Who is Eligible

Credentialed helping professionals who provide care to patients and clients diagnosed with dementia and have specialized training in the care of these patients, including:

1. Personal Care Assistant
2. Occupational Therapist
3. Certified Nursing Assistant
4. Physical Therapist
5. Occupational Therapy Assistant
6. Physical Therapist Assistant
7. Registered Nurse
8. And more!

Learn more about who can become certified from our detailed list of eligible ECDCS professionals.

Training Requirements

A minimum of 6 hours of continuing education in specific dementia care topics. Learn more about ECDCS certification training requirements.

Pre-approved, 3rd party trainings that meet the training requirements for ECDCS certification include:

1. Alzheimer's Disease & Other Dementias Video Training by PESI - Certification Fee Included!
2. The Aging Brain: Assessments, Treatments & Interventions Video Training by PESI
3. Dementia and the Aging Brain Online Course by PESI
4. Alzheimer's Disease & Other Dementias Certification Online Course by PESI - Certification Fee Included!
5. Comprehensive Geriatric and Dementia Care Certification: An Evergreen Certified Dementia Care Specialist (ECDCS) Training Course - Certification Fee Included!
6. Dementia Care Specialist (ECDCS) Certification Course: Complete Care for Geriatric Patients - Certification Fee Included!
7. Addressing Geriatric Challenges & Supporting Families: A Dementia Certification Training by PESI - Certification Included!

Wondering if a course meets the requirements for ECDCS certification? Submit a copy of or link to the course title, speaker, outline and learning objectives to info@evergreencertifications.com for review.

Please note that Evergreen Certifications does not offer continuing education, all training must be purchased directly through the accredited training organization. Training is not included in the certification fee.

Application Process

1. Complete a qualifying training
2. Remit your initial application payment of 99.99 USD online
3. Upload the following documents to your account:
   1. A copy of the candidate’s professional license
   2. Evidence of completion of qualifying training, in the form of a CE or completion certificate

Renewal

To maintain ECDCS certification, a renewal is required. After your initial 1-year certification, you have the option to renew for 1, 2 or 3 years. A 1-year renewal requires 6 clock hours of dementia care-focused training since you were last certified; a 2-year renewal requires 12 clock hours, and a 3-year renewal requires 18 hours.

Sample ECDCS renewal trainings include:

1. Dementia and The Aging Brain by PESI
2. Complete Care for Geriatric Patients by PESI
3. Effective Interventions for Geriatric Patients by PESI
4. Dementia: Cognitive Rehabilitation Strategies for Effective Evaluation & Treatment by PESI
5. Problem-Solving Challenging Behaviors in Dementia: Person-Centered & Non-Pharmacologic Intervention Plans You Can Use the Next day! by PESI
6. Pedagogy Dementia Training Bundle
7. Alzheimer’s Disease: Mysteries and Possibilities by Allegra Learning Solutions
8. Alzheimers Disease – A Deeper Understanding by CE-CLASSES.COM
9. Alzheimer's Disease by cnaZone
10. Alzheimer's Disease: Prevention, Treatment, Support, and Public Engagement by Quantum Units Education
11. Dementia in American Indian and Alaska Native Communities by Quantum Units Education
12. Lewy Body Dementia by Quantum Units Education
13. Neuropsychiatric Symptoms in Alzheimer's by Quantum Units Education
14. The Dementias by Quantum Units Education

Renewal CE content cannot be the same content used for prior renewal or initial certification

Renewal Process

1. Complete a qualifying training
2. Upload the following documents to your account:
   1. A copy of the candidate’s professional license
   2. Evidence of completion of qualifying training, in the form of a CE or completion certificate
3. Remit your ECDCS renewal fee online

Learn more about renewing your ECDCS certification with Evergreen Certifications..