-confidence and test-taking readiness.
*Not eligible to combine with other discounts.
“Becoming a Certified Diabetes Care and Education Specialist (CDCES) is one of the best professional and personal decisions I have ever made.” – Coach Beverly Thomassian, RN, MPH, CDCES, BC-ADM
All hours earned count toward your CDCES Accreditation Information
Sign up for Diabetes Blog Bytes – we post one daily Blog Byte from Monday to Friday. And of course, Tuesday is our Question of the Week. It’s Informative and FREE! Sign up below!
The use of DES products does not guarantee the 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.
Are you preparing for the CDCES Exam?
Starting your journey to becoming a CDCES? We recommend watching our FREE Preparing for CDCES Exam Webinar!
This course will transform your test anxiety into calm self-confidence and test taking readiness.
Read More: What is a CDCES? First awarded in 1986, as Certified Diabetes Educator (CDE) credential and in 2020 with a new name: Certified Diabetes Care and Education Specialist (CDCES) to more accurately reflect the specialty. CDCES has become a standard of excellence for the delivery of quality diabetes education. Those who hold this certification are known to possess comprehensive knowledge of and experience in diabetes prevention, management, and prediabetes. “Becoming a Certified Diabetes Care and Education Specialist (CDCES) is one of the best professional and personal decisions I have ever made.” – Coach Beverly Thomassian, RN, MPH, CDCES, BC-ADM
Read More: 3 Reasons to Become a CDCES “The best part of becoming a CDCES is working with my colleagues and people living with diabetes. As diabetes educators, we hear compelling and beautiful life stories. I am astounded by the barriers they face and inspired by their adaptability, problem-solving skills, and resilience.” Reason 1: CDCES is a widely recognized certification by employers and health care professionals throughout the U.S. This credential demonstrates a specialized and in-depth knowledge in the prevention and treatment of individuals living with pre-diabetes and diabetes. Reason 2: Currently, 10% of people in the U.S. have diabetes and another 35% have pre-diabetes which means 45% of Americans are running around with elevated blood glucose levels. Given this epidemic, there will be plenty of future job opportunities. Reason 3: Having my CDCES along with my nursing degree, has opened many doors of opportunity; from working as an inpatient Diabetes Nurse Specialist in a hospital to working as a Manager of Diabetes Education in the outpatient setting to starting my own consulting company.
This bundle includes our CDCES Online Prep Bundle plus the ADCES Review Guide.
The online bundle includes Level 1, Level 2, and Level 3 (Boot Camp), plus two bonus courses. The ADCES Review Guide offers over 480+ practice questions and is a fantastic independent study tool and comprehensive resource for the Diabetes Care and Education Specialist Exam.
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.
Download Course Schedule | Download Course Flyer
If you are seeking a state-of-the-art review of current diabetes care, this course is for you. Our team has been fine-tuning this course for over fifteen years, and we know what you need. This program can also be a great addition to your CDCES or BC-ADM exam study plan.
Join us LIVE for this Virtual Course and enjoy a sense of community!
Team of expert faculty includes:
Deluxe Option for $499: Virtual Program includes:
Deluxe Version includes Syllabus, Standards and Swag*:
Basic Option for $399: Virtual Program includes:
Don’t worry if you can’t make it live. Your registration guarantees access to the recorded version in the Online University.
All hours earned count toward your CDCES Accreditation Information
Sign up for Diabetes Blog Bytes – we post one daily Blog Byte from Monday to Friday. And of course, Tuesday is our Question of the Week. It’s Informative and FREE! Sign up below!
The use of DES products does not guarantee the 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.