Study Tools for the Certified Diabetes Care & Education Specialist (CDCES) Exam
Step 1: Sign Up For Our Free Webinars
In addition to our Step 2 Webinar: Preparing for the CDCES Exam, these webinar courses created and led by Coach Bev, explore important topics emphasized in the CDCES Exam & explore proven exam success strategies.
Step 2: Review the Qualifications to Achieve Your CDCES
Download the 2026 Certification Examination for Diabetes Educators Handbook for detailed information on eligibility requirements and the certification process. Inside, you’ll also find application instructions, study resources, and everything you need to successfully apply.
Step 3: Review Our 10 Steps to Succeed Page
Coach Beverly has developed a comprehensive 10-Step Study Path and curated Material List designed to set you up for success. Built on 25 years of CDCES coaching experience and invaluable student feedback, these resources will help you prepare for the exam, earn continuing education credits, strengthen your expertise, and build confidence as a diabetes educator—and beyond.
Step 4: Increase Your Knowledge
Attend our Live & Virtual DiabetesEd Specialist Course to gain critical information and clinical pearls you can immediately apply in your practice. You can also expand your knowledge by enrolling in our Online University courses. If you're unable to attend a live seminar, explore our convenient course bundles—your registration includes guaranteed access to the recorded webinar so you can learn on your schedule.
We have a wealth of programs and study tools to help you succeed!
Step 5: Review Articles to Prepare for CDCES Exam
Coach Beverly's Diabetes Cheat Sheets
Our Diabetes Cheat Sheet page delivers concise, practical tools to support your clinical practice and exam preparation. Updated annually in line with the latest ADA Standards of Care and current evidence, it includes clinical references, medication and exam study sheets, pocket cards, diabetes technology resources, nutrition guidance, person-centered coaching tools, patient teaching handouts, and curated diabetes apps—all organized for quick, easy use.
ADA Standards of Care 2026
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. Great for your office and as a study tool.
Med Cheat Sheets | Cholesterol and Hypertension Medications
These summary sheets are helpful for your clinical practice and preparing for certification exams. For exam success, be familiar with the general concepts, (side effects and precautions) of these medications.
Landmark Studies
A short cheat sheets that highlights the major diabetes trials and the significant findings.
Pharmacologic Approaches to Glycemic Treatment
This ADA/EASD hyperglycemia road map details strategies to improve glucose management for both Type 1 and Type 2 Diabetes. Section 9 of Standards of Care, 2026.
American Association of Clinical Endocrinology Consensus Statement – 2026 Update
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 taking the certification exam.
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.
What We Say Matters Resource Page
Language is powerful and can have a strong impact on perceptions as well as behavior. This mini webinar and article provide recommendations for the language used by health care 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.
Carb Counting Made Easy
We get a lot of questions from our community about how the Diabetes Exchange List and Carb Counting Resources. Yes, you still need to know that milk has 12gms of carb per serving using the exchange list for your certification exams! Now you can now access these Carb Cheat Sheets plus some plant based nutrition resources on one easy page.
Diabetes Exchange List
The Exchange Lists are the basis of a meal planning system designed by a committee of the American Diabetes Association and the American Dietetic Association.
e-Newsletter
Bringing You Important News at a Glance . Every month we send a newsletter full of important news, developments, and topics related to Diabetes Care & Ediucation.
Blog Bytes
Coach Beverly and Team are excited to share nutrition and medication updates, technological advancements in diabetes and much more!
CDCES Coach App
Our CDCES Coach App is a mobile resource hub for all of our amazing resources, including free quizzes, Cheat Sheets, free webinars, an access point for our Online University, the ADA Standards of Care, and more!
Question & Rationale of the Week
Our “Question of the Week” is created by Coach Beverly to cover a variety of Diabetes-related topics. The questions are designed to keep you current and prepare you for the CDCES and BC-ADM Exams. Every Thursday, we dive into the previous week's practice question for a Rationale to find the best answer.
