How to Become a Diabetes Educator

The 2011 National Diabetes Fact Sheet released by the American Diabetes Association estimates that 25.8 million people in the United States have diabetes. This growing epidemic affects both children and adults and can lead to life-threatening complications if left uncontrolled. A diabetes educator helps diabetics manage their disease through different self-management techniques. Nurses, doctors, pharmacists and dieticians often choose to seek special education requirements needed to become a certified diabetes educator.

1. Meet the minimum discipline requirements outlined by the National Certification Board for Diabetes Educators, NCBDE. Several different options exist to qualify applicants through their discipline. The applicant must hold an active, unrestricted license from the United States as a registered nurse, occupational therapist, physical therapist, physician, clinical psychologist, pharmacist or podiatrist.


2. Qualify as a dietician with an active license from the Commission on Dietetic Registration, or as a physician assistant with a National Commission on Certification of Physician Assistants active registration. Active registrations as an exercise specialist or physiologist also qualify applicants.


3. Professional social workers with a master’s degree in social work from an accredited college or university qualify to take the certification examination. A copy of an official transcript must be submitted with exam application.


4. Fulfill the minimum professional practice experience requirements needed to take the exam. Complete a minimum of two years of professional practice experience in the health profession listed on the application. Have a minimum of 1000 hours of Diabetic Self-Management Education, DSME, experience, with 400 hours accrued in the year preceding the application.


5. Undergo 15 hours of continuing education through seminars, lectures or classes within the two years preceding the application for diabetes educator certification.


6. Apply to take the diabetes educator certification examination. Complete the application form online through the National Certification Board for Diabetes Educators website or by requesting a hard copy through the mail. Submit an application and the $350 initial certification fee.


7. Schedule a time to take the examination at a designated testing center. The NCBDE offers the examination in two different windows, May to June and November to December. Scheduling an exam requires the applicant’s Social Security number, and desired date, time and location of exam.


8. Prepare for the exam by studying the handbook provided by the NCBDE at the time of application. Review topics such as diabetes care assessment, development of diabetes care plans, intervention methods and education program administration. Sample questions are available in the handbook.


9. Take the exam at the designated location. A computer will display the 200 multiple-choice questions. The test allows four hours for completion. Questions can be skipped and come back to later.


10. Wait for the results of the test. The NCBDE mails exam scores within eight weeks of testing. The test is scored by both a raw score and a scaled score. The applicant must achieve a minimum scaled score of 70 to pass. A certificate as a certified diabetes educator accommodates a passing score.


11. Renew the certification every five years to maintain the status as a Certified Diabetes Educator. Continuing education courses through the American Association of Diabetes Educators fulfills these requirements and expands knowledge and expertise.