Certified in Disease Intervention (CDI) Overview

Recognize the expertise behind disease intervention.

The Certified in Disease Intervention (CDI) credential validates the knowledge and skills disease intervention professionals use every day to protect communities and improve public health. Built for professionals working across infectious disease areas, the CDI establishes a national standard for the essential work of disease intervention.

Whether your work includes interviewing, case management, field services, outreach, surveillance, data collection, or outbreak response, the CDI gives you a way to demonstrate your expertise and commitment to the profession.

EXAM OVERVIEW

FEE: $385, before any discounts
FORMAT: 120 multiple-choice, single answer questions
TIME: 3 hours
LANGUAGE: English

Certification Process

Step 1: Determine Your Eligibility

To sit for the CDI Certification exam, an individual must have at least one year of experience in a role where the primary purpose is infectious disease intervention.
Activities that qualify as infectious disease intervention experience for the purposes of the CDI include: Performing case investigation interviews with people diagnosed with reportable infectious diseases for the purposes of identifying risk factors, eliciting contacts, and referring for appropriate services. Collecting surveillance data through disease investigations. Contact tracing or partner services to identify, locate, notify, and refer partners or contacts for appropriate testing, treatment, and prevention services. Conducting field investigations to locate cases or contacts for interview or notification. Providing field-based testing and treatment services for reportable infectious diseases. Planning and conducting outreach activities in community and non-traditional settings to respond to outbreaks of infectious diseases. Collaborating with medical and social service providers for the management of confirmed or suspected cases of infectious disease. Participating in emergency preparedness activities for infectious disease prevention and control.

To sit for the CDI Certification exam, an individual must have at least one year of experience in a role where the primary purpose is infectious disease intervention.

Activities that qualify as infectious disease intervention experience for the purposes of the CDI include:

Performing case investigation interviews with people diagnosed with reportable infectious diseases for the purposes of identifying risk factors, eliciting contacts, and referring for appropriate services.
Collecting surveillance data through disease investigations.
Contact tracing or partner services to identify, locate, notify, and refer partners or contacts for appropriate testing, treatment, and prevention services.
Conducting field investigations to locate cases or contacts for interview or notification.
Providing field-based testing and treatment services for reportable infectious diseases.
Planning and conducting outreach activities in community and non-traditional settings to respond to outbreaks of infectious diseases.
Collaborating with medical and social service providers for the management of confirmed or suspected cases of infectious disease.
Participating in emergency preparedness activities for infectious disease prevention and control.

In addition to one year of disease intervention experience as defined above, candidates must attest to having a minimum of a High School Diploma/GED or international equivalent (transcripts are not required)
HIGH SCHOOL DIPLOMA/GED

Step 2: Submit Your Application

Ready to earn your CDI? Before you apply, take a few minutes to make sure you’re ready for the certification process. Confirm your eligibility, review exam fees and available discounts, explore your testing options, and read the CDI Candidate Handbook for complete policies and requirements.

Then, submit your application through the CDI application portal. You’ll provide the required documentation for your eligibility pathway, including documentation of your education and relevant work experience. Applications are reviewed by NBPHE certification staff, so please allow at least two weeks for review.

Application Portal Reopens Soon

Step 3: Schedule Your Exam

Once your application has been accepted, it’s time to schedule your exam!

When the CDI exam applications reopen, it will be available year-round, 24/7/365, with no testing windows. Candidates can sit for the exam in person at a computer-based testing center, subject to testing center hours and appointment availability, or, if a testing center is not close to their location, schedule a Live Online Proctored exam based on available appointments.

View Testing Options

Step 4: Prepare for the Exam

The CDI assesses your skills and knowledge across six domains:

Planning and Case Analysis (20%)
Interviewing and Case Management (20%)
Field Services and Outreach (20%)
Surveillance and Data Collection (20%)
Collaboration (15%)
Outbreak Response and Emergency Preparedness (5%)

Resources include content outlines, an interactive study guide, sample questions, practice exams, flash cards, and review sessions led by subject matter experts.

View Study Resources

Step 5: Take the Exam

You’re ready! The CDI exam consists of 120 multiple-choice questions, with three hours to complete the exam. Before test day, review the exam-day requirements for your testing option and make sure you know what to expect. Once you’ve prepared, you’ll be ready to demonstrate your expertise on exam day! Candidates will receive reminder emails leading up to their exam day. Once you’ve prepared, you’ll be ready to demonstrate your expertise on exam day! Candidates will receive reminder emails leading up to their exam day.

View Exam Details in the FAQ

Review the CDI Candidate Handbook

Step 6: Recertification

The CDI certification demonstrates your knowledge and skills in disease intervention. Recertification, required every three years, helps ensure CDI professionals stay current with evolving practices in the field.

To maintain your CDI certification, you must earn 30 recertification credits every two years through eligible professional development activities.

Learn More about Recertification

Visit the Certification Portal, CertCentral

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