The Registered Nurse Certification in Developmental Disabilities Nursing (CDDN) was Initially developed in 1995, in collaboration with the National League for Nursing, and updated in 2003 by Health Education Systems, Inc. (HESI), which has now been purchased by Elsevier Publishing. It is the only certification program for registered nurses specializing in the field of developmental disabilities.

Developed in 2002, the LPN/LVN Certification Program (DDC) provides the only specialty certification for licensed practical/vocational nurses in the field of developmental disabilities. DDNA worked closely with Health Education Systems, Inc. (HESI) to formulate this specialty certification examination. HESI, a nationally recognized company known for its expertise in developing tests for nursing schools and regulatory agencies, was recently purchased by Elsevier Publishing, which will continue to offer the DDC exam.

RN Certification
LPN/LVN Certification
Renew RN Certification
Renew LPN/LVN Certification

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Certification eligibility is available to nurses who meet the qualification standards. Included in the requirements to qualify as an examination candidate are documentation of 4,000 hours (equivalent to two years full-time employment) of developmental disabilities nursing practice within the past five years and successful completion of the application process.

The certification process includes the following steps:

• Download an application: To download the PDF for the RN Certification, click here. To download the PDF for the LPN Certification, click here.
• Complete and submit application for review: Complete the application, including the required supporting documentation. If you are interested in a specific examination date, submit the application at least five weeks before that exam to allow sufficient processing time. Mail your application with to DDNA at P.O. Box 536489, Orlando, FL 32853-6489.
• Review outcome: If your application is deficient, you will be notified by e-mail and given the opportunity to correct the deficiency. Please be sure to include your correct e-mail address on the application forms, as we will use this to contact you. Once approved, you will be mailed a letter of approval and examination registration form. Your eligibility to take the certification exam is valid for two years from the time of the application review.
• Register for exam: Once your application is approved, you are eligible to sit for the exam. DDNA will mail you an exam registration form. There are two options for taking the exam:
  1. Group test option: The next group exam will be held at the MGM Grand Hotel at Foxwoods Resort on June 10th, immediately following DDNA's 16th Annual Education Conference. There will be two review sessions dedicated to certification preparation before the exam for conference attendees. Attendance at the conference is not included in your exam fee. The group exam fee is $250 for members and $300 for non-members. DDNA will mail you an exam registration form. Please complete the form and mail it with your check to: DDNA, PO Box 536489, Orlando, FL 32853-6489. It must be postmarked by May 15, 2008. Seating at the exam is limited. Upon receipt of your registration form and payment, DDNA will send you a written confirmation of your registration and information about taking the test at Foxwoods. There are no sitting fees for the group exam. On the day of the exam, you must bring the written confirmation of registration, your current nursing license (not a photocopy), and photo identification, such as a driver's license or passport.
  2. Local testing option: You may take the exam at a Prometric testing center near you. There are 400 centers in the United States, which are listed at: www.ddna.org/downloads/testing_sites.pdf. The local exam fee is $150 for members and $200 for non-members. Please send your completed exam registration form and application fee payable to: DDNA, PO Box 536489, Orlando, FL 32853-6489. Upon receipt of your completed registration form and payment, DDNA will send you written confirmation of your registration and inform Elsevier that you are eligible to take this exam.
     When you receive your written confirmation and are ready to schedule your exam appointment time, please submit an e-mail message to exameligibility@elsevier.com that contains your first name, middle initial, last name, address, city, state, zip, phone number, and email address. You will receive a confirmation notice from Elsevier indicating that you may now schedule your exam at a Prometric center. The notice contains instructions for using the Prometric online scheduling system or Prometric phone scheduling option to request your exam appointment time at a local testing center. Do not call any local testing center until you receive the confirmation notice and instructions from Elsevier; scheduling must be completed using the online or phone system, and cannot be handled at your local testing center. Prometric charges an additional fee of $175, payable by credit card using the online or phone system, to take the exam at their testing centers. (Note: This is not the application or the registration fee. It is a separate fee charged by Prometric that covers administration of the exam at your individually scheduled appointment time.) Carefully follow all directions provided to you by Prometric regarding your exam administration procedures. If you opt to take the exam at Prometric, you assume all responsibility for meeting their policies and requirements. DDNA cannot refund any monies paid by you to Prometric for your exam administration, and additional fees may be applied by Prometric if you re-scheduling your testing appointment times.
• Renewing your certification: You must renew your certification every two years. Verification of your ongoing work experience and continuing education in developmental disabilities nursing is required. To download the renewal form for RN Certification, click here. To download the renewal form for the LPN Certification, click here.

For Nurses

To be certified means you are competent in your chosen field and have attained a certain level of achievement. You understand and comply with the standards set forth by your professional organization, live by those standards professionally, and set an example of excellence. As a nursing professional, certification attests to your specialized knowledge in your chosen area of practice. Certification provides a way to demonstrate your experience, competence, and proficiency beyond that required for nursing licensure. As a nurse practicing in the field of developmental disabilities, certification also documents that you possess special knowledge and accesses you to expanded career opportunities and advancement. As a certified nurse you also benefit the profession of nursing, the specialty of developmental disabilities, and the people for whom you care.

For Employers

When you hire an RN or LPN/LVN who is certified in Developmental Disabilities Nursing, you can be assured that the certified nurse has experience in working with persons with developmental disabilities, has demonstrated a high degree of expertise in the field of DD Nursing, and maintains that level of expertise by completing ongoing continuing education specific to the field of DD Nursing. Clients generally leave programs or facilities for one of three reasons: dissatisfaction with services, needs that exceed program capabilities, decline in health or death. By having a certified nurse on staff, you can increase your clients' satisfaction with services, meet their complex nursing care needs, and help to ensure their health and quality of life. Having a CDDN or DDC can make all the difference!