The issue of licensure has been brought to the table for several reasons:
1. Currently DIabetes Educators do not have a legal SOP which in the case of medicare has prevented CDE's from being approved providers for DSME
2. The number of people with diabetes is expected to grow exponentially and there is a need for qualified diabetes educators to provide diabetes education and ensure the safety of these patients.
3. The CDE may be out of reach for some qualified individuals who may otherwise be able to provide a valuable service to their patients.
The discussion does not come without an opposition including:
1. Opening diabetes education licensure to professionals other than CDE's may be seen as degrading the CDE title by allowing more clinicians to be providers of diabetes education
2. Licensure is a laborious task and requires valuable time, an understanding of the State's position and legislative history and money (the money should be backed by AADE)
3. Licenses do cost money for individual clinicians who already pay for other professional licenses and certifications.