Certified Dementia Practitioner® CDP® Certification
Join thousands of care professionals who have completed the Alzheimer’s Disease and Dementia Care (ADDC) seminar and earned their CDP® certification (Certified Dementia Practitioner®), one of the most widely recognized credentials in dementia care.
Who is CDP Certification For?
CDP certification is open to paid healthcare professionals, including nurses, social workers, activity directors, care managers, and other care team members working with individuals living with dementia in senior care settings across the United States.
NCCDP recommends that, at a minimum, one Certified Dementia Practitioner® be present per shift in any care setting serving people living with dementia.
What the CDP Certification Represents
A CDP certification reflects a professional’s ongoing commitment to person-centered dementia care, sustained through recertification every two years to stay current in
the field.
CDP certification isn’t a profession on its own. It’s an added specialization for the professional role you already hold, showing your dedication to excellence in the care of people living with dementia.
Benefits of CDP Certification
- Enhanced Skills: CDP-certified professionals gain practical, evidence-informed skills through the ADDC Seminar, the required first step toward certification.
- Better Outcomes for People in Your Care: CDP®-certified professionals apply person-centered approaches that improve quality of life and reduce expressions of distress.
- Career Advancement: The CDP® certification strengthens your professional credentials and can open doors to new roles, responsibilities, or leadership opportunities in dementia care.
Person-Centered Dementia Care
Dementia care has moved away from routines centered on the care professionals’ convenience and toward one simple premise: honoring the person’s own reality preserves their dignity and sense of self.
Rather than redirecting or correcting, care professionals who complete the ADDC Seminar learn to meet people where they are, entering their reality with curiosity and respect.
This approach supports a stronger sense of identity and wellbeing and creates a care environment built on dignity rather than compliance.
Where do I start?
How to Obtain a CDP Certification
Certification happens in two simple steps: completing the ADDC seminar (priced independently by your chosen trainer) and submitting your certification application (which has its own fee).
Step 1
Complete the ADDC Seminar
Attend a live one-day Alzheimer’s Disease and Dementia Care (ADDC) seminar. Focused on person-centered dementia care education, the ADDC seminar is available in-person and in live virtual formats.
Choose the format and date that work best for your schedule. Follow the link below to view upcoming
ADDC seminars.
Step 2
Apply for the CDP Certification
What Do I need?
Documents for Application
The CDP application requires you to upload multiple documents in PDF, Word, or JPG format. Please have these ready before starting your online application.
Required for All Applicants
Supporting Documentation (ONE OF THE BELOW REQUIRED)
- A copy of an active license or certification in the healthcare field
- A copy of a college diploma or transcripts
- A letter from an administrator if your position does not require a license, certification, or degree to hold your position
What is the CDP?
Need help with the CDP process? Watch this video!
Who Can apply?
Professions Eligible for CDP Certification
CDP certification requires applicants to be living in the United States, meet state regulations for their position, and have at least one year of paid experience in the geriatric healthcare industry, working directly with individuals diagnosed with dementia or Alzheimer’s disease.
Eligible professions include nurses, social workers, activity directors, physical and occupational therapists, hospice aides, personal care assistants, and administrators, among others.
Renewal Process
Renew Your CDP Certification
Log in to your account. If you are eligible to renew, a renewal button will appear on your account page 60 days before your expiration date.
Companies that Invested in their staff
“Believe in the Power of Staff Education.”
Congratulations to the following companies for recognizing and valuing the importance of Alzheimer’s Disease and Dementia Care Staff education. They have taken the additional step and invested in their staff credentials.
Beyond CDP: Advanced Dementia Care Seminars & Certifications
Memory care specialists and other dementia care professionals can build on their CDP® with advanced dementia care certifications, including CADDCT® trainer certification and Montessori-method credentials.
NCCDP offers a full range of dementia care certifications beyond the CDP®, available online. View all certifications
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Answers to Your CDP® Credential Questions
Click through the drop-down list to find the details you need about training, requirements, costs, and the steps to certification.
Who is the CDP certification for?
This certification is open to healthcare professionals, including nurses, social workers, activity staff, care managers, and other care team members working with individuals living with dementia in senior care settings across the United States. Applicants must have at least one full year of paid experience in geriatric healthcare, working directly with individuals with dementia or Alzheimer’s disease.
What does the CDP certification cost?
The cost for new applicants is $185.
If you have an ASSOCIATION DISCOUNT FORM you received from an ADDC Seminar presented at a conference & wish to complete the CDP initial application, the fee is $85.
For Corporate Group Applicants, the fee is $68 (minimum group size of 10 people).
Does everyone qualify for the CDP Certification?
Anyone can attend the Alzheimer’s Disease and Dementia Care (ADDC) Seminar, but not everyone will qualify for certification as a CDP. Applicants must meet the following requirements to be eligible.
- Attend the ADDC (Alzheimer’s Disease and Dementia Care Seminar)
- Have at least one year of paid experience in the geriatric healthcare industry
- Qualify for their position with either a license/certification, degree
OR
- Meet state regulations for that position without a license/certification or degree.
What does the CDP Certification represent?
The CDP certification represents that the professional has received comprehensive education in dementia care. It reflects:
- A commitment to ongoing professional development through recertification every two years
- Specialized knowledge in person-centered dementia care
- Dedication to excellence in the care of people living with dementia
CDP certification is not a profession on its own. It complements the professional credentials and education you already hold in your chosen field.
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.
How will I receive my CDP Certification after completion?
All certifications are emailed to you. You have the option to request a hard copy for an additional fee.
International Council of Certified Dementia Practitioners
If you live outside of the United States, you can still get certified as a CDP. Go to https://www.nccdp.org/iccdp/ for more information and fees.
What is a certified dementia practitioner?
A Certified Dementia Practitioner (CDP) is a professional who has completed the ADDC Seminar and CDP application process, and meets established standards in person-centered care. This credential reflects the ability to support individuals living with dementia through effective communication, responding to behavioral changes, safety practices, and daily care support.
What does it mean to be a certified dementia practitioner?
Being a Certified Dementia Practitioner (CDP) means applying person-centered principles in your everyday work, from how you communicate to how you respond to a person’s needs and preferences. It signals to employers, colleagues, and families that you’ve built specialized expertise in dementia care on top of your existing professional role.
What is a CDP certification?
A CDP certification is a nationally recognized credential awarded by NCCDP through a two-step process: completing the ADDC Seminar and submitting an approved application. Unlike a license, it doesn’t grant legal authority to practice, but formally documents a professional’s specialized dementia care education and ongoing commitment through recertification.
How to become a certified dementia care specialist?
To become a certified dementia care specialist, complete the ADDC Seminar, meet eligibility requirements based on your professional background, and submit an application with the required fee.
How to become a certified dementia trainer?
To become a Certified Alzheimer’s and Dementia Care Trainer (CADDCT), you must hold a qualifying professional background and complete the CADDCT certification process. You’ll also need to demonstrate the ability to teach the ADDC Seminar and submit an application with the required fee.
Is a certified dementia practitioner a doctor?
No, a Certified Dementia Practitioner (CDP) is not a doctor. It is a professional certification for care professionals such as nurses and other support roles, focusing on person-centered care, communication, and safety rather than medical diagnosis or treatment.
Does NCCDP offer online courses for certified dementia practitioner certification?
Yes, online options are available. NCCDP offers live virtual ADDC Seminars required for certification, as well as online continuing education opportunities and webinars for renewal.
However, to become a Certified Dementia Practitioner (CDP), you must complete the ADDC Seminar in-person or via live virtual format; fully online, self-paced options are used for continuing education rather than initial certification.
How do I register for certified dementia practitioner certification exams online?
There is no exam required to become a Certified Dementia Practitioner (CDP). Instead, you register by completing an approved ADDC Seminar, then submitting your certification application and fee through the online portal.
What is the salary with CDP certification?
Salary for CDP-certified professionals varies widely depending on role, experience, employer, and location, since the certification enhances your existing qualifications rather than replacing your job title.
Note that the CDP is intended to strengthen your credentials and support career growth rather than establish a standalone salary structure.
Is CDP certification worth it?
CDP certification can be a valuable step for professionals working in or entering dementia care. It builds specialized skills, supports person-centered care practices, strengthens professional credentials, and reflects an ongoing commitment to learning and quality care.
Do you have to be a nurse to be a certified dementia practitioner?
No, you don’t have to be a nurse to become a Certified Dementia Practitioner (CDP). The certification is open to a wide range of professionals in healthcare, social services, and related fields, as long as you meet the eligibility and education requirements.
Certified Dementia Practitioner® CDP® for Groups
Organizations can invest in their staff education and certification.
MINIMUM NUMBER IN A GROUP
Groups of ten.
FEE:
The application fee is $68.00 per person USD.
CDP For Groups Information
MINIMUM NUMBER IN A GROUP
Groups of ten.
FEE
The application fee is $68.00 per person USD.
GROUP ADMINISTRATOR APPLICATION PROCESS
- To apply, the group administrator will go to https://nccdp.users.membersuite.com/auth/portal-login
- Select CORPORATE GROUP APPLICATION (FEE is $68.00 per person, a minimum of 10 members)
- Create an account and select the number of people in your group
- Enter each staff name and email address.
- Submit payment
GROUP MEMBER APPLICATION PROCESS
- Each group member will receive an email with instructions to individually apply for the Certified Dementia Practitioner certification
- The group member will go to the NCCDP Member Login
- The group member enters the Username and creates a Password to access the application
- The group member completes the online application and submits application for review.
- **Please be advised that there are no refunds or exchanges for group members.
