CDE Certifyingination Exam Revision Notes and Self-
Assessment
CDE Certifying Examination – Revision Notes & Self-Assessment
About This Study Guide
This comprehensive revision guide is designed for healthcare professionals
preparing for the Canadian Diabetes Educator (CDE) Certification Examination
conducted by the Canadian Diabetes Educator Certification Board (CDECB) . The
guide follows the official CDECB competency framework and is updated for the
2026/2027 exam cycle .
EXAM OVERVIEW & ELIGIBILITY
# Key Exam Information
| Feature | Details |
|||
| Exam Dates (2026) | May 21–23, 2026 |
1
,| Application Deadlines | February 1 annually |
| Format | Criterion-referenced assessment |
| Eligibility | Licensed Canadian health professional + 800 hours diabetes education
practice within preceding 3 years |
| Certification Maintenance | Exam or Credit Portfolio method |
# Core Competency Areas
The examination is organized around the following competency domains:
| Domain | Key Topics |
|--||
| Pathophysiology | Types of diabetes, etiology, diagnostic criteria, hormonal
effects |
| Nutrition | Meal planning, carbohydrate counting, glycemic index, sick-day
nutrition |
| Medications | Non-insulin agents, insulin types/regimens, delivery systems |
| Self-Care Management | Hypoglycemia, hyperglycemia, physical activity,
monitoring |
| Complications | Microvascular, macrovascular, comorbidities |
| Special Populations | Pediatrics, pregnancy, Indigenous peoples, older adults |
2
,SECTION 1: PATHOPHYSIOLOGY & DIAGNOSIS
# Q1. Which of the following best describes Type 1 diabetes?
A) Autoimmune destruction of pancreatic beta cells
B) Insulin resistance with relative insulin deficiency
C) Impaired glucose tolerance only
D) Secondary to other conditions
☑ ANSWER: A
RATIONALE: Type 1 diabetes is caused by autoimmune destruction of pancreatic
beta cells, leading to absolute insulin deficiency. Type 2 diabetes is characterized
by insulin resistance with progressive beta-cell dysfunction.
# Q2. The main pathophysiological defect in Type 2 diabetes is:
A) Autoimmunity
B) Insulin resistance and beta-cell dysfunction
3
, C) Lack of glucagon
D) Viral infection
☑ ANSWER: B
RATIONALE: Type 2 diabetes involves insulin resistance in peripheral tissues
along with progressive beta-cell dysfunction. This is distinct from autoimmune
destruction in Type 1 diabetes.
# Q3. Which test is the gold standard for diagnosing diabetes?
A) Random blood glucose
B) Fasting plasma glucose
C) Oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT)
D) HbA1c
☑ ANSWER: C
RATIONALE: The OGTT is the most sensitive diagnostic test for diabetes, though
HbA1c and fasting plasma glucose are also used in clinical practice.
4
Assessment
CDE Certifying Examination – Revision Notes & Self-Assessment
About This Study Guide
This comprehensive revision guide is designed for healthcare professionals
preparing for the Canadian Diabetes Educator (CDE) Certification Examination
conducted by the Canadian Diabetes Educator Certification Board (CDECB) . The
guide follows the official CDECB competency framework and is updated for the
2026/2027 exam cycle .
EXAM OVERVIEW & ELIGIBILITY
# Key Exam Information
| Feature | Details |
|||
| Exam Dates (2026) | May 21–23, 2026 |
1
,| Application Deadlines | February 1 annually |
| Format | Criterion-referenced assessment |
| Eligibility | Licensed Canadian health professional + 800 hours diabetes education
practice within preceding 3 years |
| Certification Maintenance | Exam or Credit Portfolio method |
# Core Competency Areas
The examination is organized around the following competency domains:
| Domain | Key Topics |
|--||
| Pathophysiology | Types of diabetes, etiology, diagnostic criteria, hormonal
effects |
| Nutrition | Meal planning, carbohydrate counting, glycemic index, sick-day
nutrition |
| Medications | Non-insulin agents, insulin types/regimens, delivery systems |
| Self-Care Management | Hypoglycemia, hyperglycemia, physical activity,
monitoring |
| Complications | Microvascular, macrovascular, comorbidities |
| Special Populations | Pediatrics, pregnancy, Indigenous peoples, older adults |
2
,SECTION 1: PATHOPHYSIOLOGY & DIAGNOSIS
# Q1. Which of the following best describes Type 1 diabetes?
A) Autoimmune destruction of pancreatic beta cells
B) Insulin resistance with relative insulin deficiency
C) Impaired glucose tolerance only
D) Secondary to other conditions
☑ ANSWER: A
RATIONALE: Type 1 diabetes is caused by autoimmune destruction of pancreatic
beta cells, leading to absolute insulin deficiency. Type 2 diabetes is characterized
by insulin resistance with progressive beta-cell dysfunction.
# Q2. The main pathophysiological defect in Type 2 diabetes is:
A) Autoimmunity
B) Insulin resistance and beta-cell dysfunction
3
, C) Lack of glucagon
D) Viral infection
☑ ANSWER: B
RATIONALE: Type 2 diabetes involves insulin resistance in peripheral tissues
along with progressive beta-cell dysfunction. This is distinct from autoimmune
destruction in Type 1 diabetes.
# Q3. Which test is the gold standard for diagnosing diabetes?
A) Random blood glucose
B) Fasting plasma glucose
C) Oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT)
D) HbA1c
☑ ANSWER: C
RATIONALE: The OGTT is the most sensitive diagnostic test for diabetes, though
HbA1c and fasting plasma glucose are also used in clinical practice.
4
