Initial Credentialling

Become a Credentialled Diabetes Educator (CDE)

Primary health discipline prerequisite

To become a CDE, you need to be one of the following:

  1. Registered Medical Practitioner
  2. Registered Nurse
  3. Registered Midwife
  4. Accredited Practising Dietitian
  5. Accredited Exercise Physiologist
  6. Registered Pharmacist
  7. Registered Podiatrist
  8. Registered Physiotherapist
  9. Registered Optometrist

Other Primary Health Disciplines

Primary health discipline peak bodies can apply to the ADEA Board for recognition as a discipline eligible for Credentialling. The document below outlines assessment criteria and the application process.

Application for Health Disciplines Eligibility for Recognition as Credentialled Diabetes Educator (PDF – 0.54MB)

If you are from a primary health discipline not listed above and wish to credential, ADEA recommends contacting your peak body to discuss an application for recognition as a primary health discipline eligible for credentialling.

Credentialling pathway for Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander health professionals

Indigenous Allied Health Australia and the National Association of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Workers and Health Practitioners.  For information and application for credentialling as a CDE in Australia for Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander Health Professionals, please refer to our guideline here

Credentialling application form and the guideline for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Professionals can be accessed here.

Initial Credentialling

If you have decided that credentialling as a diabetes educator with ADEA is for you, and you meet the above prerequisite, there are 6 steps to follow. The steps are detailed below.

Step 1: Complete a Graduate Certificate in diabetes education and management

Step 2: Register for full ADEA membership

Step 3: Complete 1000 hours of practice in diabetes education

A minimum of 1000 hours of diabetes education practice is required for initial credentialling.

You have 4 years to accrue these hours, however, 60% of this practice (600 hours) needs to be within the 12 months immediately prior to your application. You can start to accrue and log these hours from the day that you commence your Postgraduate Certificate in diabetes education.

Practice hours are defined as work-related practice, including clinical, managerial or research, that is directly related to diabetes education, support and management of people living with, or at risk of developing diabetes.

ADEA validates your 1000 hours of practice via a log of hours completed by you AND a verification letter from your manager/employer (on business letterhead).
OR
If you are currently employed solely as a DIABETES EDUCATOR* and your position description specifically states that your role is solely DIABETES EDUCATOR, you can provide a Position Description from your workplace that outlines your diabetes-related work, AND a verification letter from your manager/employer (on business letterhead).
*Please note your position title will need to be: Diabetes Educator, ADEA will not accept a position description if Diabetes Educator is just part of your role

Relevant documents:

Step 4: Undertake a minimum six months mentoring

You can find more information about the mentoring program on this page.

Step 5: Undertake 20 hours CPD per year

You are required to undertake 20 hours of Continuing Professional Development (CPD). These 20 hours of CPD should be recorded in your CPD portfolio online and submitted with your application.

Five of the total 20 CPD hours are required to be ADEA-developed or ADEA-endorsed activities.

ADEA-developed activities include ADEA conferences and education programs (available on the ADEA LMS). ADEA-endorsed courses are developed by other organisations and endorsed by ADEA.

Relevant documents:

Step 6: Provide a referee report

A referee report must be submitted with your application. The report can be written by:

Your referee needs to:

Relevant documents:

Fees

The fee for initial credentialling consists of two elements:


Credentialling is a detailed and rigorous process designed to uphold the integrity of the CDE status. ADEA wants you to be successful in this process and will provide as much support and advice as you need.

If you would like to know more about credentialling as a CDE, we invite you to contact our Member Services Team on 02 6173 1000 or via email to cde@adea.com.au.

The Team welcomes your questions and can assist you with submitting your application. The operating hours for the team are Monday to Friday: 9 am – 5 pm (AEST/ AEDT).

Applying for Initial Credentialling

Initial Credentialling

Become a Credentialled Diabetes Educator (CDE)

Primary health discipline prerequisite

To become a CDE, you need to be one of the following:

  1. Registered Medical Practitioner
  2. Registered Nurse
  3. Registered Midwife
  4. Accredited Practising Dietitian
  5. Accredited Exercise Physiologist
  6. Registered Pharmacist
  7. Registered Podiatrist
  8. Registered Physiotherapist
  9. Registered Optometrist

Other Primary Health Disciplines

Primary health discipline peak bodies can apply to the ADEA Board for recognition as a discipline eligible for Credentialling. The document below outlines assessment criteria and the application process.

Application for Health Disciplines Eligibility for Recognition as Credentialled Diabetes Educator (PDF – 0.54MB)

If you are from a primary health discipline not listed above and wish to credential, ADEA recommends contacting your peak body to discuss an application for recognition as a primary health discipline eligible for credentialling.

Credentialling pathway for Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander health professionals

Indigenous Allied Health Australia and the National Association of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Workers and Health Practitioners.  For information and application for credentialling as a CDE in Australia for Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander Health Professionals, please refer to our guideline here

Credentialling application form and the guideline for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Professionals can be accessed here.

Initial Credentialling

If you have decided that credentialling as a diabetes educator with ADEA is for you, and you meet the above prerequisite, there are 6 steps to follow. The steps are detailed below.

Step 1: Complete a Graduate Certificate in diabetes education and management

Step 2: Register for full ADEA membership

Step 3: Complete 1000 hours of practice in diabetes education

A minimum of 1000 hours of diabetes education practice is required for initial credentialling.

You have 4 years to accrue these hours, however, 60% of this practice (600 hours) needs to be within the 12 months immediately prior to your application. You can start to accrue and log these hours from the day that you commence your Postgraduate Certificate in diabetes education.

Practice hours are defined as work-related practice, including clinical, managerial or research, that is directly related to diabetes education, support and management of people living with, or at risk of developing diabetes.

ADEA validates your 1000 hours of practice via a log of hours completed by you AND a verification letter from your manager/employer (on business letterhead).
OR
If you are currently employed solely as a DIABETES EDUCATOR* and your position description specifically states that your role is solely DIABETES EDUCATOR, you can provide a Position Description from your workplace that outlines your diabetes-related work, AND a verification letter from your manager/employer (on business letterhead).
*Please note your position title will need to be: Diabetes Educator, ADEA will not accept a position description if Diabetes Educator is just part of your role

Relevant documents:

Step 4: Undertake a minimum six months mentoring

You can find more information about the mentoring program on this page.

Step 5: Undertake 20 hours CPD per year

You are required to undertake 20 hours of Continuing Professional Development (CPD). These 20 hours of CPD should be recorded in your CPD portfolio online and submitted with your application.

Five of the total 20 CPD hours are required to be ADEA-developed or ADEA-endorsed activities.

ADEA-developed activities include ADEA conferences and education programs (available on the ADEA LMS). ADEA-endorsed courses are developed by other organisations and endorsed by ADEA.

Relevant documents:

Step 6: Provide a referee report

A referee report must be submitted with your application. The report can be written by:

  • your mentor
  • a CDE you work with
  • your manager or immediate supervisor (they do not need to be a CDE or ADEA member)

Your referee needs to:

  • provide an independent view of your ability to meet ADEA CDE core competencies
  • have an in-depth knowledge of your practice in relation to the core competencies of a CDE
  • review and discuss your CPD portfolio

Relevant documents:

Fees

The fee for initial credentialling consists of two elements:

  • an assessment fee of $122 incl GST
  • the annual credentialling fee of $61, which is pro-rated depending on the date on which your membership fee is due.

Credentialling is a detailed and rigorous process designed to uphold the integrity of the CDE status. ADEA wants you to be successful in this process and will provide as much support and advice as you need.

If you would like to know more about credentialling as a CDE, we invite you to contact our Member Services Team on 02 6173 1000 or via email to cde@adea.com.au.

The Team welcomes your questions and can assist you with submitting your application. The operating hours for the team are Monday to Friday: 9 am – 5 pm (AEST/ AEDT).

Applying for Initial Credentialling