The CDCES Renewal is evolving
The CDCES renewal cycle is evolving to reflect the latest clinical competencies and evidence-based practices of those who hold the certification. With the advances in technology, pharmcotherapy, and clinical guidelines continuing to rapidly reshape diabetes care. CBDCE is committed to maintain rigorous standards that support excellence in diabetes prevention, education and management.
How is the CDCES renewal cycle changing?
The CDCES renewal cycle will be changing from five years to three years. Renewal requirements will be adjusted proportionally to the shorter cycle.
All new certificants who become certified on January 1, 2027 or later will have a 3-year renewal cycle. The certification date is based on when the exam passed (not the application date).
All current certificants will remain on their existing renewal schedule and will renew on their originally scheduled renewal date. They will be transitioned to the 3-year renewal cycle as they renew over the next several years.
Why is the CDCES Renewal Cycle Changing?
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 guidelines are emerging faster than traditional certification cycles were designed to accommodate. To support the highest standard of evidence-based patient care, the CDCES and BC-ADM credentials must reflect this rapid pace of change.
This decision followed months of discussion and careful research. It reflects a broader shift happening across the credentialing world. Research on continuing certification, including work associated with the American Board of Medical Specialties¹, points to shorter, more frequent assessment cycles as a better way to reinforce knowledge retention than long stretches between high-stakes renewals. Guidance from the Institute for Credentialing Excellence² echoes this: competence can fade over time without continuous engagement, and recertification requirements should be driven by how much practice, knowledge, and skill actually change in the field, not by an arbitrary calendar. including work associated with the American Board of Medical Specialties¹, points to shorter, more frequent assessment cycles as a better way to reinforce knowledge retention than long stretches between high-stakes renewals. Guidance from the Institute for Credentialing Excellence² echoes this: competence can fade over time without continuous engagement, and recertification requirements should be driven by how much practice, knowledge, and skill actually change in the field, not by an arbitrary calendar.
Other specialty boards, including the American Board of Internal Medicine and multiple nursing specialty boards, have already moved toward shorter or more continuous certification models for exactly this reason. Even certifications that have retained a “5-year” renewal cycle often have annual fees or CE requirements. A 3-year renewal cycle brings CDCES and BC-ADM in line with current practice, strengthening each credential's relevance and the public's confidence in it.
How are requirements changing?
Renewal Cycle
The CDCES renewal cycle will move from:
-
5 years → 3 years
Practice hours
Updated practice requirements will shift from:
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1,000 hours over 5 years → 600 hours over 3 years
Continuing Education
Requirements will change from:
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75 diabetes-specific CE hours → 45 diabetes-specific CE hours
ADA Standards of Medical Care Requirement
CDCES holders will still be required to participate in CE activities twice (virtual or in-person) during their renewal cycle regarding the annual release of the American Diabetes Association's Standards of Medical Care in Diabetes. This requirement is not changing.
Recertification pathways remain the same.
When will the new CDCES renewal cycle take effect?
New Applicants:
- The 3-year renewal cycle takes effect for all those certified beginning January 1, 2027. Certification date is based on when the exam is passed (not appplication date).
Current Certificants: You'll renew on your certification's originally scheduled expiration date, under your existing requirements. For your next cycle:
- If your current term expires in 2026, you'll complete one more 5-year renewal before moving to the 3-year cycle.
- If your current term expires in 2027, you'll have a choice: renew for the standard 5 years one last time, or opt into the new 3-year cycle early at a discounted rate. Additional information will be provided on these options in early 2027.
- If your current term expires in 2028 or later, you'll transition automatically to the 3-year cycle once you've met your current renewal requirements.
Your Current Certification Expires
What Happens at Your Next Renewal
Renewal Cycle
2026
You’ll complete one more renewal under the current requirements before transitioning to the new cycle.
5-year renewal
2027
You’ll have a choice: renew for the standard five years one last time or opt into the new three-year cycle early at a discounted rate. Additional information about these options will be provided in early 2027.
5-year or 3-year renewal (discounted)
2028 or later
You’ll transition automatically to the new three-year cycle after meeting your current renewal requirements.
3-year renewal
Will the renewal fee change?
No. The CDCES renewal fee will remain unchanged at $250.
Does this mean I’ll be paying more per year for my certification?
Yes. Because the renewal cycle is changing from five years to three years, the annualized cost of maintaining the CDCES credential will increase.
CBDCE recognizes that many certificants have limited resources available for maintaining their credentials. Keeping certification affordable has always been a priority, which is why CBDCE has not increased application or renewal fees in 20 years even as operating costs have continued to rise.
Operational costs have increased significantly over the past 20 years, particularly during and following the COVID-19 pandemic. CBDCE has made every effort to absorb these increases rather than pass them along to certificants through higher fees. While moving to a three-year renewal cycle will help support the ongoing operations of CBDCE in the long-term, we have worked to minimize the impact on certificants by phasing in the chang over multiple years and keeping the renewal fee itself unchanged.
Where can I find future updates?
Additional details, implementation timelines, and supporting resources will be shared on this webpage.
Stay Informed
CBDCE will continue sharing updates and implementation details as they become available.
Sign up for updates or contact us at info@cbdce.org with any questions.