CDE Experience Requirements

Here are the current standards as published by the NCBDE. Best of luck in your professional pursuits!

Eligibility Requirements, Certification Info, Diabetes Education, Certification, Examination | NCBDE

Definition of Diabetes Self-Management Education (DSME) - 2015

DSME is performed by health professionals who have appropriate credentials and experience consistent with the particular profession's scope of practice. It involves the person with prediabetes 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. For purposes of this web site, diabetes self-management education (DSME) is used.

It is a component of a comprehensive plan of diabetes care. The process incorporates the needs, goals and life experiences of the person with prediabetes 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.

For purposes of certification eligibility, some or all of the following components of the DSME process may be performed and counted towards meeting the DSME practice experience requirement:

• An individual assessment and education plan developed collaboratively by the individual and educator(s) to direct the selection of appropriate educational interventions and self-management support strategies.
  
• Educational interventions directed toward helping the individual achieve self-management goals.
  
• Periodic evaluations to determine attainment of educational objectives or need for additional interventions and future reassessments.
  
• A personalized follow-up plan developed collaboratively by the individual and educator(s) for ongoing self-management support.
  
• Documentation in the education record of the assessment and education plan and the intervention and outcomes.
  

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

Note: Regardless of discipline, knowledge (and the ability to apply that knowledge) is necessary across all areas of the examination content outline.

±Adapted from National Standards for Diabetes Self-Management Education and Support, American Diabetes Association Clinical Practice Recommendations. Diabetes Care, Vol. 37, Supplement 1, January 2014.

Click here to download‡ the informational brochure for the 2015 Examinations.

[h=2]Eligibility Requirements for Initial Certification 2015[/h]For a diabetes educator who has not previously taken or passed the Examination or whose CDE® credentials expired prior to 12/31/2010, it will be necessary to complete a number of requirements prior to sitting for the Examination. An overview of requirements is shown below:

1) Meet the discipline/licensure requirement; then

2) obtain minimum professional practice experience providing DSME; as well as

3) obtain minimum continuing education hours; and lastly

4) apply and pay the application fee.

Click here for the details on the discipline requirement.

Click here for the details on the professional practice experience requirement.

Click here for the details on the continuing education hour requirement.

Click here to review the fee information.

~WindyCDE