Eligibility Requirements

11/16/2011

General Information

The Certification Examination for Diabetes Educators is designed and intended solely for health care professionals who who have job responsibilities that include the direct provision of diabetes self-management education (DSME), as defined by NCBDE. It is not for those who may perform some diabetes related functions as part of or in the course of other usual and customary occupational duties (See definition of diabetes education below).

Definition of Diabetes Self-Management Education (DSME) - 2012

Diabetes education, also referred to as diabetes self-management education or diabetes self-management training is performed by health care professionals who have appropriate credentials and experience consistent with the particular profession’s scope of practice. For purposes of this web site, diabetes self-management education (DSME) is used.

DSME± involves the person with pre-diabetes or diabetes and/or the caregivers and the educator(s) and is defined as the ongoing process of facilitating the knowledge, skill, and ability necessary for self-care. It is a component of a comprehensive plan of diabetes care. The process incorporates the needs, goals and life experiences of the person with pre-diabetes or diabetes and is guided by evidence-based standards. The overall objectives of DSME are to support informed decision-making, self-care behaviors, problem-solving and active collaboration with the health care team and to improve clinical outcomes, health status, and quality of life. The process includes:

In addition, program development and administration provided in support of the diabetes patient education program are considered part of the DSME process.

±Adapted from National Standards for Diabetes Self-Management Education, American Diabetes Association Clinical Practice Recommendations. Diabetes Care, Vol. 34, Supplement 1, January, 2011.

Click here to download‡ the informational brochure for the 2012 Examinations.

Eligibility Requirements for Initial Certification 2012

Individuals who have not previously taken or passed the Examination or whose CDE® credentials lapsed prior to 12/31/2011 must meet the requirements.

Note: Individuals applying with qualifying advanced degree (1.C. below) are required to use the paper application method and official transcripts must be submitted with the application. Applicants meeting discipline requirement 1.A. or 1.B. may apply using either the on-line application process or submitting a paper application. Click here for application information.

To qualify for the Examination, the following requirements must be met at the time of application and Examination:

  1. Discipline
    1. Clinical psychologist, registered nurse, occupational therapist, optometrist, pharmacist, physical therapist, physician (M.D. or D.O.), or podiatrist holding a current, active, unrestricted license from the United States or its territories.

      OR

    2. Dietitian holding active registration with the Commission on Dietetic Registration, physician assistant holding active registration with the National Commission on Certification of Physician Assistants, exercise specialist holding active certification as an American College of Sports Medicine Certified Clinical Exercise Specialist®, or exercise physiologist holding active certification as an American College of Sports Medicine Registered Clinical Exercise Physiologist®.

      OR

    3. Health care professional with a minimum of a master's degree* in social work from a United States college or university accredited by a nationally recognized regional accrediting body.

      4. * To verify the program of study specific to social work, an official transcript that indicates that the advanced degree in social work was awarded must be submitted with the Application for the Examination.

  1. Professional Practice Experience

    After meeting the Discipline requirement and before applying for the Examination, both of the following requirements must be met:

    1. Minimum of two (2) years to the day of professional practice experience in the discipline under which the individual is applying for certification (examples: if an individual applies for certification as a registered nurse, 2 years experience working as a registered nurse is required; if an individual applies as a registered dietitian, 2 years experience working as a registered dietitian is required).

      AND

    2. Minimum of 1000 hours of DSME experience with a minimum of 40% of those hours (400 hours) accrued in the most recent year preceding application. (See definition of DSME)

    In meeting the hourly requirement**, professional practice experience is defined as employment for compensation (in the United States or its territories within the past 4 years) for job responsibilities that include the direct provision of DSME, as defined by NCBDE.

    **Exception: Qualifying hours accrued under the Diabetes Educator Mentorship Program will also be accepted.

     
  2. Continuing Education

After meeting the Discipline requirement and before applying for the Examination, the following requirement must be met:

Minimum of 15 clock hours of continuing education activities applicable to diabetes within the two (2) years prior to applying for certification.

This requirement will follow the same overall guidelines as renewal of certification by continuing education.

      4.    Application Fee(s) Payment

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