Credentialing Exam Information
The 2008 Dietary Manager Credentialing Exam will be offered on:
Saturday, October 25, 2008
Application Deadline: August 15, 2008
Early Bird Deadline: July 15, 2008
Background
The CDM®, CFPP® Credentialing Exam—offered since 1985—is part of the competency assurance program for dietary managers. A Certified Dietary Manager, Certified Food Protection Professional (CDM®, CFPP®) has the education and experience to competently perform the responsibilities of a dietary manager and has proven this by passing a nationally recognized credentialing exam and fulfilling the requirements needed to maintain certified status. CDM, CFPPs work together with registered dietitians to provide quality nutritional care for clients in a variety of non-commercial settings and perform a myriad of specialized tasks.
The Certifying Board for Dietary Managers (CBDM) is responsible for the certification program, but the actual exam is conducted by ACT, Inc., a nationally-recognized professional testing firm. The certification program is accredited by the National Commission for Certifying Agencies (NCCA).
Application Process
Dietary Managers Association® (DMA®) reviews each application to verify information and documentation and to determine eligibility. (If you are a student, we will not process your application until we receive documentation that your coursework has been completed.) Please keep a photocopy of your application in case of lost mail, or send the form via certified mail. If applying by fax, do not also mail the application; you will be registered and charged twice. If your application is incomplete, DMA will return it to you for completion, with a deadline for returning materials. After your application is successfully processed, you will receive a confirmation letter within two weeks. If you have not received registration confirmation within two weeks, contact DMA at 800.323.1908.
About three weeks before your scheduled exam date, you will also receive a test site admission letter confirming the exam location. You will need to bring this with you the day of the exam.
Exam Eligibility Requirements
You are eligible to take the exam if you meet the requirements of one of the four pathways outlined below.
Pathway I: for candidates who have graduated from a DMA-approved dietary training program. You must submit a copy of your certificate of course completion, or your name must appear on the official graduate listing that is sent to DMA by the college/school.
Pathway II: for candidates who hold a two-year or four-year college degree in foodservice management or nutrition, two-year culinary arts degree, or two-year hotel-restaurant management degree. Please submit your transcripts with your exam application.
Pathway III: for graduates of a state approved or other approved 90-hour foodservice course, who also have two years of institutional foodservice management experience. You must submit employment information with your application.
Pathway IV: for current and former members of the U.S. military who have graduated from an approved military dietary manager training program and have attained the grade of E-5. You must submit your documentation of military training and pay grade when applying under Pathway IV to determine eligibility. Note that your exam fee may be reimbursable through the Montgomery GI Bill; visit www.gibill.va.gov for information.
Denial of Exam Eligibility
You may be denied a seat for the exam if you:
- Fail to meet the eligibility pathways
- Falsify any information on the exam application
- Violate registration or examination rules
- Fail to report address changes to DMA, resulting in your not receiving application forms or information crucial for the exam
- Fail to submit proper documentation within the required time frame
The Certifying Board for Dietary Managers (CBDM) provides applicants who are denied eligibility an opportunity to appeal to an impartial decision-maker: the Appeals Committee of DMA.
Exam Scoring & Results
On the day of the exam, you will mark responses on a separate answer sheet that is scored by computer. Only responses marked on the answer sheet will be scored. You should answer all questions, even if you are uncertain of the correct response. Full credit will be given for each correct answer. Items left blank or marked with more than one answer will be treated as completely wrong answers.
Exam results
The exam is scored on a pass/fail basis. ACT, Inc. will mail your exam results to you approximately six weeks after the exam. DMA will mail information about the CDM, CFPP certification program to all who pass the test. Pass rates for the exam will be available on the DMA website after the results are in.
If you do not pass
If you do not pass the exam, you will automatically receive an application for the next available test. (You will need to register and pay the application fee each time you take the exam.) You may continue to take the exam until you pass. Beginning in 2007 the exam has been consolidated into a one-part test. Examinees who did not pass both parts of the previous two-part exam prior to 2007 will need to take the consolidated exam to become certified.
Re-grading request
If you feel there has been a scoring error, you may submit a written request for re-grading within 60 days of receiving your scores. The request must be accompanied by a $35 re-grading fee and submitted to Act, Inc., CDM Exam (82), 301 Act Drive, Iowa City, IA 52243. If original scoring was inaccurate, the $35 fee will be refunded. Appeals will be reviewed by the CBDM, and all board decisions will be final.
Becoming Certified
After you pass the exam, you need to activate your certification so you can begin using the CDM, CFPP credential. At the time you pass the exam: If you do not yet belong to DMA, you will receive a letter from DMA with instructions and an invitation to join for a discount on your certification fee. (Membership is not mandatory.)
If you are a Student Member, you will receive a letter from DMA with instructions and an invitation to upgrade your membership and enjoy a discount on your certification fee.
If you are an Active or Associate Member, your certification will be activated immediately and you will receive a certificate by mail.
Maintaining your credential
Once you become certified, you will need to maintain your credential. For details, please visit: www.dmaonline.org/CE/maintain.shtml.
Refunds & Transfers
All cancellations, transfers or changes must be submitted in writing to DMA.
- If you cancel 30 days or more before the exam, the exam fee—less a $50 processing charge—will be refunded.
- If you cancel 7-30 days before the exam, half the exam fee will be refunded, or you may pay a $25 fee to transfer your application to the next scheduled exam.
- If you cancel 7 days or less before the exam, there is no refund.
- If you submit a documented excused absence from the exam for medical or personal reasons, you may transfer your registration within 30 days to the next scheduled exam. You will need to pay a $25 transfer fee.
- You may transfer to the next scheduled exam ONCE ONLY, and must do so within 30 days after your scheduled exam date. A written request for transfer and a $25 transfer fee is required. In the event of a transfer, you must sit for the next scheduled exam, or all fees paid will be forfeited.
- If you do not show up for the exam, no refund will be made.
Exam Day Information
Please report to your scheduled test site by the time indicated on your admission letter and bring a picture I. D. along with the admission letter. You must also bring two or three #2 lead pencils for marking the answer sheet. You may not bring papers, briefcases, or packages into the exam room, but a battery-operated calculator with no print device is permitted.
The exam will run from 8:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. The entire exam must be completed within the time allotment. Individuals who arrive late may not be admitted to the exam. (If admitted, they will not be granted extra time to complete the exam.) If you are traveling to an unfamiliar area for testing, please allow adequate time to find the testing facility on the morning of the exam. Accommodations and travel arrangements are your own responsibility.
Important! Bring to the Exam:
- Admission letter from ACT, Inc.
- Picture I. D.
- 2-3 #2 lead pencils
- Battery operated calculator with no print device (optional)
Equal Opportunity for Education
The Certifying Board for Dietary Managers makes every reasonable effort to accommodate exam applicants with disabilities, as defined by the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990. Testing accommodations are available to applicants who have diagnosed physical and learning disabilities and provide appropriate documentation.
Applicants requesting testing accommodations are required to follow these guidelines:
- Submit with the completed examination application a written request for testing accommodations. Include a detailed description of the diagnosed disability and accommodations needed to take the exam. In addition, supporting written documentation from the diagnosing physician or other licensed professional detailing the diagnosis is required and should be submitted with the application materials.
- If extended testing time is sought, the applicant must specify the precise amount of additional time required (i.e., time and one-half, double time, etc.).
- Applicants requesting accommodations should submit application materials and documentation as far in advance of the published deadline as possible, to allow sufficient time to make approved testing arrangements.
Please note: The exam is only administered in English, and there are no provisions for translation.
Questions regarding the application and exam should be directed to DMA at (800) 323-1908. For questions relating to exam sites, please call ACT, Inc. at (319) 341-2500.