General Standards for CDP® Certified Dementia Practitioner®

Notice: While certification promotes and maintains quality, it does not license, confer a right or privilege upon or otherwise define the qualifications of anyone in the healthcare field.

Applications must be submitted within 30 days upon completing the Alzheimer's Disease and Dementia course. If you are unable to submit within the deadline, please contact the NCCDP for further instructions. 

  • GED or High School Diploma if following Track 2
  • College Graduate if following Track 1. The degree must be from an Accredited College or University.
  • Must have current license or certification in your health care field.
  • Must have completed at minimum, a 7 - hour seminar that has been approved by NCCDP on Alzheimer's Disease and Dementia. This is a minimum of 7 - hours.
  • The certification is for two years. At which time, you will need to renew your certification. To apply for continued certification, you will need to complete at minimum 10 hours of continuing education in the area of Dementia or Alzheimer's. Please refer to the body of knowledge. You will receive a notice in the mail ( 2 months prior to the deadline) of your deadline for renewal.
  • Individuals (Track 2) without a college degree will provide additional In-Service's (5) provided by their place of employment (health care setting).
  • Track 1: Must have 1 years of experience in a health related field.
  • Track 2: Must have 1 years of experience in a health related field.
  • Track 3: If you are not certified or licensed in a health care profession but have a Masters or PhD with 5 years experience.

Note: Registered Nurses and LPN please follow track 1.

General Standards for Option 4 (No licenses, certifications, or degrees)
The NCCDP recognizes most accrediting bodies and also recognizes that some state regulations for long term care facilities, adult day care, hospitals and home care agencies do not require certification or license for certain professions.

  • This option is only for the following professions: Agency Owners, Admissions Directors, Marketing Directors, Activity & Recreation Professionals, Clergy, Volunteer Coordinators, Social Workers, In-Service Directors, and Long Term Care Consultants. Additionally, Home Care assistants and Personal Care Assistants and Nursing Assistants.

  • Must have 1 year of experience in geriatric health related field.

  • Must have completed at minimum, the 7 hour NCCDP Comprehensive Dementia Curriculum taught by an approved NCCDP Certified Instructor

  • *For Nursing Assistants (Aides), Personal Care Assistants (Aides) and Home Health Assistants (Aides). You must have completed a state required course and attach the certificate. If your state does not require a state approved course, than attach a certificate from your company stating you have completed the company training. 

  • Must attach to this application a letter from your administrator which states that you are employed by the facility or home care agency and qualified under your state requirements to hold the title and position for which you are employed.

  • If your state long term care regulations do not require or indicate a certification or license for your profession/title, please attach a copy of the state regulation that indicates the criteria/qualifications for your profession/title or a letter from your administrator.

  • The certification is for two years. At which time, you will need to renew your certification. To apply for continued certification, you will need to complete at minimum 10 hours of continuing education in the area of Dementia or Alzheimer’s Disease. Please refer to the Education Criteria. You will receive a notice in the mail (2 months prior to the deadline) of your deadline for renewal.

"Don't just meet the minimum state regulations regarding dementia education...exceed them!"

Patrick Smith, Chief Executive Officer NCCDP

Lynn Biot Gordon, LCSW CDP CADDCT CFRDT CMDCP, Co-Founder NCCDP

Sandra Stimson, CADDCT CALA, ADC, CDP, CDCM, Co-Founder NCCDP