Eligibility

Background

The CDM 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 the nationally-recognized CDM Credentialing Exam and fulfilling the requirements needed to maintain certified status. CDM, CFPPs work together with Registered Dietitian Nutritionists (RDNs) 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 the credentialing agency responsible for establishing and upholding policies for and the administration of the CDM, CFPP Certification Program. CBDM has autonomy in decision-making for all essential certification policies and activities as demonstrated in the CBDM Policies and Procedures Manual and in accordance with CBDM bylaws.

The CDM Credentialing Exam is administered by PSI Services, LLC (PSI). A survey is conducted and analyzed every five years, in which CDM, CFPPs are asked to review the exam content outline and identify the percentage of time spent performing tasks related to each category of the exam. The CBDM then utilizes the survey results to finalize the exam content outline, and develops the exam based on this outline. The CDM, CFPP Certification Program is accredited by the National Commission for Certifying Agencies (NCCA). The Exam Content Outline is available here.

The CDM Credentialing Exam is intended to measure the knowledge and abilities of individuals who wish to enter, continue and/or advance in the discipline of managing and/or directing food service operations. Candidates for the CDM Credentialing Exam must show verifiable evidence of meeting formal education requirements (including coursework in nutrition and foodservice management) as well as varying levels of non-commercial foodservice management experience required to competently perform the responsibilities of a Certified Dietary Manager.

Earning and maintaining the CDM, CFPP credential demonstrates to employers, surveyors and the public, that CDMs have the knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform the responsibilities as included in the Exam Content Outline.

Exam Eligibility Requirements

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

Pathway I: for graduates of an ANFP-approved foodservice manager training program. Candidate’s name must appear on the official graduate list 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 full-time non-commercial foodservice management work 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 and online instructional portion of an ANFP-approved foodservice manager training program, who also have two years of full-time non-commercial foodservice management work experience.** Candidates must submit a copy of a certificate of course completion, their name must appear on the official graduate listing that is sent to ANFP by the college/school and they must 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. Documentation must show completion of a minimum of one course in nutrition and two courses in foodservice management. 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 full-time non-commercial foodservice management work 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.

*All coursework must be completed through an accredited post-secondary institution and a passing grade of C or higher earned.

**Non-commercial foodservice operations serve food as support within an institution such as hospitals, nursing homes, schools, military, correctional facilities, or community feeding programs and are typically subsidized by the institution from which they operate. They have third-party oversight by agencies such as The Joint Commission (TJC), local and/or state health departments, Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), etc.

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

Denial of Exam Eligibility

You may be denied a seat for the exam if you:

Fail to meet one of the current eligibility pathways.
Falsify any information on the examination application.
Violate registration or examination rules. Disciplinary actions will be determined by the CBDM on a per-case basis.
Fail to report address or e-mail changes to ANFP or CBDM resulting in you not receiving information crucial for the exam.
Fail to submit proper documentation within the required time frame.

Applicants who are denied eligibility have an opportunity to appeal to the Certifying Board for Dietary Managers (CBDM). To submit an appeal, you must do so in accordance with CBDM policy and you must use the CBDM Appeal Form. For more information about the CBDM Appeal policy, refer to the CBDM Guide to Maintaining Your Credentials.

Access the CBDM Appeal Form

The CBDM will convene to hear appeals quarterly. Deadlines for submitting appeals are March 31, June 30, September 30, and December 31.

The decision of the CBDM will be conveyed in writing to the appellant via e-mail and hard copy letter to the address on file in their record within 15 days of the CBDM's quarterly meeting after the above deadlines. If the appellant wishes to appeal the CBDM decision, appeals must be submitted in writing to the CBDM Appeals Committee within 15 days of the date that the CBDM's decision is sent via e-mail to the appellant at the e-mail address on file in their record. Appeals may be sent to appeals@CBDMonline.org or CBDM Appeals Committee, 406 Surrey Woods Dr., St. Charles, IL 60174. All decisions of the CBDM Appeals Committee are final.

Grant Opportunities

NFEF is proud to support grant opportunities for eligible 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 qualify for the exam and complete the exam registration process and an additional 90 days to register for the exam with PSI, the examination services provider. For more information about the CDM Credentialing Exam eligibility and exam administration policy and procedure, refer to the CDM Credentialing Exam Candidate Handbook and Application.

Learn more at www.NFEFoundation.org.