2026 Renewal of Certification - By Continuing Education Handbook - Application Dates and CE Requirements

Sep 21, 2026

Upload by Franzy

2026 Renewal of Certification by Continuing Education Handbook outlines eligibility, renewal requirements, and application administration for renewing CDCES credentials. It specifies application windows (standard, early bird, extended, final) and options such as a grace period, together with tiered application fees. The handbook defines renewal by CE, including required CE participation twice during the renewal cycle, encouraged topic areas, and guidance for meeting the 75-hour minimum, plus policy references covering audits, rejected applications, appeals, and withdrawals.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryHealthcare

FormatPDF

Pages32

Reading Time1 h 21 min

AccessFree to download

General

Important General Information

Important News

Dates and Fees Overview

Introduction

Mission

Definition of Certified Diabetes Care and Education Specialist

Purpose

Objectives

Responsibility for Certification

Canons of Ethical Conduct

Definition of Diabetes Care and Education

Statement of Nondiscrimination Policy

Disciplinary Policy

Confidentiality Policy

Renewal

Renewal of Certification

Eligibility Requirements

Renewal by Continuing Education

Renewal Practice Requirement

Definition of Professional Practice

What is Included in the Definition

What is NOT Included in the Definition

For Those Unable to Meet the Practice Requirement

Application Process General

Application Process

Online Application

Fees

Adherence to Published Policies

Changes after the Application is Submitted

Audit Policy

Rejected Applications

Appeals

Withdrawals and Refunds

Application Status

Application Process Grace Period Option

Post Renewal Process Certificates and Wallet Cards

Use of Certification Marks

Appendices

Appendix I: Guidelines for Reporting Continuing Education Activities

Appendix II: Examination Content Outline effective 7/1/2024

Appendix III: Canons of Ethical Conduct

2026 RENEWAL OF CERTIFICATION BY CONTINUING EDUCATION HANDBOOK Application Window Standard Window-Early Bird Extended Window Final Window Grace Period Option Application Dates July 15-Sept 15 Sept 16-Oct 15 Oct 16-Dec 31 Jan 1-Mar 31, 2027 Application Fee $250 $300 $400 $500 2026 Renewal by Continuing Education Renewal by CE Requirement To further promote quality diabetes care and education and engage in on-going professional development effective for CDCES renewing in 2025 and forward, the Board has implemented the following changes to the requirements for renewal by continuing education (CE) . These changes are to be inclusive of the renewal by CE minimum 75-hour requirement. Required CE activities: CDCESs must participate in CE activities twice (virtual or in-person) during their renewal cycle regarding the annual release of American Diabetes Association’s Standards of Medical Care in Diabetes* . CE that is encouraged but not required: To align with the recent change in the specialty, the Board is encouraging CDCESs to take CE activities in at least one of the following topics during their renewal cycle (individual or program level): • education principals/teaching strategies; • diabetes-related technology; • leadership/strategy (e. g. , CQI, change agent, program development); • population health; • diversity, equity, inclusion and accessibility (e. g. , social determinants of health, cultural competency) Other topics/activities to meet the minimum total of 75 hours of CE activities is at the discretion of the CDCES provided that the activity meets the other current guidelines, e. g. , is related to diabetes, formal activities are approved by a provider on our List of Recognized Providers, etc. Please visit the CBDCE dashboard and/or current Renewal Handbook for details on the requirements for renewal. * The Standards of Medical Care in Diabetes are updated on an annual basis. CBCDE encourages CDCESs to participate in CE activities every year that focus on the updates. The CE activities for the updates are widely available; some may be free or at a minimal charge, e. g. , via the American Diabetes Association ([diabetes.org](diabetes.org)) or Association of Diabetes Care & Education Specialists ([adces.org](adces.org)) . i GENERAL 2026 Renewal by Continuing Education Table of Contents General Important General Information ................... iii Important News .............................. iv Dates and Fees Overview ...................... 1 Introduction ................................. 2 Mission .................................... 2 Definition of Certified Diabetes Care and Education Specialist ................................. 2 Purpose .................................... 2 Objectives .................................. 2 Responsibility for Certification .................. 2 Canons of Ethical Conduct ..................... 2 Definition of Diabetes Care and Education .......2-3 Statement of Nondiscrimination Policy ............ 3 Disciplinary Policy ............................ 3 Confidentiality Policy .......................... 3 Renewal Renewal of Certification ....................... 4 Eligibility Requirements ....................... 4 Renewal by Continuing Education ............... 4 Renewal Practice Requirement ................. 5 Definition of Professional Practice ............. 5 What is Included in the Definition ............. 5 What is NOT Included in the Definition ......... 5 For Those Unable to Meet the Practice Requirement ............................. 5 Application Process General .................................... 6 Application Process .......................... 6 Online Application ........................ 6 Fees ....................................... 7 Adherence to Published Policies ................ 7 Changes after the Application is Submitted ........ 7 Audit Policy .................

FAQs

What are the 2026 application windows for renewal and what option exists after the final window?

The handbook lists standard, early bird, extended, and final windows, followed by a grace period option. It also provides application dates spanning July 15–Sept 15, Sept 16–Oct 15, Oct 16–Dec 31, and Jan 1–Mar 31, 2027.

How does CDCES renewal by continuing education work in the 2026 cycle?

CDCESs must complete required CE activities twice (virtual or in-person) during the renewal cycle related to the annual release of the American Diabetes Association’s Standards of Medical Care in Diabetes. The handbook also addresses an overall minimum of 75 CE hours and additional encouraged topics.

What topics are encouraged (but not required) to meet renewal continuing education goals?

The board encourages CE in at least one topic area such as education principles/teaching strategies, diabetes-related technology, leadership/strategy (e.g., CQI, change agent, program development), population health, and diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility.

Sep 21, 2026

Upload by Franzy