IN THE NEWS

Summary of the 2010 Certification Examinations and Renewal of Certification by Continuing Education

 

03/28/2011

 

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 — 2010

A total of 1,960 candidates took the Examination, 874 in the spring and 1,086 in the fall. Of the total, 64% took the examination for the first time, 22% had previously taken the examination, but had not passed, 6% were previously certified individuals whose credentials had lapsed, and 8% renewed certification status.

Pass/Fail Statistics

Spring 2010 Total Pass Fail
Candidates writing the examination for the first time 557 68.94% 31.06%
Candidates renewing certification by examination 37 94.59% 5.41%
Candidates with lapsed credentials (lapsed 2009) 57 91.23% 8.77%
Candidates with lapsed credentials (lapsed prior to 2009) 17 82.35% 17.65%
Candidates repeating due to unsuccessful previous attempt(s) 206 50.49% 49.51%
Total Candidates Spring Administration 874 67.39% 32.61%
Fall 2010 Total Pass Fail
Candidates writing the examination for the first time 700 68.43% 31.57%
Candidates renewing certification by examination 126 92.86% 7.14%
Candidates with lapsed credentials (lapsed 2009) 19 94.74% 5.26%
Candidates with lapsed credentials (lapsed prior to 2009) 17 52.94% 47.06%
Candidates repeating due to unsuccessful previous attempt(s) 224 41.52% 58.48%
Total Candidates Fall Administration 1086 65.93% 34.07%

2010 Renewal of Certification by Continuing Education

Renewal by continuing education in 2010 required that CDEs hold the license or registration for the same discipline held at the time of initial certification and a) meet the renewal practice requirement of 1000 hours of professional practice during the five year, and b) earn 75 hours of continuing education in content areas applicable to diabetes during the five year certification cycle. For those CDEs who meet the practice experience requirement, the renewal by continuing education option may be used each time recertification is due. A CDE who cannot document meeting the practice requirement must sit for the Examination, and include documentation they have earned the required hours of continuing education at the time of application for the Examination.

This year was the first time that individuals were offered more than two application deadlines and, also, that continuing education (and practice) hours could be accrued past September 15. In the past, all continuing education hours had to have been accrued by September 15 of the renewal year, even if choosing the later October 15 deadline date. Deadlines available included a regular deadline of September 15, extended deadline of October 15, and a late deadline of December 15. The late deadline option required that documentation verifying the continuing education activities be submitted with the application.

Just over 2,271 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 17,073 credentialed CDE health care providers as of January 1, 2011.

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.