Dietary Manager and Team

Eligibility

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 a nationally-recognized professional testing firm. A survey is conducted and analyzed every five years, in which CDM, CFPPs are asked to review the exam content outline and suggest a percentage of weight for each category of the exam. The CBDM then utilizes the survey results to finalize the outline, and each exam is developed based on this blueprint. The certification program is accredited by the National Commission for Certifying Agencies (NCCA).

Exam Eligibility Requirements

You are eligible to take the exam if you meet the requirements of one of the five pathways outlined below.

Pathway I: for graduates of an ANFP-approved foodservice manager training program. Candidates must submit a copy of certificate of course completion, and their name must appear on the official graduate listing that is sent to ANFP by the college/school.

Pathway II: for graduates of a two-year, four-year or greater, college degree in foodservice management, nutrition, culinary arts, or hotel-restaurant management. Candidates must submit a copy of their transcript* with exam application. Transcript requirements must include a minimum of one course in nutrition and two courses in foodservice management.

Pathway III(a): for graduates of a comprehensive, minimum 90-hour, foodservice course curriculum, who also have two years of non-commercial foodservice management experience. Candidates must submit a copy of their transcript* and employment verification with exam application. Transcript requirements must include a minimum of one course in nutrition and two courses in foodservice management.

Pathway III(b): for graduates of the classroom portion of an ANFP-approved foodservice manager training program, who also have two years of non-commercial foodservice management experience. Candidates must submit a copy of certificate of course completion, their name must appear on the official graduate listing that is sent to ANFP by the college/school and submit employment verification with exam 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. Candidates must submit their documentation of military training and pay grade when applying under Pathway IV to determine eligibility. Note that exam fee may be reimbursable through the Montgomery GI Bill; visit www.gibill.va.gov for information.

Pathway V: for graduates with an alternate two-year, four-year or higher degree. Candidates must have a minimum of five years of non-commercial foodservice management experience. Candidates must submit a copy of their transcript* and employment verification with exam application. Transcript requirements must include a minimum of one course in nutrition and two courses in foodservice.

*All coursework must be completed through an accredited post-secondary institution.

If you have any questions regarding the eligibility pathways, please contact Professional Development Services at 800.323.1908 or at info@CBDMonline.org.

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 ANFP, 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 ANFP.

Grant Opportunities

NFEF is proud to support grant opportunities for nutrition and foodservice professionals and students. The Certification Exam Grant will be awarded in the form of a $399 credit and will be set up on the recipient's online account at www.ANFPonline.org. If selected for this grant, the recipient will have 90 days from the notification date to complete the exam registration process and an additional 90 days to register for the exam with AMP (Applied Measurement Professionals, Inc.).

Learn more at www.NFEFoundation.org.