The BC-ADM Certification is evolving
The BC-ADM certification is evolving to reflect the latest clinical competencies and advanced clinical expertise of those who hold the certification. CBDCE is committed to maintaining rigorous standards that support excellence in advanced diabetes management and prevention, as advances in technology, pharmacotherapy, and clinical guidelines continue to rapidly reshape diabetes care.
How is the BC-ADM Certification changing?
The upcoming enhancements to BC-ADM include updates to eligibility requirements, exam content and renewal timelines. These changes will ensure the credential remains current and relevant to today's advanced diabetes care environment.
Important for Current BC-ADMs:
Updates to eligibility requirements apply only to new applicants beginning in January 2027. All current BC-ADM certificants will be grandparented in perpetuity as long as they maintain an active certification status and meet renewal requirements.
Eligibility Changes
The updated BC-ADM eligibility requirements are designed to reflect the advanced clinical expertise and decision-making responsibilities of qualified diabetes care professionals.
To qualify for a new BC-ADM certification, applicants must comprehensively manage the clinical care of individuals living with diabetes, including but not limited to:
- Complex therapeutic decision-making
- Prescribing and adjusting medication
- Monitoring acute and chronic complications and other comorbidities
- Managing diabetes within the context of overall patient care
Eligible Licenses and Credentials
The BC-ADM certification is intended for health care professionals who serve as prescribers and clinical decision-makers in diabetes care. Qualified candidates must meet the requirements in one of the two categories below. Note, the Professional practice experience requirement of 500 hours will remain unchanged for all applicants.
Category 1: Physicians and Advanced Practice Providers |
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Applicants qualify if they hold one of the following active licenses or credentials:
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Category 2: Advanced Practice nurses, pharmacists and dietitians in clinical decision-making rolesCBDCE recognizes that additional diabetes care professionals serve in advanced clinical decision-making roles, particularly in rural or underserved communities. Applicants qualify if they meet all three of the following requirements: |
A. Hold one of the following licenses or credentials:
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B. Hold an advanced degree
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C. Authorized to clinically manage diabetes care as documented through:
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International ApplicantsInternational applicants may qualify if they hold a legally recognized equivalent to an MD, DO, NP, PA, or RPh PharmD. license in the country where they practice diabetes care. These changes apply to new international BC-ADM applicants. Current international BC-ADM certificate holders will retain their BC-ADM certification in perpetuity as long as they maintain their renewal requirements. |
Exam Content Changes
The examination will be updated to reflect the healthcare community’s current standards of evidence-based clinical practice in diabetes care. The content will focus primarily on complex clinical management in the care of people living with diabetes to reflect the advanced clinical expertise of those for whom the BC-ADM is intended.
An updated education content outline will be available by the end of 2026. The content will be updated for the June 2027 exam.
Renewal Cycle Changes
As diabetes care continues to advance, CBDCE is evolving the renewal cycle for all its certification programs from five years to three years to better support certificants throughout their professional journey.
The diabetes care landscape is changing at an unprecedented pace with new technologies and pharmacotherapies, and clinical guidlines are emerging faster than traditional certification cycles were designed to accomodate. To remain credible and aligned with public expectations and industry standards, the CDCES and BC-ADM credentials must reflect this rapid pace of change.
Research on continuing certification shows that shorter cycles are increasingly being adopted across specialties to promote continuous learning, reinforce competency, and maintain public confidence in specialty credentials. More frequent renewal cycles support the credibility of both CDCES and BC-ADM holders by ensuring practitioners remain current and apply the latest evidence-based practices.
What's Changing?
Renewal Cycle
The BC-ADM renewal cycle will move from:
- 5 years → 3 years
Practice hours
Updated practice requirements will shift from:
- 1,000 hours over 5 years → 600 hours over 3 years
Continuing Eduation
Requirements will change from:
- 75 diabetes-specific CE hours → 45 diabetes-specific CE hours
ADA Standards of Care Requirement, renewal pathway, renewal fee and renewal window will remain unchanged.
FAQs
Why are these changes being implemented now?
In 2025, the BC-ADM transitioned from ADCES to CBDCE. As part of their 2026 strategic priorities, CBDCE made it a priority to integrate the BC-ADM into the CBDCE portfolio. Based on findings from a market analysis, there is a clear and immediate need to delineate the value and purpose of the BC-ADM and CDCES certifications. Addressing this now ensures that candidates, employers, and healthcare systems can make informed decisions about which credential best meets their needs. With the transition to CBDCE and the diabetes care field continuing to evolve rapidly, the Board determined that acting now is essential to ensure both certifications retain their value.
When will the new BC-ADM requirements take effect?
- Eligibility requirements. The updated BC-ADM eligibility requirements will take effect January 1, 2027 for new BC-ADM applicants. All individuals who complete and pass the exam prior to 2027 will be automatically grandparented.
- Exam content. The exam in its current form will be offered for the last time in December 2026. The updated exam will be offered beginning with the June 2027 testing window.
- Renewal cycle. The updated renewal cycle will take effect for new applicants as of January 1, 2027. All current certificants will renew on the stated expiration date of their certification as originally scheduled, and all renewal requirements will remain the same through the remainder of their current cycle.
- If your current term expires in 2026 or 2027 you will have one more iteration of a 5-year renewal before switching to a 3-year renewal cycle.
- If your current term expires in 2028 or later you will be automatically transitioned to a 3-year renewal after you have met your current renewal requirements.
Will the renewal fee change?
No. The BC-ADM renewal fee will remain unchanged at $500.
Will renewal still require continuing education?
Yes. Continuing education will remain part of the renewal process, though the required CE hours will be adjusted proportionally to align with the new three-year renewal cycle.
Will the Professional Development renewal pathway remain available?
Yes. The Professional Development renewal pathway will remain unchanged.
Will international applicants still be eligible?
International applicants may still qualify under Pathway 1 if they hold a legally recognized equivalent to an eligible prescribing license in the country where they practice diabetes care.
What’s the difference between BC-ADM and CDCES?
The CDCES credential is designed for healthcare professionals who possess comphrehensive knowledge of and experience in diabetes prevention and management. They educate, advocate and care for people living with diabetes, supporting and promoting self-management to achieve individualized behaviorial and treatment goals to optomize health outcomes.
The BC-ADM is an advanced credential for prescribers and healthcare providers in clinical decision-making roles who comprehensively manage the clinical needs of people living with diabetes in the context of their overall care.
If I no longer have prescribing authority or collaborative practice agreement in my state or institution after earning my BC-ADM, will I lose my certification?
Proof of prescribing authority or a collaborative practice agreement/delegation protocol is required only at the time of application. If status or agreements should change after the BC-ADM is earned, the certification will remain valid.
Where can I find future updates?
Additional details, implementation timelines and supporting resources will be shared on this page as information becomes available.
Stay Informed
CBDCE will continue sharing updates and implementation details as they become available.
Sign up for updates or contact us at bcadm@cbdce.org with any questions.