Q: What activities qualify for CE hours?
A: Participation in educational programs on topics related to Nutrition, Foodservice, Personnel and Communications, Health Care, Sanitation and Safety, and Business Operations qualify for CE. Also, the program must be at least 30 minutes long. Please see the CBDM Guide To Maintaining Your CDM, CFPP Credential for additional information on qualifying CE activities.
Q: Why does the status say submitted for some of my activities?
A: All CE hours submitted and required documentation uploaded electronically via the My Certification page will show “submitted” status unless the education is a Prior Approved program for which your certificate of completion shows a CBDM approved number and was reported as a Prior Approved program type.
Q: How many hours can I report for ServSafe?
A: It depends on the length of the course as verified in a notarized letter from the instructor on company letterhead or the class agenda. CE credit is not allowed for breaks, lunches, or the exam times Report the CE hours and upload required documentation via the My Certification page. Required documentation varies by program type. Examples of required documentation include the course outline or agenda with date, location and objectives; certificate of completion from the course (not exam); and a brief paragraph describing why the program was a valuable learning experience and how it impacts your current or future professional practice.
Q: Do I need to enter any online ANFP courses?
A: No, all ANFP online courses are automatically entered into your CE record once you complete the course, the course quizzes, and course evaluation. These courses are audit proof. To ensure the courses are reported in your record, they should not be completed until at least 24 hours after the certification has been activated or reinstated.
Q: Can I get CE credit for a program previously attended and reported?
A: Once CE hours have been earned for a specific program, the program cannot be resubmitted for credit again, regardless of whether it is in a new certification period. Credit can only be earned once for any given program. If a program is taught multiple times/dates, it can be reported only once.
Q: If I earn extra CE hours in my qualifying period, can I transfer them to the next three-year recertification period?
A: No, CE cannot be transferred to future recertification periods.
Q: Can I report Trade/Food Shows for CE hours?
A: You can earn a maximum of five CE hours per three-year recertification period by attending/viewing exhibits at trade/food shows. Food demonstrations, bake-offs, ice caring, and food presentations are eligible for trade/food show hours. The CE hours must be reported and required documentation uploaded via the My Certification page. Required documentation includes proof of attendance, program brochure with list of exhibitors and amount of time allocated to the trade/food show, and a brief description of why the program was a valuable learning experience and how it will impact your current or future professional practice.
Q: Can I earn CE hours for college coursework?
A: Yes. Each semester/credit hour is worth 18 CE hours. The CE must be reported and required documentation must be uploaded via the My Certification page. A maximum of 36 CE hours can be reported for college coursework in a three-year recertification period. Required documentation includes course description, transcript showing course title, and a brief summary of what was learned and how it enhances your competency as a CDM, CFPP.
Q: What types of programs are considered “Sanitation and Safety”?
A: Programs that address safe food handling and storage, infection control, time and temperature regulations, HACCP principles, food allergies, HIV/AIDS, ServSafe training programs, hygiene, disaster planning, pandemic disease, and active shooter training are eligible for Sanitation and Safety CE. The CE hours must be reported and required documentation uploaded via the My Certification page.
Q: What types of programs qualify for a professional ethics program?
A: Beginning June 1, 2019, one of the required 45 CE hours must pertain to professional ethics. Professional ethics encompasses standards, values, and guiding principles related to personal and business behaviors of professionals. Related topics include business/code of conduct, confidentiality, conflict of interest, diversity and inclusion, HIPAA/privacy and patient rights/dignity. The CE hours must be reported and required documentation uploaded via the My Certification page.
Q: What happens if I report more than the nine CE hours required for Sanitation and Safety and the one CE hour required for Professional Ethics?
A: Any reported Sanitation and Safety CE hours that exceed the nine CE hours requirement or Professional Ethics CE that exceeds the one CE hour requirement will automatically convert to General CE hours.
Q: If I had more than five Sanitation CE hours before the increase to nine hours, will those extra Sanitation hours that converted to General CE hours be put back into my Sanitation CE requirement?
A: Yes. Any Sanitation CE hours reported above the five hours that were required prior to June 1, 2017, will be automatically applied to the nine-hour Sanitation and Safety CE hour requirement, as long as it is within the same three-year recertification period.
Q: Do in-service programs qualify for CE hours?
A: Yes. However, if the meeting content relates to company/facility policy, procedure, production, HR issues, etc. it will not qualify for CE credit. The CE hours must be reported and required documentation uploaded via the My Certification page. Required documentation includes proof of attendance and the program agenda with date, time, topics and objectives as well as a brief description of why the program was a valuable learning experience and how it will impact your current or future professional practice.
Q: If I make a mistake while entering CE hours can I edit it?
A: At this time, you cannot edit your CE record in My Certification. Please contact the ANFP Professional Development Services (PDS) Department (info@CBDMonline.org or 800.323.1908) and they can assist with the requested changes.
Q: How do I use a Subsequent Approval Form?
A: Effective June 1, 2014, Subsequent Approval Forms are no longer accepted. The only way to report your CE hours and upload required documentation is via the My Certification page of your record. Physical, emailed, or faxed documents sent to CBDM will not be accepted or returned.
Q: What happens if I don’t meet the requirements for CE hours and the annual certification maintenance fee?
A: If you do not maintain your credential through required CE hours and certification maintenance fees, you will no longer be certified. You will need to reinstate your credential. To become certified again, you must qualify for the exam under a current pathway of eligibility, submit an exam application with fees for review and approval, and pass the CDM, CFPP Credentialing Exam. You will only be eligible to earn and report CE once you have completed the reinstatement process and your certification is active. No CE can be earned or reported for education programs completed during your inactive period.
Q: How do I know if I am short CE hours?
A: CBDM strongly recommends that you keep track of your CE hours for your current CE recertification period by checking your CE report online. Simply log in to your profile online at www.CBDMonline.org and select “My Certification”. You will see CE activity that you reported and documentation that you electronically uploaded. If you have any questions, contact the ANFP Professional Development Services (PDS) Department via e-mail at info@CBDMonline.org or phone at 800.323.1908.
Q: How do I know my CE hours will be approved?
A: CE hours are not approved on a per activity basis but will be reviewed during the CE audit process. All CDMs are encouraged to refer to the CBDM Guide To Maintaining Your CDM, CFPP Credential for acceptable CE activities and types of required documentation.
Q: How long do I need to keep required documentation for the reported CE hours?
A: CDMs should retain the documentation uploaded via My Certification for two consecutive three-year CE cycles.
Q: How do I report my CE hours if I do not have a computer?
A: CDMs are responsible for reporting CE and uploading the required supporting documentation via My Certification. There are viable solutions such as mobile devices, tablets, or utilizing public computers, if you do not have your own computer. Physical, emailed, or faxed documents sent to CBDM will not be accepted or returned.
IMPORTANT: Always keep a copy of everything you submit for CE hours.