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Interested In Certification FAQs
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- Why doesn't NCBDE provide review courses or publish a study guide?
- Are there professional practice experiences that are not considered diabetes education?
- Who is eligible for certification as a diabetes educator?
- What is diabetes self-management education?
- Is there a maximum number of hours per week that may be claimed as diabetes self-management education?
- How long is certification valid?
- When will I hear about the status of my application for the Examination?
- Where can I find information on the Board Certified-Advanced Diabetes Management ("BC-ADM") certification?
Why doesn't NCBDE provide review courses or publish a study guide?
As outlined in its Articles of Incorporation and mission statement, NCBDE's responsibilities do not include the creation or development of educational courses or materials. NCBDE believes that offering preparation courses or study materials would constitute a conflict of interest and could imply a guarantee of passing.
Are there professional practice experiences that are not considered diabetes education?
There are activities that are not considered diabetes education employment for purposes of certification eligibility and should not be included as part of Professional Practice Experience. While not an exhaustive list, the following are examples of such activities:
- diabetes related functions performed as part of or in the course of other routine occupational duties (e.g., routine nursing care, routine nutritional counseling, routine pharmacy practice)
- providing continuing education to professionals (e.g., teaching nurses, physicians)
- supervising and managing other professionals
- volunteer activities, including diabetes camp
- any experience in a student capacity
- membership and committee work in professional organizations
- providing medical assessment, diagnosis, or treatment
- conducting/participating in research activities in which the individual is not involved in diabetes self-management education
- dispensing/prescribing medications or diabetes supplies
- promoting or selling medications or diabetes supplies and products
- employment by manufacturers of diabetes products and/or product services (e.g., insulin delivery devices)
- having diabetes or caring for a family member with diabetes
- any work or other experience prior to receipt of license, registration, or advanced degree required for certification eligibility
- any work experience in practice settings outside the United States or its territories
- any work experience completed more than five years prior to the date of application
- any diabetes educator job in which diabetes self-management education is performed less than 4 hours per week
- employment in one or more concurrent part-time diabetes educator jobs in which diabetes self-management education is performed less than 4 hours per week in each job
Who is eligible for certification as a diabetes educator?
The Examination is designed and intended for the professional who has a defined role as a diabetes educator, not for those who may perform some diabetes related functions as part of or in the course of other routine occupational duties. Specific eligibility requirements can be found in the Certification Handbook or on this site.
What is diabetes self-management education?
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 is defined as the ongoing process of facilitating the knowledge, skill, and ability necessary for diabetes self-care. This process incorporates the needs, goals and life experiences of the person with 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‡.
‡National Standards for Diabetes Self-Management Education. American Diabetes Association. Diabetes Care, Vol. 30, No. 6, June, 2007.
Is there a maximum number of hours per week that may be claimed as diabetes self-management education?
Yes, NCBDE has determined that 40 is the maximum number of hours per week in diabetes self-management education that may be reported when applying for certification. However, regardless of the number of hours per week worked, it is important that the diabetes educator claim only time spent performing diabetes self-management education. As in any job, there is a certain amount of time not dedicated to primary responsibilities. Teaching other health care professionals, completing administrative duties, planning for a class, conducting a community health fair screening, are a few examples of other responsibilities that may be not be counted toward meeting professional practice requirements. Other examples are identified under the following FAQ: Are there professional practice experiences that are not considered diabetes education?
How long is certification valid?
NCBDE requires all CDEs to renew certification every five (5) years. It is the responsibility of the individual certificant to keep abreast of any changes in certification and/or renewal requirements. Valid dates of the credential should be monitored and applications for renewal submitted by published deadlines. Extensions of certification are NOT granted.
When will I hear about the status of my application for the Examination?
See Exam Application Status page
Where can I find information on the Board Certified-Advanced Diabetes Management ("BC-ADM") certification?
NCBDE does not administer or manage the BC-ADM certification program. It is jointly sponsored by the American Association of Diabetes Educators (“AADE”) and the American Nurses Credentialing Center. For further information, visit AADE's web site (www.diabeteseducator.org).