If you have the background and experience, earning the CDCES credential may be the right choice for you.

Become Certified

IMPORTANT NEWS

Application/Scheduling/Testing Blackout Period: To improve the candidate experience, CBDCE moved to a new application platform in early 2024. Because of that, there was an application and scheduling/testing blackout for part of the month of February. The platform did launch, but we are still doing quality control work on all of the related programming. If you encounter issues when trying to apply for the CDCES exam, please reach out to info@cbdce.org for assistance.


The 2024 CDCES Scholarship Program application window will be open through May 15, 2024. CBDCE established the scholarship program to support the journey for health professionals in the specialty and to encourage diversity in the pool of health professionals holding the CDCES credential. Learn more.

November 2023 Update: To address the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the ability of health professionals pursuing the CDCES credential to accrue practice experience in diabetes care and education (DCE), the CBDCE Board of Directors has approved moving the temporary changes to the professional practice requirement relating to DCE for initial certification to permanent state.  Learn more about what changed in our Pandemic Impact Certification Statement.

Pharmacist standing in front of shelves of medicine boxes and bottles

Join over 19,500 healthcare professionals who have validated their diabetes expertise by earning the Certified Diabetes Care and Education Specialist (CDCES) credential. RNs, NPs, RDNs, CNSs, PAs, PharmDs, MDs, and other health professionals hold the multi-disciplinary CDCES credential.  

CDCESs educate and support people affected by diabetes. They help people and their families​​​​​​
  • Understand and manage the condition
  • Achieve behavioral and treatment goals
  • Optimize health outcomes
​​​​The CDCES designation is for health professionals who possess comprehensive knowledge and experience in
  • Diabetes management
  • Prediabetes
  • Diabetes prevention 
Employers, healthcare providers, and people with diabetes look for the CDCES credential when working with a diabetes care and education specialist. The certification ensures you possess the skills and knowledge to deliver high-quality diabetes care and education. 

Why get CDCES-certified? Earning the CDCES credential will demonstrate your diabetes skills and expertise, show your commitment to excellence in patient care, help you to distinguish yourself among your peers, enhance career opportunities, and optimize the health outcomes of people living with diabetes. 

Are you a student interested in a career path in diabetes care and education? Please visit the CDCES Student Resources page. 
 

For an overview of the eligibility requirements, download the CDCES brochure and check out the videos and ADCES podcast below to learn more about the value of earning the CDCES certification.

Listen to the Association of Diabetes Care and Education Specialists' podcast "The Huddle" with CBDCE's CEO, Sheryl Traficano, on how to become a CDCES.  A special thank you to ADCES for this opportunity!

There are two pathways to certification. The vast majority of people qualify to follow the standard pathway.

Standard pathway

If you have one of the licenses, registrations or certifications included in the discipline requirements or a master’s degree in social work, you will follow the standard pathway.

Unique qualifications (UQ) pathway

The UQ pathway is for health professionals who are not eligible to follow the standard pathway. Most people do not take the UQ pathway.

Learn More

Am I qualified to earn the CDCES?

What do I need to do to get ready for the exam?

I have questions.