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
application online.
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.
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
Certificate of Completion from the Alzheimer’s Disease and Dementia Care Seminar.
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
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 all healthcare professionals, front-line staff, clergy, and other medical professionals who work in and around the geriatric healthcare industry and have at least one full year of paid experience.
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 NCCDP Alzheimer’s Disease and Dementia Care 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 the dementia care field.
- The CDP commits to ongoing professional development through NCCDP Staff Education Week or other educational opportunities and re-certification every two years.
- A CDP certification demonstrates your dedication to excellence in memory care.
The CDP certification is not a profession; rather it is a compliment to the professional credentials and training you already have obtained in your chosen profession and your choice to work with the geriatric profession.
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 formal dementia care training 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 you have completed formal dementia care training and meet established standards in person-centered care.
It reflects a commitment to applying best practices in communication, behavior support, safety, and daily care to improve quality of life for people living with dementia.
What is a CDP certification?
A Certified Dementia Practitioner (CDP) credential is a professional designation that confirms completion of formal dementia care training and knowledge of person-centered care practices.
It demonstrates the ability to care for people living with dementia through effective communication, behavior support, safety, and daily care.
How to become a certified dementia care specialist?
To become a certified dementia care specialist, complete an approved dementia care training program, meet eligibility requirements based on your professional background, and submit an application with the required fee.
This process builds specialized knowledge in person-centered care, communication, behavior support, and safety.
How to become a certified dementia trainer?
To become a certified dementia trainer, you need a qualifying professional background, complete required dementia care training, and attend a trainer certification course. You must also demonstrate the ability to teach dementia care education 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 individuals trained in dementia care, including caregivers, 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 online and virtual learning, including live virtual ADDC seminars required for certification, as well as online continuing education courses and webinars.
However, to become a Certified Dementia Practitioner (CDP), you must complete the ADDC seminar (in-person or live virtual), while fully online, self-paced courses are mainly 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 must register by completing an approved Alzheimer’s Disease and Dementia Care seminar, then submit your certification application and fee through the online portal.
What is the salary with CDP certification?
Salary with a Certified Dementia Practitioner (CDP) certification can vary widely depending on your role, experience, and location. In general, professionals with this credential may earn anywhere from around $40,000 to over $100,000+ per year, with some roles averaging higher depending on specialization.
Since the certification enhances your qualifications rather than defining your job, your salary is typically based on your primary role (like caregiver, nurse, or coordinator), with the CDP helping improve job opportunities and earning potential.
Is CDP certification worth it?
Yes, CDP certification is generally worth it, especially if you work in or plan to enter dementia care.
It adds specialized skills, improves the quality of care you provide, and strengthens your professional credentials. It also supports career growth and can open opportunities for advancement, while reflecting a commitment to person-centered care and ongoing learning.
Do you have to be a nurse to be a certified dementia practitioner?
No, you do not have to be a nurse to become a Certified Dementia Practitioner (CDP). The certification is open to a wide range of professionals in healthcare, caregiving, social services, and related fields, as long as you meet the experience and training 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.
