Within recent weeks the state of Kentucky has passed, and the governor has signed, legislation that will require the licensure of diabetes educators who provide DSME/T services within the state. The NCBDE Board of Directors, in evaluating this legislation, has adopted the following policy statement on licensure:

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Statement on Licensure of Diabetes Educators

The National Certification Board for Diabetes Educators (NCBDE) believes that the provision of Diabetes Self-Management Education/Training (DSME/T) should be vested in health care professionals who have fulfilled requirements for NCBDE certification as Certified Diabetes Educators® (CDE®). Furthermore, NCBDE believes that a state which, in its wisdom, has determined a diabetes educator licensure law is necessary to protect the health and welfare of its citizens, should also embody similar requirements.

Therefore, should such licensure initiatives be undertaken by a state, the NCBDE will advocate that the law include the following:

• A licensed health care professional, providing DSME/T within his/her licensed scope of practice, may optionally obtain licensure but would not be required to do so.
• An applicant that holds a CDE® certification, in good standing, would automatically qualify for licensure.
• Educational requirements for non-licensed or non-certified applicants should include completion of diabetes education program(s) sponsored by any advanced academic or continuing education organization that meets state determined standards.
• All non-licensed or non-certified applicants should be required to successfully pass a psychometrically valid competency assessment examination.
• States should consider using existing voluntary certification processes, including administration of eligibility and psychometrically valid examination requirements, as the basis for issuing licenses.
• “Grandfathering” of current diabetes educators, may be necessary. However, such provisions should be time-limited.

NCBDE will serve as a resource for and provide assistance to local NCBDE-certified practitioner groups and national organizations who have undertaken organized efforts to seek state licensure requirements that include NCBDE credentialing standards as the basis for licensure. Assistance may include non-financial support such as written and/or verbal testimony given before state legislative bodies. Such support will be provided only by request and will be considered on a case-by-case basis by the NCBDE Board of Directors.

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Adopted April, 2011 – NCBDE

NCBDE has published its specific views of the Kentucky legislation on its website, click here to read those comments.

NCBDE has published a model diabetes educator licensure act, click here to learn more.