2026 Nursing Certification Exams Updated
Updates for the 2026 Certified Diabetes Nurse (CDN) and Certified Nutrition Nurse (CNN) exams have been announced. The changes reflect a greater emphasis on integrated approaches to patient education and care planning for high-risk populations. The new content outlines are designed to align with current standards in evidence-based practice, relevant for midwives managing gestational diabetes and other metabolic conditions.
- The Certified Diabetes Care and Education Specialist (CDCES) credential, formerly known as the Certified Diabetes Educator (CDE), is for healthcare professionals with significant experience in diabetes prevention and management. The Certification Board for Diabetes Care and Education (CBDCE) administers the credential and will celebrate its 40th anniversary in 2026. - In Virginia, recent legislation (HB1923) ensures payment parity for all licensed midwives, meaning private insurers and Medicaid must reimburse Licensed Certified Midwives (LCMs) and Licensed Midwives (LMs) at the same rate as Certified Nurse-Midwives (CNMs). This change, effective July 1, 2025, is intended to address the state's shortage of maternity care providers and expand access to care. - Another new Virginia law, HB 1904, allows certified nurse-midwives and other advanced practice providers to be part of the 24-hour on-call roster for nursery care in hospitals when a physician is not available, a measure aimed at keeping labor and delivery units open, especially in rural areas. - The American College of Nurse-Midwives, Virginia Affiliate, is a professional organization that supports and advocates for Certified Nurse-Midwives (CNMs), Certified Midwives (CMs), and students in the state. It focuses on promoting midwifery education, practice, and access to care, as well as providing input into the state's legislative process. - The employment of nurse anesthetists, nurse midwives, and nurse practitioners is projected to grow 35% from 2024 to 2034, a rate much faster than the average for all occupations. This growth is driven by an increased demand for healthcare services, particularly for the aging population and those with chronic diseases. - Emerging technologies in maternal care include digital health platforms for remote monitoring of conditions like hypertension, AI-powered tools to identify high-risk pregnancies, and smartphone apps for blood pressure monitoring. These innovations aim to improve access to care, especially in underserved areas. - The Certified Nutrition Support Clinician® (CNSC®) is a credential for healthcare professionals who have expertise in specialized nutrition support. The exam for this certification covers nutrition assessment, clinical management, process management, and professional practice. - The Certified Clinical Nutritionist (CCN) credential requires postgraduate training in clinical nutrition and passing an examination. The Certified Nutrition Specialist (CNS) is another advanced credential for personalized nutrition practitioners, with exams offered in June and December 2026.
