Board Certification

Define your role in diabetes care.

  • Dream it.

    It all begins with an idea. Over seventy years ago, Elliot Joslin, MD pioneered diabetes care by creating a one year intensive diabetes training. That idea was brought back twenty years ago by two endocrinologists, Robert J Taneberg, MD and Frank Schwartz, MD, who began training primary care physicians in diabetology.

  • Build it.

    There are currently five diabetology programs across the United States who have graduated more than 50 fellows. Primary care diabetologists offer care in rural communities, academic centers, and suburban hospitals.

  • Grow it.

    Until now, there has not been a way to certify diabetologists. A board exam is currently in development to certify diabetology fellows. The first exam is scheduled for December 2023.

Registration for the 2023 exam is currently closed.

American College of Diabetology Board Exam Eligibility

Pathway A: 2023 Board Exam Eligibility (Fellowship Pathway)

  1. All graduates of a Diabetes Fellowship Program in the United States.

    a. Must have a certificate of verification from the Program Director

  2. All graduates of an Endocrinology Fellowship in the United States

a. Must have a certificate of verification from the Program Director or

b. Successfully completed the Endocrinology Board Exam

 

 Pathway B: CME/Applied Experience Pathway

 There is a test-in period for those physicians who did not have the opportunity to complete a fellowship. (This window is only open from 12/1/2023- 12/31/2026)

  1. Physicians who are board certified or board eligible in an ACGME/AOA program who have also:

a. Proof of an active and unrestricted license in the US.

b. In active practice for at least 5 years

c. Provided chronic ongoing care for 4 patient populations below but must include technology:

i. Adults with type 2 diabetes

ii. Adults with type 1 diabetes

iii. Children/adolescents with type 2 diabetes

iv. Children/adolescents with type 1 diabetes

v. Gestational diabetes/Diabetes in Pregnancy

vi. Atypical diabetes

vii. Technology (insulin pumps/sensors)

viii. Inpatient diabetes

ix. “other”- may apply to other options.

d. Completed 60 hours of diabetes-focused CME programming in the last 3 years (30 of those hours must have come from eligible programs 1-7.

i. Eligible programming includes:

1. American College of Diabetology

2. American Diabetes Association

3. American Association Clinical Endocrinology (diabetes-focused)

4. Endocrine Society (diabetes-focused)

5. Association Diabetes Care and Education Specialists (ADCES)

6. Endocrine Society/ACOFP Diabetes Certificate Program

7. University of the Pacific Diabetes Certificate program

8. “other”- may apply for other options.

a. Continuing Education Company- ACD courses

b. Primary Care Metabolic Group- ACD courses

9. Diabetes-focused CME from AAFP, ACOFP, ACP, ACP, AOA

e. A letter of support stating the applicant is in good standing from their medical organization/employer.

f. A personal reference from a professional colleague

 

 

Board Exam Support

 The ACD will hold at least 1 board exam preparation session each year to help physicians prepare for the boards. This session is optional for all people.

 

 

Board Exam Administration

 

ACD will prepare board exams and will be administered nationally every December at Pearson testing centers.

 

Exam Costs

 

Fellowship Pathway $500 (exam plus 1 year membership $600)

CME/Applied Experience Pathway: $1250 (exam plus 1 year membership $1500)