“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

• Plan on reading one Standard a week, highlighting key content areas – you CAN do it!
• Review the most challenging Standards several times to allow the content to sink in.
• Provide a short in-service on an aspect of a Standard you found particularly difficult.
• Consider registering for the Level 2 – ADA Standards Online Series, where Coach Beverly breaks down the critical content to help you focus your limited study time.
• Create old-fashioned flashcards and quiz yourself while walking.

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:

1. New medical advances, guidelines, or pharmaceuticals impacting diabetes care and education and/or treatment of diabetes will be included in the Certification Examination for Diabetes Care and Education Specialists no sooner than one year after the information is released.
2. New diagnostic criteria or specific guidelines impacting diabetes care and education and/or treatment of diabetes which are released nationally and identified as effective immediately may be included in the examination at any time.

Resources to help Prepare for CDCES Exam

• Join our annual ADA Standards of Care | 2.0 CEs Update on February 1, 2024!
• CDCES Coach App – Which includes the ADA Standards of Care, quizzes and lot so of FREE info.
• Level 2 | Standards of Care Intensive | 20+ CEs –
• Prep for CDCES Exam Resource Page

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Accreditation: Diabetes Education Services is an approved provider by the California Board of Registered Nursing, Provider 12640, and our CPEU courses have received Prior Approval* from the Commission of Dietetic Registration (CDR), Provider DI002. Since our CPEU courses received Prior approval* from the CDR, these CPEU courses satisfy the CE requirements for the CDCES /BC-ADM regardless of your profession! 

The use of DES products does not guarantee the successful passage of the certification exam. CBDCE and ADCES do not endorse any preparatory or review materials for the CDCES or BC-ADM exams, except for those published by CBDCE & ADCES.