Apply and Schedule

BE Ready
Exam applications are taken on a year-round basis but don't apply until you’re ready to take the test. You’ll have to take the exam no later than 90 days from the date your application is approved.  Are you ready to apply? Click the "Apply for the Examination" button below.

IMPORTANT TESTING SITE INFORMATION 

For those individuals currently scheduled, we encourage candidates to check their emails and voice mails often in order to review communications regarding last-minute updates regarding their scheduled test date. If you have questions on your testing date or site, please contact PSI at 833-333-4754. PSI customer service is available Monday through Thursday from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m.; 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. on Friday; and 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. on Saturday (all times Central Time). Peak times are during the lunch time and at end of day. Please note that there may be higher than normal response times and thank you for your patience and understanding during these times.

You can also check your exam information in the test taker portal. To access, log into your CBDCE account > Get Certified > Details in the exam application > Schedule Your Exam > where you will be redirected to the test taker portal for your exam details. 

Looking for information on how to launch your LRP exam? You will launch your LRP exam from your CBDCE account. Login to your CBDCE dashboard > click on get certified > schedule exam > you will be redirected to the PSI test taker portal to launch your exam. 

Looking for the test center locations? Visit the CBDCE test center webpage for test center locations

Ready to apply for the CDCES Examination?  You will first need to create an account with CBDCE. Click the "Apply for the Examination" button below to create your CDCES account.
 

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Apply and Schedule

Once all the eligibility requirements are met and you are ready to test, it’s time to apply for the exam.

Effective March 1, 2024  you will apply for the CDCES Exam through CBDCE but will first need to create an account with CBDCE.

To apply under the STANDARD Pathway: Create your CBDCE account > click on Get Certified > Create New Application > continue through each page of the application and into the shopping cart to application submittal and payment.

To apply under the Unique Qualifications Pathway (UQP): Create your CBDCE account > top navigation bar, select Initial Application - Unique Pathway Application > Create New Application > review instructions and upload your UQP application documents. 
 
If you apply online, notification of approval to take the exam or that you have been selected for audit is provided at the time of application. Before you can complete the application process, you’ll need to pay the application fee. The fee for initial certification is $350.

Effective with March 1, 2024: If approved, you will be emailed an eligibility confirmation notice which includes the 90-day window during which you’ll need to schedule and take your exam. Keep it handy. There's a lot of important and valuable information in it.  Once you’ve got the confirmation notice, you can schedule your exam through your CBDCE account that you created. Because appointments are assigned on a first-come, first-served basis, you will want to schedule your exam appointment as quickly as possible after approval in order to have the most flexibility.

To schedule your exam, you can do so, easily, in your CBDCE account. Log into your CBDCE account, click on "Get Certified" > click on "details" in the application > click on Schedule Exam > you will be redirected to the PSI test taker portal to schedule your exam.  Please be mindful of the  required timeframes for rescheduling as some fees may apply. 

Apply here

For full details, review the
Exam Handbook

If you're pursuing the Unique Qualifications Pathway

Just a reminder: You’ll need to be pre-approved and follow the UQ process.

Requests for Special Accommodations

Individuals with documented disabilities or qualifying medical conditions needing special accommodations for the exam are required to submit a Request for Special Accommodations and the Documentation of Disability-Related Needs form along with your application. You will submit your accommodation request when you apply for the exam so you will want to make sure you have all the appropriate forms completed and ready to upload in your application. Additionally, requests must be made prior to scheduling your exam appointment.

Refer to the Exam Handbook for  information about the process and to access the forms. (Exception: Comfort items that appear on the Pre-Approved Comfort Aids list--refer to Comfort Items and Accommodations below.) 
 

You will be notified once your accommodation has been approved. After approval of your accommodation, you will need to complete an online form through the PSI website to schedule your exam. This form will identify the type of request as well as desired dates, times, and modality or test center locations. This online form is set up to streamline the process to create fewer back and forth emails. Need assistance with your special accommodation? Contact the PSI special accommodations team at 1-800-367-1565 Ext. 6750.

Comfort Items and Accommodations:
Effective May 2023, test takers no longer need to formally request testing accommodations for items that fall on the "Pre-Approved Comfort Aids" list (List). This List includes specific medicine and medical devices including those attached to a person's body, communication aids, mobility devices, and service animals. Test Center Administrators and online proctors will perform an inspection of the aids prior to testing. Also note if an approved medical device makes alert noises, it must be able to be silenced. If the medical device is not able to be silence, a formal special accommodation request must be provided. Take a moment to review the List to see if your accommodation falls within the listing. 

Live Remote Proctoring

Testing via Live Remote Proctoring (LRP)

Candidates have the option of taking the CDCES exam by either testing at a PSI Test Center or testing by Live Remote Proctoring (LRP). 

Testing via Live Remote Proctoring (LRP) allows a candidates to test using their own computer from their home. The candidate must have a computer that meets the requirements for the LRP. 
 
You can view the system (computer/hardware/software) requirements
for testing LRP HERE.

We do not recommend the use of a work computer for testing LRP but if you do, you MUST have administrative rights to disable firewalls to download the testing platform. The compatibility test does NOT test for administrative rights. Reschedules and refunds are NOT available to test takers whose computers (work or personal)/internet DO NOT meet the platform requirements. 

If you are thinking about taking your exam via LRP, candidates need to review the requirements for LRP testing as they differ from testing at a test center. Review the Guide to LRP below to learn more about testing this modality. 

Candidates should thoroughly review the information on testing choices in the CBDCE Examination Handbook and the Guide to Live Remote Proctoring to determine which option is best for them.

Watch PSI online proctored tutorial to assist and prepare you by simulating the essential checks, offering crucial artifacts and acquainting you with the examination environment prior to your actual test and visit PSI's video on what to expect in a LRP environment. 

 

Launching your LRP Exam

You will launch your exam from your account from your CBDCE account. Visit www.cbdce.org  to log in. Once you have login to your CBDCE account, you can access (launch) the exam either through your CBDCE account or go directly to the PSI test taker portal:
 
  • To launch through your CBDCE account > log into your CBDCE account > click on Get Certified > click on ‘details’ in the application > click on Schedule Exam > you will be redirected to the PSI test taker portal where you will launch your exam.

  • To launch through the PSI test taker portal > Go to the PSI test taker portal -- here is a direct link to the test taker portal: https://test-takers.psiexams.com/cbdce/auth/login. Once at that link, you will see a login screen for CBDCE > Enter your CBDCE account user name and password > will redirect to the PSI test taker portal to launch your exam.

Testing Via Live Remote Proctoring?
 
  • Don't wait until the last minute to figure out your computer situation or to locate your account login information. 
  • Again-- if you use a work computer and are unable to download the program, you will be marked as absent/missed exam and will NOT be eligible to reschedule or receive a refund of your fees. 
  • Run your compatibility test to make sure that the computer you are testing on is compatible with the PSI testing environment. Reminder that if you will be using a work computer, you must have administrative rights to download the exam platform. The compatibility test does NOT test for administrative rights
  • You will launch your CDCES exam from your CBDCE account. Be sure you have you login information handy so there are no issues when logging in to take your exam. You may even want to login to your CBDCE account a day or two before to ensure no login trouble on your exam day. 
  • Thoroughly review:

Audits

A percentage of applications are selected for audit. You will know upon submission of your application if you were selected for an audit. If selected, you will need to submit appropriate documentation supporting eligibility. The necessary documentation must be received/uploaded within two (2) weeks of audit notification.

Individuals selected for audit will need to gather the documents and upload in their CBDCE account. Documents required are: ​​​​​​​​​​​​​​
1. Proof of active, unrestricted license, registration, or advanced degree in social work to verify your discipline eligibility
​​​​​​​2. ​​Verification of Professional Practice and DCE Experience Form(s) - Completed and signed (by supervisor)

3. Proof of continuing Education (CE) activities (certificates of completion)

​​​​​​Review the audit documents for more information and instructions on uploading in your CBDCE account.
 

Paper Applications 

Our applications have gone online. For questions contact us at info@cbdce.org. 

CBDCE
1340 Remington Rd, Suite J
Schaumburg, IL 60173
Phone: 847-228-9795
Email: info@cbdce.org

 

About the Exam


Those individuals who will be taking the exam from July 1, 2024 and forward the examination is a computer-based examination composed of 175 multiple-choice questions, objective questions given over a total testing time of four (4) hours. Twenty-five of the 175 questions are new pre-test questions that allow CBDCE to collect meaningful statistics on but are not included in the determination of individual Examination score. These pre-test questions are not idetified separately and are scattered throughout the examination. 

Final To Do List 

  • Put the test date, time, and location on your calendar.
  • Testing at a Center? Check the location of the testing center and take a drive by before your appointment. Watch the video provided by PSI/AMP, CBDCE’s testing agency. It offers useful information and details about the exam appointment day and test center procedures.
  • Testing by LRP? Review CBDCEs Guide to LRP. Do one last computer compatibility check on the computer you will be testing on. You can launch your LRP exam from your PSI account, once logged in click on "Launch Exam" link (which will be available 30 minutes prior to your exam time).​​​​​ Watch the video provided by PSI, CBDCE's testing agency for what to expect when taking an exam via LRP.
  • And last but not least, get a good night’s sleep before your exam appointment!