CDDN Certification: Overview and FAQ
Developmental disabilities affect at least 1% of Americans, and nurses who care for this population bring specialty skills like communication, cooperation, and more. If you’re an experienced nurse working with these patients, becoming a Certified Developmental Disabilities Nurse (CDDN) can help advance your specialty and career.
Developmental disabilities stem from disorders in the developing nervous system, and they result in missed or delayed developmental milestones. These disabilities impact the following domains:
- Cognition
- Motor abilities
- Vision
- Hearing and speech
- Behavior
What Is CDDN Certification?
A Certified Developmental Disabilities Nurse has met additional requirements in their specialty, reflecting the highest standards of care for their patients. This credential is awarded by the Developmental Disabilities Nurses Association (DDNA), and it serves to validate a nurse’s expertise and distinguish them within the field.
DDNA developed this certification to create additional standards amidst the growing disabilities specialty. The credential is available for registered nurses (RNs) and licensed practical/vocational nurses (LPNs and LVNs). RNs list this credential as CDDN, while LPNs will list it as DDC (Developmental Disabilities Certified).
Nurses in this area possess many specialty skills and must be competent in the following tasks:
- Research
- Assessment
- Consultation
- Diagnostic testing
- Giving direct care to patients
- Counseling
- Training, educating, and supervising other staff
- Training and educating laypeople
- Developing and implementing Individualized Service or Education Plans (ISPs or IEPs)
- Case management and service coordinating
- Quality assurance
- Recordkeeping and documentation
- Coordinating health-related services and appointments
- Health consumer advocacy
- Program development and implementation
Benefits of Specialty Certifications for Nurses
Certifications like this one are not a requirement for most disability nursing roles, but they can help improve your career and patient care. Research shows that certified nurses have higher job satisfaction, and their patients experience improved safety outcomes. Plus, organizations may offer compensation bonuses for certified nurses, so going the extra mile could help you earn more as a nurse.
How to Earn CDDN: 4 Steps
Ready to become a certified developmental disabilities nurse? To do so, you’ll need to complete the eligibility requirements, submit all application forms, pay the fees, and pass an exam. We’ve broken down the process in the steps below.
Step 1: Understand Eligibility Requirements
To qualify for this credential, you’ll need at least 4,000 practice hours in developmental disabilities nursing as an RN, LPN, or LVN within the past five years. Practice in the following areas can count towards this requirement:
- Clinical nursing care of those with developmental disabilities in a community or institutional setting
- Nurse administration, education, or consultation in a developmental disabilities program
- Nursing in an expanded role in a developmental disabilities institution or community setting
Additionally, the DDNA can review practice in other areas on a case-by-case basis to see if you qualify. Please note that family care will not meet the practice requirement.
Step 2: Apply for Certification
First, create a DDNA account to get started, and complete the online certification exam application. You’ll need to submit these forms:
- Information form
- Copy of your nursing license
- Code of Ethics agreement
- Employment verification form
- Job descriptions
- Brochure or program outline
- Current nursing resume or curriculum vitae
There are two separate fees for this credential — the initial fee when you apply, and an additional exam fee when you schedule the test. You’ll also need to be a member to earn certification. The initial application fees are as follows:
| Member Status | Check or Money Order | Credit Card |
|---|---|---|
| Current DDNA Members | $100 | $401.50 |
| New Members | $200 | $209.00 |
You’ll receive an email once your application is approved, allowing you to set your exam date. Group exam fees are an additional $250, and individual exam fees are $150. Once you’re approved, you have a window of two years to complete the certification exam.
Step 3: Pass the Certification Exam
The certification exam covers the entire lifespan of developmental disability nursing, so be prepared to answer questions about both adult and pediatric care. You’ll need to know about the following areas:
- Common syndromes and conditions
- Seizure care
- Delegation
- Common medications
- Common health problems, signs, symptoms, and treatments
- Common laws affecting the rights of people with developmental disabilities
- Common laboratory tests and values
If you’re looking for review resources, you might attend the in-person certification exam boot camp, which is offered at the DDNA’s annual education conference. You can also review the practice questions on the certification page and consider purchasing the Practice Standards and Medication Management textbooks.
Once you take the exam, wait six to eight weeks for your results to be posted online. You should also receive a physical letter in the mail from DDNA around this time.
Step 4: Maintain Your Credential
Maintaining this credential requires keeping your DDNA membership active, as well as renewing your certification. Memberships must be renewed annually, while certifications renew every two years. You can find your renewal date on your certification card and your membership date on your DDNA account page.
DDNA members in good standing will pay $100 for renewals, while expired DDNA members will pay $200. Additionally, there is a $50 late fee if your renewal forms are postmarked past your certification expiration date, and $100 if you’re six months late or more.
FAQs about CDDN Certification
How much do learning disability nurses make in the US?
Some sources report that nurses in the developmental disability field earn an average of about $80,000 annually. What you earn as a disability nurse will depend on your experience, location, and job area.
How long does it take to become a developmental disabilities nurse?
Becoming a registered nurse takes between two and four years. You’ll need to complete a nursing degree (either an ADN or BSN), pass the National Council Licensure Exam, and gain experience in this specialty before you can pursue certification. If you choose to pursue the LPN route, you could complete your education and licensure requirements in as little as a year.
Where do developmental disability nurses work?
These nurses can work in a variety of areas, including the following:
- School nursing
- Pediatric units
- Long-term care
- Group homes
- Skilled nursing facilities (SNFs)
- Clinics and outpatient offices
Related Certifications
- Certified Case Manager (CCM)
- Certified Dementia Practitioner (CDP)
- Psychiatric Nurse Certification (PMH-BC)
- Nurse Coach Certification (NC-BC)
Find Nursing Roles Today
Looking for ways to boost your career? CDDN certification isn’t the only way to do it. IntelyCare has roles in developmental disability nursing and other specialty areas. Learn more with personalized job notifications.