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A diabetes educator specializes in providing treatment and education to diabetic patients in clinical settings such as clinics or hospitals. To become a diabetes educator, gain practical experience as a physician, nurse, pharmacist, or other healthcare professional. Enhance your skills in counseling and lifestyle management for diabetes patients by obtaining official certification through either the American Association of Diabetes Educators or the National Certification Board for Diabetes Educators.
Key Steps
Meeting the Basic Criteria
Choose the Certification Program That Suits You: Consider whether you prefer certification from the American Association of Diabetes Educators (AADE) or the National Certification Board for Diabetes Educators (NCBDE). Both organizations offer reputable certifications with similar requirements.
- NCBDE certification focuses solely on education, while AADE’s Board Certified-Advanced Diabetes Management certification allows broader involvement, including research, mentoring, medication adjustments, and treatment of diabetes symptoms and complications.
- Your decision may be influenced by the cost and duration of the certification process. AADE certification tends to be more expensive and time-consuming compared to NCBDE certification.
- Although obtaining both certifications is not necessary, it may enhance your career prospects.
Gain Relevant Work Experience: Suitable positions include pharmacist, occupational or physical therapist, dietitian, nurse, or other medical professionals who provide diabetes self-management education (DSME) as part of their routine duties. Alternatively, possessing an advanced degree in a health-related field or concentration may also qualify you. DSME involves any activity by a healthcare professional aimed at helping patients with diabetes understand and manage their condition. For NCBDE certification, a minimum of two years' experience in the field and at least 1,000 hours of DSME experience within the last year, with at least 40% of these hours completed in the past year, is required. AADE certification, on the other hand, mandates 500 practice hours over the last four years. Volunteer experience with a medical agency or health clinic is acceptable for NCBDE certification. If you do not work in the field but still desire NCBDE certification, you must provide an official transcript of your advanced degree coursework and a copy of your academic degree. The remaining requirements are the same as those for traditional applicants.
Fulfill Continuing Education Requirements: While AADE certification has no continuing education requirement, NCBDE certification does. In addition to relevant work experience, you must complete at least 15 clock hours (not credit hours) of continuing education within the two years preceding your application submission. These courses must be provided by an organization or institution approved by the NCBDE. Unlike credit hours, clock hours are counted linearly. Various organizations, including the American Medical Association, the American Diabetes Association, and the American Association of Diabetes Educators, offer continuing education opportunities for diabetes educators. A comprehensive list of continuing education providers is available online at [link]. Continuing education activities must not involve volunteering, original research, poster sessions or exhibits, writing articles or books, or academic courses. Acceptable activities include approved online programs, conferences, workshops, seminars, and independent study courses.
Next Steps
Complete the Application: The most convenient way to apply for NCBDE certification is online. You will be directed to Psi/Amp's webpage, the company that administers the NCBDE certification test. The AADE application is also available online. If you prefer a paper NCBDE application, you can print one online. The document contains the handbook, which offers valuable information about the exam, and the application, located at the end. Mail the completed application to AMP, CDE Examination Application, 18000 W. 105th St., Olathe, KS 66061-7543. If applying through the Unique Pathway, which allows individuals without work experience but with an advanced medical degree to apply, complete the online application. Upon submitting your NCBDE application, you should receive an email confirming receipt almost immediately. For paper applications, expect written confirmation within four weeks. Contact Psi/Amp at (913) 895-4600 if your application hasn't been acknowledged within four weeks.
Consult Your Supervisor: Although formal documentation of your DSME hours isn't required for either certification program, you may be randomly selected for an experience audit. In such cases, your supervisor must provide written verification of your experience. Inform your supervisor of your intention to pursue NCBDE certification, so they understand if you request written verification of your work experience later. Depending on your role within the medical field, your supervisor may be a head nurse, physician, or another healthcare professional.
Submit the Payment: The initial certification fee for the NCBDE exam is $350, covering application processing and exam administration. Payment is required upon application submission. The AADE exam fee is higher, with AADE members paying $600 and non-members paying $900. An additional $150 fee applies for AADE exams conducted outside the U.S.
Select a Test Center: Once your application is approved, you'll receive instructions on choosing a test center location and time. If attending an in-person test is inconvenient, inquire about the possibility of taking an online proctored exam.
Becoming Certified
Prepare for the Exam: Various resources are available to assist with exam preparation. The NCBDE exam handbook appendix includes a comprehensive resource list, as does the AADE handbook. NCBDE handbook Appendix 3 outlines exam content broadly, while Appendix 5 offers suggested references for further study. Practice exams are available online for both certifications for additional preparation.
Take the Examination: Arrive early at the test center on your selected date. The NCBDE exam comprises 200 multiple-choice questions to be completed within four hours, while the AADE exam consists of 175 questions to be completed in three-and-a-half hours. Ensure you bring two forms of valid, government-issued photo identification and a printout of your test site details. Personal items such as phones, hats, and electronics are not permitted in the test center.
Check Your Results: AADE exam results are typically delivered via mail within six to eight weeks post-exam. NCBDE scores are presented as both raw and scaled scores. Raw scores indicate the percentage of correct answers out of 200 questions, while scaled scores are reported on a scale of 0 to 99, requiring a minimum of 70 to pass.
Renew Your Certification: Recertification for both NCBDE and AADE credentials is mandatory every five years. NCBDE recertification entails acquiring another 1,000 hours of DSME and maintaining the same position within the medical field. Alternatively, you can substitute the practice requirement with 75 clock hours of continuing education. Renewal reminders and procedures will be sent when certification nears expiration, with costs of $250 for NCBDE and $500 for AADE certification ($800 for non-members).
Utilize Your Certification: Your newfound credentials establish your expertise in DSME, potentially leading to salary advancements. Approach your employer discreetly to discuss potential financial benefits associated with your certification. Many professionals experience increased confidence, respect, and financial stability following certification.
