CE Audit FAQs

Q: What is the purpose of the CE Audit?

A: The audit and all CBDM policies are designed to uphold the integrity of the credential and help CDM, CFPPs gain a professional edge with continuing education.

Q: Can I get an extension on completing and reporting CE hours if I am approaching the three-year deadline?

Based on the policy updated due to the COVID-19 situation: Credential holders should do their best to complete and report the minimum required CE hours by the end of their three-year recertification period. Those who do not complete and report the minimum requirement of CE hours will be automatically selected for the CE Audit. After a review of records is submitted, candidates may be given an extension of up to 90 days (November 30), to earn the needed CE and submit required documentation. New CE submitted is subject to review during the CE Audit process.

To determine if you are eligible for an extension and learn more about criteria for extension eligibility and required actions, visit the CE Audit Extension Information webpage. You may also contact 800.323.1908, select option 1, or info@CBDMonline.org and direct your inquiry to your assigned auditor.

Q: How are individuals selected for the CE audit?

A: CDM, CFPP credential holders who are at the end of their three-year recertification period and have reported the minimum requirement of 45 CE hours and upload the required documentation for each reported activity, including nine CE hours in Sanitation and Safety and beginning June 1, 2019, one CE hour pertaining to Professional Ethics, are randomly selected for the CE Audit.

The CBDM made a policy change in January 2019 requiring CDM, CFPPs to meet all CE requirements (45 total continuing education hours, including 9 Sanitation/Safety CE hours and 1 Professional Ethics CE hour) by May 31 of the last year of their three-year recertification period. Individuals not meeting this requirement, would have their CDM, CFPP credential terminated. This policy was to be implemented as of May 31, 2020.

Due to the current COVID-19 pandemic and the unprecedented challenges that we find our professional dealing with, the CBDM has made the decision to postpone implementation of this policy. Therefore, current recertification policies will remain in place.

What does this mean for me? For individuals whose three-year recertification period ends this year, i.e., May 31, 2020, your certification will not be terminated for not meeting the CE hour requirements. You will automatically be placed in the CE Audit process. Notification of your selection for CE Audit will be emailed to you at the email address on file in your record. To avoid missing critical communications about required actions and deadlines, make sure your contact information in your record is accurate and current. Failure to meet all recertification and CE Audit requirements will result in your certification being terminated.

Watch your emails for updates to CBDM polices or other matters regarding the CDM, CFPP Certification Program. You may also contact CBDM at info@CBDMonline.org or 800.323.1908, select option 1 (Monday - Friday, 8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. CST).

Q: What is my certification status during the CE Audit?

A: During the CE Audit process, certified status will remain active as long as annual certification fees are paid up to date. If certification fees are not current, you will be removed from the CE Audit and your certification will be terminated.

Q: How can I check how many CE hours I have reported?

A: Log in to your profile online at www.CBDMonline.org and select “My Certification” from the menu options. You will see the CE activity that you reported and the required documentation that you uploaded. You will also see your dates for your current three-year recertification period.

Meeting the CE requirement alone will not result in you passing the CE Audit. All required documentation must be submitted. If a program shows "Pending Documentation," you have not met the requirements for all documentation. Your CE Auditor can address questions regarding what you need to submit. Learn more about the certification and audit status categories here.

Q: What happens if I am unable to provide all the documentation needed for the CE Audit?

A: Credential holders who failed to keep documentation should do their best to obtain it from the program/education provider/sponsor and electronically upload the required documentation to validate their attendance/participation in an educational program. If unable to obtain and upload the required documentation via the My Certification page, you will need to complete new educational programs to make up the difference for educational programs for which the required documentation is missing and the CE hours cannot be submitted.

Q: What documents are acceptable as proof of attendance?

A: Required documentation varies by education program type and can include certificate of attendance, program materials, or other information provided by the program sponsor that verify program date, length, subject matter and hours awarded (agenda, program outline, handouts, meeting summary, etc.). Additional required documentation may include a brief summary of purpose and evaluation of what you learned and how it applies to the industry. Refer to the CBDM Guide To Maintaining Your CDM, CFPP Credential for more details.

Q: How do I submit required documentation for the CE activities?

A: Effective June 1, 2019, CDM, CFPPs are required to submit all CE hours electronically and upload required documentation via the My Certification page by the end of their three-year recertification period. Physical, e-mailed, or faxed documentation sent to CBDM will not be accepted or returned. Individuals selected for the CE Audit will receive e-mail communication from CBDM (to the e-mail address on file in their record) on required actions. It is the credential holder's responsibility to ensure that all contact information in their ANFP record is current and accurate. ANFP and CBDM are not responsible for missed communications due to inaccurate e-mail or mailing addresses, or for e-mail messages not accessed from a Spam folder.

To ensure CE activities are recognized and recorded to your record, please do not submit CE activities until at least 24 hours after your certification has been activated or reinstated.

Log in at www.CBDMonline.org
Under "My Account Links," go to “My Certification”.
Select “Report CE”.
Complete all pertinent fields for your CE activity. If it is a Prior Approved program, be sure to select “Prior Approved” for the program type and enter the CBDM Approved provider number that is listed on your certificate of completion. Provide all other requested information.
Select "Add Document." Upload all required documentation as specified. For Prior Approved programs, you will need to upload the certificate of completion. Select "Save" after uploading each document.
Select “Submit” after uploading the required documents for all CE activities reported. "Submitted " status will show for programs for which the CE hours were submitted and required documentation was uploaded electronically.
Continue this process for each CE activity that you have completed and for which you wish to submit for the current recertification period.

Q: What happens if the CE hours I reported are not accepted during the CE Audit?

A: You may be eligible for an extension of up to 90 days (November 30) to make up the CE hours that are deemed unacceptable for reasons including not providing the required documentation or the program being a duplicate. Learn more about eligibility for an extension here. These new programs must be reported and required documentation uploaded via the My Certification page by November 30. Your record will be CE Audited again. If CE Audit requirements are not met by November 30, your certification will be terminated. To be eligible for certification again, you must meet a current pathway of eligibility, submit an exam application with fees for review and approval, pass the CDM Credentialing Exam, and activate the certification within one year of passing the exam.

Q: What happens if I lose my credential because I failed the CE Audit?

A: Individuals who fail the CE Audit and lose their credential must qualify for the exam under a current pathway of eligibility, submit an exam application with fees for review and approval, pass the CDM Credentialing Exam, and activate their certification within one year of passing the exam to be eligible to become certified as a CDM, CFPP again.

Q: Who can I speak with about the process if I disagree with the outcome of the CE Audit?

A: You may appeal the decision and must do so within 15 days of the e-mailed notice of the CE Audit outcome. You must submit your appeal in writing to CBDM using the CBDM Appeal Form. The form requires that you provide detailed information that presents a compelling case for why you would like CBDM to reconsider their decision and the specific actions that you will take if you win your appeal. You may submit a specific appeal only once during your three-year recertification period.

Q: Will my employer be notified of my current certification status?

A: Employers will not be notified by CBDM and certified status will remain active during the audit as long as certification fees are paid up to date. CBDM will not proactively notify employers of CDM, CFPP credential holders at any time regarding an individual's status (active, inactive, terminated, etc.). However, employers may become aware of your status via our online credential verification system.

Q: What if I pay my dues and certification fees, but I don’t pass the CE Audit?

A: Certified individuals who do not pass the CE Audit will be refunded their current year certification fees about 60 days after the CE Audit process is finalized. ANFP membership dues will not be refunded.

Q: Will I lose my job for not having the CDM, CFPP credential?

A: This depends on state regulations and requirements of your employer. Check with your employer.