Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
Applying to write the CDECB Examination? Here are some of the frequently asked questions that we have received about applying to write the CDECB Examination. Search for answers or browse by category below.
Interested in Becoming a CDE®?
Learn HowFor Further Enquiries
Send Us a Message
We want to hear from you. Please send us your questions, comments or feedback.
88 questions
The Examination 3
I’m a CDE(R) 2
Qualifications 22
- Does the time I spend taking a course contribute towards the 800 hours of education experience?
- How do I calculate the time that I provide diabetes education, and what part of my job is diabetes education?
- How do I calculate the time that I spend providing diabetes education? I have not logged it.
- I am a community pharmacist, how do I track my diabetes education experience?
- I am a health professional and I do not have any experience working with diabetes but my child has diabetes, can I use that time?
- I am a member of a Canadian Regulatory Body, and I have 800 hours of experience, but the experience was not in Canada, can I apply?
- I am a Pharmacy Technician licensed in my Province with the College of Pharmacists. Am I eligible to write the CDECB exam?
- I am moving from one province to another in Canada. What happens to my “CDE” designation when I change my licence from one College to another due to my physical relocation?
- I am taking a course about diabetes from my local college. May I include that in my calculation of 800 hours of diabetes education experience?
- I have an immediate family member on a pump, diagnosed at 5 years of age, that would help me accumulate my time, wouldn’t it not?
- I have diabetes, does the time looking after “me” count?
- I just graduated and I am an intern may I use the experience I have accumulated while an intern?
- I look after family members with diabetes, does that time contribute towards my diabetes education experience?
- I meet all of the criteria, however, I do not work in a Diabetes Education Centre, is that OK?
- I provide diabetes education to health care professionals do I qualify to write the exam or do I have to provide diabetes education to people with diabetes?
- I provide diabetes education to those that are at risk of diabetes, does that contribute towards the 800 hours?
- I spend a lot of time with people with diabetes. Therefore, does that time contribute towards the 800 hours of experience?
- I will not have my 800 hours until I am ready to write the exam – is that OK?
- I work in a Diabetes Education Centre for 40 hours a week. Can I count all 40 hours of that time as my experience?
- In regards to the 800 hour requirement needed to write the exam, does my nursing practice over the years working in the community and now in the hospital count?
- What is the examination fee?
- What time contributes towards my 800 hours for diabetes education experience?
Credit Portfolio 7
- Because of COVID-19 will I still need 250 credits to complete my portfolio?
- I attended Diabetes Canada’s virtual conference in 2020 or 2021. What category does this fall under?
- I attended virtual conferences, lunch and learns, or other events that normally hosted in person but are now virtual.
- The Word or PDF forms are not working properly.
- Virtual attendance at Diabetes Canada Conference 2022-2026
- What competencies should I use?
- Where do I claim credit for Diabetes Canada’s “22 Minute Take Away”?
Application Preparation 13
- Can you recommend a course for me to take?
- Do I need to keep track of my hours on a separate sheet of paper?
- How do I become a CDE®?
- How do I know you received my application?
- How do you verify the experience I outline in my Application?
- I am taking the examination this year, do I need to know about certification maintenance prior to writing the examination?
- I decided I cannot take the examination this year, when should I tell the CDECB?
- I have a disability and I need special consideration, when should I advise the CDECB?
- Is the CDECB Exam a virtual exam or a paper exam?
- My College no longer sends out “wallet cards” and all I can do is print off my current information from their website. If I print that and send that to you is that acceptable as proof of professional registration?
- When do I receive acknowledgment of my Application?
- Why can’t I get my sample exam questions now?
- Will my application be processed if I do not provide the fee when submitted?
Online Exam Writing 40
- Can I have a snack and a drink while I write the examination?
- Can I just go somewhere and get a free wifi connection?
- Can I read the questions aloud; can I talk to myself during the exam?
- Can I take scrap paper into the room?
- Can I take this examination using a mobile phone or tablet?
- Can I use a library hot spot?
- Can I use the washroom during the examination?
- Can multiple people write the examination in the same room?
- Do I have to use all of the trial tests?
- Do I need to complete the “trial” examination?
- Does it matter what internet connection I use to take my practice test?
- Evacuation Process: What happens if I get an evacuation notice during my exam or before I start my exam?
- How do I ensure I have stable internet connection?
- How do I flag (identify) a question to review later?
- How do I get to my exam on exam day?
- How do I know how much time I have?
- How do I receive my results?
- How long do I have to write the examination?
- I accidentally closed the examination.
- I have been advised by my power supplier that I will not have power on the date of the exam. Now what?
- I just took the exam. When will I get the results?
- I ran out of time and did not get to finish my examination.
- I want to write the examination like before, with paper, and go to an examination site to do it.
- If I am disqualified from the Examination, will I receive a refund?
- If I just do not “show up” or “sign in” for the examination am I then scheduled for the next examination?
- My computer does not meet the requirements. Now what?
- Should I write the examination in French or English?
- So, if I am not successful, how do I know what to study for the next time I write the exam?
- What do I do if I cannot meet these standards for computer equipment?
- What happens if I do not understand the examination content and I have a question for the proctor?
- What happens if I have a technical question when I am writing the examination?
- What happens if I have trouble logging in to write the examination?
- What happens if my internet connection goes out?
- What happens if my internet provider experiences an outage?
- What is a Room Scan and how do I do it?
- What is the exam pass/fail score?
- What must my room and desk be like where I take the examination?
- What technical standards must my desktop or laptop computer meet in order to take this examination?
- What time will I write the examination?
- What type of Identification do I need to present when I start to write the examination?