CBDCE is pleased to provide this information about its eligibility requirements for nomination, governance structure, and board responsibilities to consider before making a decision to apply for a position on the Board of Directors.

This page also provides very important information about what's needed as part of the Board application and provides the link to the application.

Board applications will be accepted from April 1 through June 1, 2026 (5:00 pm CT).

The composition of the CBDCE Board of Directors (Board) is identified in the organization's bylaws:
The number of “Professional Discipline” Directors shall be no more than eleven voting members. These shall consist of at least nine active status Certified Diabetes Care and Education Specialists (CDCESs) to include at least two registered nurses, two registered dietitians/dietitian nutritionists, one pharmacist, one provider (MD, DO, PA, NP), and one “other” professional. The additional two members can come from any discipline. The “other” professional category includes any discipline other than registered nurse, registered dietitian/dietitian nutritionist, pharmacist, or provider (MD, DO, PA, NP). In addition, a public member also serves on the Board. 

Board Openings - CDCES Certified Individuals
For the 2026 election, with a term of service starting January 1, 2027 for those elected, we're looking to fill the following CDCES seats: one (1) "Other" position and one (1) open position. The “other” professional category includes any discipline other than registered nurse, registered dietitian/dietitian nutritionist, pharmacist, or provider (MD, DO, PA, NP). The open position can be a CDCES from any discipline. Individuals elected will serve a four-year term.

All applicants for the seats must be diabetes care and education specialists holding active CDCES certification with CBDCE.
 

The primary focus of the Board is oversight of the certification programs for diabetes care and education, which includes the development, execution and evaluation of the organization’s strategic plans and initiatives; the development, allocation and review of appropriate financial resources to support the activities of CBDCE; the development, review and approval of organizational policies and procedures to ensure successful administration of CBDCE’s programs; and participation in the selection and performance evaluation of the Chief Executive Officer. Directors also serve on committees and special task forces related to certification issues. Management and operation of the CBDCE national office are overseen by CBDCE’s Chief Executive Officer.

CDCESs who serve on the Board receive an extension of their certification expiration date on an annual basis until their full term is completed. At that time, a final extension of the expiration date is made for two full years, with recertification needed in the third year after the end of the term.

During term of office and for two years after completing board tenure, directors may not participate in the development or presentation of review courses, study guides, or any materials designed primarily for examination review purposes.

Understanding and appreciation of the responsibilities and commitments necessary to serve effectively are of critical importance before making the decision to apply. CBDCEs Board of Directors Role Description provides an overview of the responsibilities and expectations of those elected to serve on the Board. You'll also want to review the CBDCE Bylaws.

Review the Board of Directors Role Description.
Review the CBDCE Bylaws.

As when you apply you'll need to do it one setting, you are encouraged to create your answers to the questions in word or another type of platform to have ready to copy and paste into the application itself.

You'll need to be able to answer/provide the following as part of the application:

• Briefly describe your work/volunteer experience as a CDCES (maximum of 100 words).
• Briefly describe the skills and training you possess that qualify you to be a Director of CBDCE(maximum of 100 words).
• Provide information on professional activities within the last 5 years at the national, last 10 years at the state/local level. For each, you’ll want to be able to identify the position/office held, organization, and year(s) of service for each activity.
• Provide information on any board or committee experience within the last 5 years.
• Provide information on any other relevant activities or positions/offices held within the last 5 years.
• For one or more of the board/committee experiences described in earlier question, briefly describe some key initiatives/activities in which you were actively involved (maximum of 150 words).
• Identify any current professional memberships held that are diabetes care and/or education-related and other professional membership organization.
• Provide answers to the following 6 questions:

1. Why are you interested in serving on the CBDCE Board of Directors? (maximum of 150 words)
2. How do you define the role of a CDCES? (maximum of 150 words each)
3. How does your professional experience reflect your leadership abilities? (maximum of 150 words)
4. What professional roles have required you to participate as a team member; what did you learn about the concept of teamwork in those roles? (maximum of 200 words)
5. What are the top 3 current challenges and opportunities that exist for the CDCES in today's healthcare environment; how do you see those evolving (if so), in the next 5-6 years? (maximum of 250 words)
6. What are the top 3 challenges facing CBDCE during the next 3-5 years; what are some strategies to help CBDCE meet these challenges? (maximum of 250 words)

• Current c.v. or resume
• Two letters of recommendation from persons knowledgeable about your professional practice experience and activities in diabetes care and education.

 

The application submission window will be open April 1, 2026 through June 1, 2026 (5:00 pm CT).