Entering the Field of Diabetes Education | Building a Bridge Program
Building a Bridge to Welcome New Diabetes Specialists
We are geared up to help grow and mentor future diabetes specialists to meet the increasing and varied needs of our diabetes community.
Over the next 10 years we are “Building a Bridge” to welcome a thousand new diabetes educators into the field. If you know a healthcare professional seeking a new challenge and eager to pursue a meaningful and rewarding specialty, please invite them to consider becoming a Certified Diabetes Care and Education Specialist (CDCES).
“Making a Difference” Scholarship: Diabetes Education Services is committed to improving equity and access to diabetes training and education for a diverse group of healthcare professionals. We don’t want financial barriers to stop anyone from attending this conference. In appreciation of those who are role models and advocates for practicing the best diabetes care in their communities. Applications due Feb.24th, 2025.
In addition to our “Making a Difference” Scholarship: in order to reach the goal of encouraging healthcare professionals to enter the field, we have created a new FREE webinar that outlines the benefits and steps involved in “Becoming a Diabetes Specialist.” We want to share this information with as many healthcare professionals as possible to encourage them to consider specializing in diabetes. Our goal is to cast this net far and wide to address the rising prevalence of diabetes and empower health care professionals to enter the field.
The Bridge and Scholarship program is not just about learning—it’s about creating connections, fostering growth and building a community of passionate diabetes care professionals. We are excited to offer this incredible opportunity to those who are committed to advancing their skills and knowledge in diabetes education. Together, we can make a real difference in the lives of those living with diabetes.
Why Become a CDCES?
On a personal note, becoming a CDCES is one of the best professional decisions I have ever made. This certification has opened the door to many opportunities and dramatically increased my job satisfaction. ~ Coach Beverly
Currently, 16% of people in the United States live with diabetes, and over 38% live with prediabetes according to the CDC. Diabetes is more prevalent in communities of color and impacts individuals with less income and resources. CDCES’s are influential in addressing health disparities and promoting equitable care through their work in health care settings across the country.
Currently, there are 19,500 healthcare professionals with the CDCES credential, including registered nurses (RNs), nurse practitioners (NPs), registered dietitian nutritionists (RDNs), pharmacists, physicians, and physician assistants (PAs)es. At Diabetes Education Services, we are trying to enhance diversity within the CDCES community through our scholarship programs, to encourage a broader range of applicants to pursue certification. We are planning to offer more scholarships in the future to reach our goal of welcoming a thousand new educators into this profession.
There is more to be done, and we appreciate your help speaking to colleagues and letting them know about the benefits of becoming a CDCES. If you are part of a healthcare organization and want Coach Beverly to present the steps involved in becoming a Diabetes Specialist, we are happy to provide a virtual presentation at no cost. Please reach out to discuss details at [email protected].
Benefits of Becoming a CDCES
- Improving Diabetes Outcomes and Quality of Life
- CDCES professionals advocate for effective diabetes management through person-centered care and education.
- Studies show that diabetes education improves glycemic management, reduces complications, and lowers hospitalization rates.
- Diabetes care specialists address the psychosocial aspects of diabetes and support problem-solving and well-being.
- Addressing Health Disparities
- CDCESs are essential in caring for diverse populations, including those disproportionately affected by diabetes.
- We are a part of advocating for equity and increased access to care.
- Healthcare Costs
- Diabetes education can significantly reduce healthcare costs by preventing complications such as heart disease, kidney failure, and lower extremity complications.
- CDCESs contribute to cost savings by promoting preventive care and self-management.
- Expansion of Care Models
- With a shift towards value-based care, there is a growing emphasis on preventive health services and chronic disease management, increasing demand for CDCESs in hospitals, clinics, and community health settings.
- CDCES professionals are vital in addressing the diabetes crisis in the U.S., improving both individual health outcomes and public health overall. Their expertise is increasingly in demand across various healthcare settings.
How to Become a Certified Diabetes Care and Education Specialist (CDCES)
- Educational Requirement: Hold a relevant degree such as in nursing, dietetics, pharmacy, or other health-related field.
- Professional Licensure: Maintain an active license in a qualifying health discipline (e.g., RN, RD, MD, etc.) or have a degree in an eligible field like public health or social work.
- Experience Requirement: A minimum of two years (to the day) of professional practice experience in the discipline under which one is applying for certification. Obtain at least 1,000 hours of diabetes education experience within the last five years, with at least 200 hours in the most recent year.
- Continuing Education: Complete at least 15 hours of continuing education in diabetes management and care within 2 years before applying.
- Exam Application and Preparation: Apply for the CDCES exam through the Certification Board for Diabetes Care and Education (CBDCE). Prepare using study materials, review courses, and practice exams related to diabetes education.
- Maintain Certification: You can renew your certification every five years through continuing education, fulfilling practice hour requirements, or retaking the exam.
Additional Resources
Visit this page to gain ideas on how to get your 1000 practice hours and to use our hours tracker.
Visit the official CBDCE website or relevant professional bodies for more detailed guidance or recent updates.
Visit our CDCES Prep Page for more information and to register for FREE Webinars with lots of helpful information.
- Explore more helpful resources
We believe in your success! Learn the steps involved in preparing for the certification exams, earning CEs, and gaining confidence as a Diabetes Education Specialists and more!
Take a trip through our 10 Step Roadmap to Success for easy access to the tools and resources you need to succeed at either or both certification exams!
Want to learn more about our accreditation and how our CEs can help you meet the requirements for the CDCES exam? Click above to explore the details of our accredited courses.
Coach Beverly’s goal is to support our Diabetes Education Community and provide meaningful resources that are useful for your daily practice. Please enjoy these FREE resources that we have put together for you.
Interested in becoming a CDCES but not sure where to start?
Our 2-Step FREE Webinars Series Will Guide You
Our FREE webinars will help you discover the steps required to become a CDCES and will transform your test anxiety into calm self-confidence and test-taking readiness.
- Want to learn more about the qualifications to take the CDCES exam? Register for our Free “Becoming A Diabetes Specialist” Step 1 Webinar.
- Taking the CDCES Exam in the next 6 months? Register for our Step 2, “Prep to Take the CDCES Exam” Free Webinar.
Step 1: Becoming a Diabetes Specialist (CDCES)
Step 2: Preparing to Take the CDCES Exam
Can’t join us live?
Don’t worry, if you register, we will send you a link to the recorded version.
If you are a health care professional considering becoming a CDCES and want to learn more about eligibility and benefits of joining the Diabetes Education Community, this FREE webinar is for YOU. Coach Beverly will provide clarification on requirements, exam content, and study strategies to prepare for success.
We will review examination process, sample test questions, and the reasoning behind choosing the BEST answers.
Step 1: Webinar Topics
- Benefits of becoming a CDCES
- CDCES eligibility requirements for 2025
- Exam outline and study strategies to succeed
Step 2: Webinar Topics
- Test content updates for 2025
- Strategies to experience exam success
- Review of study tips and test taking practice questions
Building a Bridge Program: At Diabetes Education Services, our goal is to mentor the next generation of Certified Diabetes Care and Education Specialists (CDCES). We are committed to welcoming healthcare professionals with diverse experiences and backgrounds to enter the diabetes field. Our online programs and scholarship programs aim to provide emerging CDCES professionals with the knowledge, skills, and confidence to address the unique challenges encountered by people with diabetes from all walks of life, while also preparing them for certification.
Instructor
Coach Beverly Thomassian, RN, MPH, BC-ADM, CDCES
Author, Nurse, Educator, Clinician, and Innovator, Beverly has specialized in diabetes management for over twenty years and has successfully passed the CDCES exam six times. As president and founder of Diabetes Education Services, Beverly is dedicated to optimizing diabetes care and improving the lives of those with diabetes.
“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
Why become a CDCES?
3 Reasons from Coach Beverly
Read: 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.“
– Coach Beverly Thomassian, RN, MPH, CDCES, BC-ADM
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, 13% of people in the U.S. have diabetes and another 36% have pre-diabetes which means 49% 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.
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 of continuing education. Diabetes Education Services is accredited/approved by the Commission of Dietetic Registration which is on the list of CBDCE Recognized Providers.
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