The Commission decided to implement computerized testing for the Specialty examinations because of the many advantages it offers to examinees. These include:

• More test dates — there will be two, three-week testing windows a year. Examinees will be able to take the examination at any time within regular computer center hours during the testing windows.



• More test sites — there will be over 100 test center locations to choose from, increased from the 25 sites previously offered.



• Faster retest — available within six months to eligible candidates.

CDR's testing agency, Applied Measurement Professionals, Inc (AMP), uses approved H&R Block sites to administer the Specialist examinations at over 100 test center locations nationwide.

The examinations will be administered two times a year, during three-week testing windows. Examinees will be able to take the examination at any date or time within regular computer center hours during the testing windows at over 100 approved H&R Block test center locations nationwide based on availability. All test sites are open Monday through Friday during business hours. Eligible candidates will be instructed to call AMP at a toll-free number or to visit AMP's website to schedule an appointment to take the examination.

The application fee for the specialty examination is still $250.00 and must be sent with a completed application. The fee can be paid by credit card (Visa, MasterCard, Discover, American Express), check, cashier's check, or money order payable in U.S. dollars and drawn on a bank in the United States. Checks or money orders should be made payable to CDR. Do not send cash.

Refunds will be provided under the following guidelines:

• If you are ineligible to take the examination.



• A candidate who does not schedule his/her examination appointment during the current test administration window may have their application and examination fee transferred to the next administration free of charge. Candidate's eligibility and examination fee will only extend one test administration window.



• A candidate who does not schedule his/her examination appointment after confirmation of eligibility, may request a full refund, if you do not wish to test during the current or subsequent test administration window.



• A candidate who wishes to reschedule their examination, but fails to contact AMP at least four business days to the scheduled testing session will be required to pay a $79 fee to reschedule the examination.



• Other requests for refunds must be made to CDR Specialty Appeals Panel and are considered on a case-by-case basis.

Eligibility applications can be requested by telephone, e-mail, or letter to CDR. Applications can also be downloaded and printed from CDR's website. Candidates will receive notification regarding their eligibility status within four weeks of receipt by CDR.

Commission on Dietetic Registration
120 South Riverside Plaza, Suite 2000
Chicago, IL 60606-6995
1-800/877-1600 ext 5500
E-mail: cdr@eatright.org
http://www.cdrnet.org/certifications/spec/eapplication.htm

There will be nine patient management problems.

No. The content outline remains the same. The content of the examinations is based on the 1997 Renal and Pediatric Practice Audits. The examinations have been developed by content experts to objectively measure the knowledge and skills required for Board Certification as a Specialist in Pediatric or Renal Nutrition. Please refer to the eligibility application or CDR's website for the content outline of the examinations.

Yes. The questions used for the computerized examination are selected from the same item pool as the ones for the paper examination. CDR introduces new items to the pool each year, and this process will continue with computer-based testing.

Examinees will be allowed four hours to take the examination. The computer will indicate the time remaining on the screen. If you find it distracting, the time feature may be turned off during the examination. The time limit is intended to allow candidates to complete the entire examination by working quickly and efficiently.

No. Examinees are permitted to use their own calculators during the examination. Only silent, hand-held, solar- or battery-operated calculators without paper-tape printing capabilities or alphabetic keypads may be used. The use of a calculator that does not meet this description constitutes grounds for immediate dismissal from the test. In addition, calculator malfunction during a test does not constitute grounds for challenging test scores or requesting additional testing time.

Yes. The questions are in the same patient management problem format that is used on the paper examination. In this type of examination candidates are required to apply dietetics principles to the solution of clinical problem situations. These problems are designed to sample a broad area of practice competencies, not the recall of isolated facts. Candidates are required to gather, interpret, and evaluate clinical data. RD Specialist content experts contribute to the development and review of each specialty examination prior to its use. (Refer to the Candidate Handbook eligibility application and CDR's website for sample questions.)

Yes. The examination questions are numbered.

No. Each question requires a response in order to continue the examination process. Just as in the paper examination, once the examinee makes a selection, the response cannot be undone.

Yes. Each test center will be staffed with personnel to assist examinees in the event of a computer malfunction. If it is not possible to resolve the problem, examinees will be rescheduled to test as soon as possible.

If you experience difficulty either during scheduling, please contact AMP at 913/541-0400. If you experience problems with testing, please contact H&R Block personnel.

Yes. The Commission will continue to make reasonable accommodations for candidates with disabilities, provided appropriate medical documentation is submitted with the request for special testing accommodations. Refer to the Candidate Handbook for specific documentation requirements.

The examinee score report will include scores by simulation problem, further divided into information-gathering scores and decision-making scores. Refer to the Candidate Handbook for more details regarding score reporting.

Yes. Examinees will be allowed familiarize themselves with the computer process before beginning the actual examination. Candidates will be able to practice on a computerized sample problem at the test site. The sample problem will not necessarily be dietetics related. Also, a practice problem is available on CDR's website at the following link: http://www.cdrnet.org/certifications/spec/index.htm.

The Commission on Dietetic Registration publishes two study guides: Pediatric Nutrition Specialty Self-Assessment Simulation and Renal Nutrition Specialty Self-Assessment Simulation. Both study guides include comprehensive practice examinations. There is also an online version of these self-assessment simulations available for purchase at the following link: http://cdrnet.educationdirector.com. Purchasing information for the study guides is also included with the eligibility application and on CDR's website. There is a list of references available with application, with the Candidate Handbook, and on CDR's website.

The scaled score required to pass the examination remains the same, as does the scoring of the examination.

Examinees will be allowed to retest at the next examination date. They must contact the Commission on Dietetic Registration to receive another eligibility application. Candidates will have to be reauthorized as examination-eligible and pay the current examination application fee. Applications from previous examinations or photocopies of applications will not be accepted.

The examinee must contact the Commission to be reauthorized to test:

• when the examinee fails the examination,



• when the candidate fails to cancel the testing appointment within the specified timeline,



• when the candidate arrives late for the scheduled testing appointment,



• when the candidate does not complete the examination during the test appointment.

The entire process from the time the Commission on Dietetic Registration receives the application to the time the candidate receives the eligibility letter is approximately four weeks, dependent on first-class mail delivery and prompt candidate response to the examination application mailing.

As long as eligibility requirements are met, there is no limit on the number of times an examinee may take the examination. However, candidates may take the examination only once during the three-week testing window. Candidates must contact the Commission on Dietetic Registration to receive another eligibility application. Candidates will have to be reauthorized as examination-eligible and pay the current examination application fee.