IN THE NEWS

Summary of the 2009 Certification Examinations and Renewal of Certification by Continuing Education

 

03/26/2010

 

Through the development, maintenance and protection of the certification process and the Certified Diabetes Educator® ("CDE" ®) credential, the National Certification Board for Diabetes Educators ("NCBDE") recognizes and advances the specialty practice of diabetes education. This is the mission of NCBDE.

To inform the public, potential candidates, and those currently certified, NCBDE each year publishes a summary of the results of the certification examinations (Examinations) administered the previous year, and the results of renewal of certification by continuing education, available since 2005.


Certification Examination for Diabetes Educators — 2009

In 2009, a number of changes to the application/Examination process were made. The changes included  a significant reduction in the documentation required to apply for the Examination. As a consequence, NCBDE was able to develop an online application process, expand the length of the application window (from 6 weeks to 8 weeks), and move the deadline date much closer to the first Examination administration date. In addition, the Examination which, in the past, had only been administered by paper/pencil was administered via computer for the first time. The change to computer-based testing (CBT) allowed NCBDE the ability to provide individuals with much more flexibility in both when and where they wished to take the Examination. Spring and fall Examinations were administered in windows (May to June and November to December respectively), rather than being given on only one day for each administration. The number of places available for individuals to take the Examinations were also greatly expanded with the CBT process (approximately 170 Assessment Centers versus 52 or so paper/pencil locations). In addition, beginning with the 2nd administration of the exam in 2009 and for the next several years, applicants were/will be able to obtain their scores immediately after completing their exams.

A new Examination Content Outline was also implemented beginning with the 2009 Examinations reflecting the results of a 2008 practice analysis, which surveyed Certified Diabetes Educators about the tasks they performed. Questions on the Examination are linked directly to a task or tasks. Each question, therefore, is designed to test if the candidate possesses the knowledge necessary to perform the task or has the ability to apply it to a job situation.

A total of 2,112 candidates took the Examination, 920 in the spring and 1,192 in the fall. Of the total, 66.6% took the examination for the first time, 14.1% had previously taken the examination, but had not passed, 5.3% were previously certified individuals whose credentials had lapsed, and 14% renewed certification status.

Pass/Fail Statistics

Spring 2009 Total Pass Fail
Candidates writing the examination for the first time 662 68.58% 31.42%
Candidates renewing certification by examination 75 96.00% 4.00%
Candidates with lapsed credentials (lapsed 2008) 50 94.00% 6.00%
Candidates with lapsed credentials (lapsed prior to 2008) 18 77.78% 22.22%
Candidates repeating due to unsuccessful previous attempt(s) 115 29.57% 70.43%
Total Candidates Spring Administration 920 67.50% 32.50%
Fall 2009 Total Pass Fail
Candidates writing the examination for the first time 744 69.35% 30.65%
Candidates renewing certification by examination 222 88.74% 11.26%
Candidates with lapsed credentials (lapsed 2008) 19 78.95% 21.05%
Candidates with lapsed credentials (lapsed prior to 2008) 25 88.00% 12.00%
Candidates repeating due to unsuccessful previous attempt(s) 182 39.56% 60.44%
Total Candidates Fall Administration 1192 68.96% 31.04%

2009 Renewal of Certification by Continuing Education

Renewal by continuing education in 2009 required that CDEs hold the license or registration for the same discipline held at the time of initial certification and earn 75 hours of continuing education in content areas applicable to diabetes during the five year certification cycle. The renewal by continuing education option may be used each time recertification is due, provided the CDE meets all current eligibility.

Implementation of the plan on a prorated basis required that CDEs whose credentials had an expiration date of 12/31/2009 had to complete 75 hours of approved continuing education during their applicable accrual window with an application deadline date of September 15, 2009. Just over 2,270 CDEs submitted applications for renewal of certification by continuing education; more than 99% successfully completed the process.

NCBDE

NCBDE was established in 1986 to promote the interests of diabetes educators and the public at large by granting certification to qualified health care professionals involved in teaching persons with diabetes through the establishment of eligibility requirements and development of a written examination. When the first examination was offered in 1986, 1,248 health care providers successfully completed the certification process to become the inaugural group of CDEs. The NCBDE certification process is a voluntary testing program used to assess the qualified health care professional's knowledge in diabetes self-management education. There were 16,604 credentialed CDE health care providers as of January 1, 2010.

CDE® Credential

The credential demonstrates to people with diabetes, employers, and third party payers that the Certified Diabetes Educator possesses distinct and specialized knowledge, thereby promoting quality of care for patients with diabetes. This certification has become the recognized standard for competence in diabetes self-management education. As the number of individuals diagnosed with diabetes continues to increase, it is important for them to have access to the services of Certified Diabetes Educators. NCBDE is committed to maintaining the quality and integrity of the CDE credential.