NACCHO has worked with the CDC Division of STD Prevention, the National Coalition of STD Directors and other national partners to develop a national certification program for disease intervention specialists (DIS). The effort aimed to strengthen and formalize the role of DIS, expand the recognition of DIS and the profession, ensure adequate training, and improve service provision and health outcomes. Learn more about this project here. 

In 2026, the Certified in Disease Intervention (CDI) exam will be released. It covers 6 domains and is designed to assess competence and essential knowledge, and serves as a standardized benchmark. To support disease intervention professionals to prepare for the exam and advance their skills, NACCHO is hosting a Disease Intervention Community of Practice (DI CoP). The DI CoP brings together 30 DI professionals to explore the core CDI exam domains, share best practices, and help develop resources that strengthen the DI workforce across the US.

Additionally, NACCHO remains committed to highlighting the important role that Disease Intervention Specialists play in preventing and managing cases of STIs and other infectious diseases in their local communities. As their workload continues to grow and STI cases surge, it is more important than ever to support and strengthen the DIS workforce. Read NACCHO’s recommendations about what this workforce needs to thrive.