CDCES Prepare

Review

Review the exam content outline (ECO) and use it to assess your readiness. The ECO will help you identify any potential knowledge gaps.

Important Notice: A practice analysis was completed in 2023 and as a result the ECO changed effective July 1, 2024. The ECO can be accessed via the button below or found in the Exam Handbook.

When doing the self-assessment, focus on areas that fall outside your day to-day experiences in your current practice setting.

Examples

For example, Jane typically partners with adults with type 2 diabetes, so she’d want to review the ECO thinking about a patient population that falls outside of her current one, e.g., conduct the self-assessment considering how a pediatric population with type 1 or type 2 diabetes or gestational diabetes might be different and where that might help identify areas of study.

Or, if you are a registered dietitian nutritionist, you may also want focus on areas that might be outside the usual scope of your discipline. For example, Diane, a registered dietitian nutritionist, might look over the ECO looking for nursing- or pharmacist-focused tasks or Erin, a pharmacist, might look at dietetic or nursing-focused tasks.

For topics that you’d like to focus on, you might want to consider finding a continuing education activity or other resource that will meet your needs. CBDCE does not offer courses or test preparation materials, other than the practice exam. For a list of exam preparation resources, review the Exam Handbook .

Exam Handbook

Review the Exam Handbook, which includes:
  • ​​​​​Exam Content Outline
  • Information on studying
  • Sample questions
  • Resources
  • Policy on when new information can be tested
Take the optional practice exam (cost: $55) to increase your confidence on exam day. You can learn more details about it in the Exam Handbook. The practice exam is NOT a requirement for certification. See disclaimer* below for additional information. 

The practice exam allows you to:
  • Practice using the time allotted in relation to the full exam
  • Understand how questions are structured and formatted
  • See how the exam will look on the screen and how to move through the exam questions
Note: Clicking the Purchase the Practice Exam Link will redirect you to the PSI website to purchase the product.

Study Tips

To do your best on the exam, you should work on developing effective study strategies:
  • Establish a timetable to focus your study efforts.
  • Set a modest amount of time aside each day to study rather than study for several hours at a time.
  • Form a study group with other health professionals providing diabetes education in your area.
  • Network with interdisciplinary diabetes care and education specialists at your organization or at local and/or state diabetes group meetings.
  • Partner with another health professional and spend time with them when they are providing DSMES. 
  • Watch exam tips video.
     

*Disclaimer

CBDCE does not require, provide, accredit, or endorse any specific study guides, training or review courses, or other examination preparation products. The CBDCE practice exam is developed independently from the certification exam and is not a requirement for certification. CBDCE and its subject matter experts do not have involvement in the creation, accreditation, approval, endorsement or delivery of examination review courses, preparatory materials, educational programs, or training programs/products that prepare candidates for the certification examination. Neither CBDCE Board of Directors nor subject matter experts may counsel or provide assistance to organizations developing the content for review courses or materials. Continuing education credits are not awarded by the CBDCE.