A: Complete one Subsequent Approval Form for each program for which you are requesting CE. Include the required documentation for the CE category you’ve marked, such as meeting agenda and proof of attendance. (Please see the Subsequent Approval Form for complete instructions.) Mail or fax your completed form with attachments to the Certifying Board for Dietary Managers (CBDM); see address and fax number on the form.

Q: Can I complete and submit my Subsequent Approval Forms online?

A: No, sorry. Mail or fax is required, with one exception: If you complete an electronic CE offering from DMA, you will be given a Web link to online CE reporting. This applies to electronic editions of DMA Master Track titles you purchase in the DMA Marketplace, DMA online courses that are approved for CE, and online DMA articles approved for CE that are so designated on the DMA website.

Q: What types of educational activities can I turn in for CE hours on a Subsequent Approval Form?

A: Some examples include workshops, conferences, seminars, college courses, journal clubs, online courses, teleconferences, and webinars.

Q: Can I report Food Shows for CE hrs?

A: You can earn a maximum of 4 CE hours per year from viewing exhibits at food shows. (A “year” runs from 6/1 through 5/31.) A copy of a badge from the food show, or other proof of attendance, as well as a brochure showing the amount of time allocated to the food show, must be included with your request for food show CE hours.

Q: Do I report an inservice program for CE hrs?

A: If you attend an inservice program at your workplace relating to nutrition, management, healthcare, sanitation, and/or food safety, we encourage you to submit this with a Subsequent Approval Form to request CE. Information on content and learning objectives and a copy of the sign-up sheet showing topic, date, and timeframes (or verification of attendance from your employer with topic, date and timeframes) must be included with your request. Business portions of meetings, training employees, or new employee orientations do not qualify for CE. If you present an inservice to your employees, this does not qualify for CE.

Q: Can I earn CE for coursework?

A: If you are enrolled in a school, a course for college credit, or an academic certificate program, and wish to obtain credit:

Submit a Subsequent Approval form to the CBDM within 4 months of completing the course.
Submit a transcript of credits — or the certificate of completion.
Write a brief paragraph about how the course contributed to your improved job performance.

Q: What types of programs are considered “Sanitation and Food Safety”?

A: Programs that address safe food handling, infection control, time and temperature regulations, HACCP principles, ServSafe training, and foodservice sanitation topics may be eligible for sanitation CE. DMA offers you many sanitation CE options, such as DMA Master Track titles in Food Safety, and the ongoing Food Protection Connection articles available in Dietary Manager magazine and on the DMA website.

Q: What happens if I don’t meet the requirements for CE and the annual maintenance fee?

A: If you do not maintain your credential through required CE and fees, you will no longer be certified. You will need to reinstate your credential. You will only be eligible to earn CE once you have completed the reinstatement process.

Q: How do I know if my CE hours were approved?

A: The Education Department will inform you if your request for subsequent approval was denied for any reason. You can check your CE hours in DMA Member Login, or call DMA to check your hours, 800.323.1908.

Q: How do I know if I am short CE?

A: In January and again in March the year your 3-year qualifying period ends, you will receive a reminder by mail if you are short CE hours. However, DMA strongly recommends that you keep track of your CE throughout your qualifying period by contacting DMA or checking your CE report online.

Q: How can I check my CE status online?

A: Enter Member Login on the DMA website at www.dmaonline.org. First-time Web users, please register for Member Login by going to https://dma1.ggnet.net/iMISpublic/Core/CreateAccount.aspx and complete the online registration form. Once you have registered for Member Login, you can view your CE report immediately. You can then login again to view your CE report as often as you’d like.

IMPORTANT: Always keep a copy of everything you submit for continuing education hours.