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

“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, 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.

CDCES Deluxe Prep Bundle Levels 1, 2, & 3 + Toolkits | 47 CEs

Beverly has custom designed this deluxe course bundle to prepare you for your CDCES (formerly known as CDE) or BC-ADM Exam.

This Deluxe Prep Bundle includes:

• Level 1 – Diabetes Fundamentals
• Level 2 – Standards of Care 
• Level 3 – Boot Camp
• Test Taking Toolkit – over 220 practice questions!
• Technology Toolkit – Insulin pumps, sensors, and calculations, oh my!
• Bonus Course: Mindfulness and Compassion in the Diabetes Encounter 

CDCES Online Prep Bundle + 5th Ed ADCES Certification Exam Review Guide Book | 40+ CEs

Beverly has custom-designed this course bundle to prepare you for your CDCES Exam. This bundle includes our CDCES Online Prep Bundle (featured above) plus the ADCES (formerly AADE) Review Guide – 5th Edition – Revised. 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.

ADA 2022 Standards of Medical Care in Diabetes

This yearly publication by the American Diabetes Association outlines the goals of care for diabetes management. Since it is evidence-based, it includes a useful summary of the trials and research that the goals are based on. A must-read if you are entering the diabetes field or preparing to take the CDCES or BC-ADM Exam.

ADA Standards of Care – 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

ADA Standards of Care 2022

Screening and Diagnosis of Diabetes Mellitus 2022 – One-page cheat sheet that summarizes screening, risk status, and diagnostic criteria for diabetes. Great for your office and as a study tool.

Pharmacologic Approaches to Glycemic Treatment in 2022.  This hyperglycemia road map details strategies to achieve glucose control for both Type 1 and Type 2 Diabetes. Section 9 of Standards of Care, 2022

Language & Diabetes. 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.

Med Cheat Sheets 2022 | Hypertension, Lipids, and Neuropathy – 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.

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.

AACE Comprehensive Type 2 Diabetes Management Algorithm 2020.  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.

Landmark Studies – a short cheat sheets that highlights the major diabetes trials and the significant findings.

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