The Certified Dementia Practitioner certification is open to all health care professionals, front line staffs and Clergy who work in health care settings such as; Administrators, Assistant Administrators, Dementia Unit Managers, Nurses, Social Workers, Nursing Assistants, Home Health Aides, Personal Care Assistants, Activity Professionals, Therapeutic Recreation, Dietitians, PT, OT, Speech, Physicians, Alzheimer’s coach, Dementia Consultants, Dementia Trainers, Corporate Trainer, Educators, Professional Patient Advocates, Geriatric Care Managers, Certified Senior Advisors, Administrators, Health Care Educators, Nurse Educators, Consultants, Music Therapists, Art Therapists, Chiropractors, Pharmacists, Pharmacy Consultants,  etc. who work in hospitals, nursing homes, assisted living, home care agencies, hospice agencies, CCRC, Independent Living Communities, adult day care, senior centers, senior living communities, associations, management companies, government agencies, associations, etc.

Anyone can take the Alzheimer's disease and Dementia Care Curriculum (ADDC) online training with ICCDP but not everyone qualifies for CDP certification. Upon completion of the Alzheimer's disease and Dementia Care online curriculum you will be issued a CDP certification by ICCDP. The curriculum is 7 hours and you have 30 days to complete the online curriculum. A link will be sent to you once you complete the CDP application and are approved to move forward. The Alzheimer's disease and Dementia Care Curriculum is but one of the requirements for those pursuing certification as a CDP. Please access the application online to determine if you qualify for CDP certification.

The CDP certification represents that the front line staff and health care professional has received comprehensive knowledge in the area of dementia care, achievement  in completing the Alzheimer's Disease and Dementia Care course met the ICCDP requirements for CDP certification, applied for the CDP certification and received the CDP certification. 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 reflects a deep personal commitment on the part of the front line staff, health care professional and the organization’s sense of accountability by abiding by ICCDP the Ethic’s statement, inspiring confidence and dedication in an individual's professional knowledge through quality of life and quality of care provided by the CDP to the dementia patient.

Practitioner is one who practices a profession. Webster's Dictionary

The CDP certification is in itself 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.