Knowledge-Based Professional Development Portfolio Guide
The PDP Guide has been newly optimized exclusively for PDF viewing and use. All links that appear inside are active, including Page links, such as those found in the Table of Contents. Steps 1, 2, and 5 are able to be completed and saved within this electronic document. The PDP Guide is being shared on this website so that all current and new dietetics practitioners can have easy access to the PDP Guide.
For cycles ending 2020: Click here for the Professional Development Portfolio Guide
PDP Policy Updates:
- CDR has expanded CPEU limits for activity type 175 (Recorded Pre-approved CE) from 30 CPEUs for RDs, 20 CPEUs for DTRs to 45 CPEUs for RDs and 30 CPEUs for DTRs for all cycles currently active. Starting with cycles beginning June 2, 2021, the maximum CPEUs will return to 30 CPEUs for RDs and 20 for DTRs. Please note that In order for a recording to be eligible for credit, the recorded presentation must have been either pre-approved by CDR for credit when it was presented live or offered by one of CDR’s accredited CPE providers. In addition, the recording must be listened to/viewed within 3 years of the original date of the live presentation (e.g., a recording of a presentation given on September 15, 2016, could be viewed for credit through September 14, 2019.)
- CDR has revised Activity Type 205: Research definition to included the acceptance of Primary Research as outlined in the Evidence Analysis Library. This definition has been update in the most update to date PDP Guide (2021 - 2026) and applies to all active cycles.
- Revised Definition: “Conducting primary research as a sole, principal, or co-investigator can be awarded CPEUs. An investigator is defined as one who participates substantially in the conception and design of the work and the analysis of data as well as in the writing of the report. Primary research as outlined in the Evidence Analysis Library Includes – Randomized Controlled Trials, Cluster Randomized Trial, Randomized Crossover Trial, Prospective Cohort Study, Retrospective Cohort Study, Non-Randomized Controlled Trial, Non-Randomized Crossover Trial, Case-Control Study, Time Series Study, Reliability Study, Non-Controlled Trial, Case Study or Case Series, Other Descriptive Study, Cross-Sectional Study, Trend Study, Before-After Study; systematic reviews with or without meta-analyses are also considered research for this activity type. The research must have been conducted after the investigator has become an RDN or RD, or NDTR or DTR. Research completed to fulfill academic requirements would receive credit as 100: Academic Coursework, while reading reviews designed primarily to summarize the findings of others would receive credit under 200: Professional Reading. However, completing a meta-analysis that identifies new trends or ideas based on data from other studies would be awarded CPEUs in the Research category. Required documentation must be completed within the current recertification cycle to receive credit.”
- Revised Definition: “Conducting primary research as a sole, principal, or co-investigator can be awarded CPEUs. An investigator is defined as one who participates substantially in the conception and design of the work and the analysis of data as well as in the writing of the report. Primary research as outlined in the Evidence Analysis Library Includes – Randomized Controlled Trials, Cluster Randomized Trial, Randomized Crossover Trial, Prospective Cohort Study, Retrospective Cohort Study, Non-Randomized Controlled Trial, Non-Randomized Crossover Trial, Case-Control Study, Time Series Study, Reliability Study, Non-Controlled Trial, Case Study or Case Series, Other Descriptive Study, Cross-Sectional Study, Trend Study, Before-After Study; systematic reviews with or without meta-analyses are also considered research for this activity type. The research must have been conducted after the investigator has become an RDN or RD, or NDTR or DTR. Research completed to fulfill academic requirements would receive credit as 100: Academic Coursework, while reading reviews designed primarily to summarize the findings of others would receive credit under 200: Professional Reading. However, completing a meta-analysis that identifies new trends or ideas based on data from other studies would be awarded CPEUs in the Research category. Required documentation must be completed within the current recertification cycle to receive credit.”
- CDR has revised Activity Type 130: Exhibits to expand the maximum CPEUs for virtual exhibits that include interactive experiences, professional materials for review and download, live chat and engagement with vendors to align with current PDP guidelines of 15 CPEUs for RDs and 10 CPEUs for DTRs in a five-year cycle.
- CDR has revised Activity Type 180: Posters to include e-poster sessions with the same standards outlined in the PDP Guide as live poster sessions.
Click here for the Professional Development Portfolio Appendix
The Learning Plan is to be submitted no later than 120 days after completing your first activity on your current 5 year recertification cycle. Please see our 120 Day Calculation Chart to see when you will need to submit your Learning Plan.
Click here for an interactive Flash presentation that explains the PDP Process
Below you will find examples of completed PDP forms. These have been filled out with respect to practitioners of varied career paths, including those not currently employed in the field of dietetics. First we will present three examples of the entire PDP process, then specific examples for each of the five steps.
Steps 1-5 |
Complete PDP Process |
Step One |
Professional Self-Reflection |
Step Two | Learning Needs Assessment Practitioner Examples |
Step Three | Learning Plan Practitioner Examples Ethics Requirements for Recertification Instructions for Online Entry of Learning Plan |
Step Four |
Activity Log New Activity Type: Recorded Pre-Approved CPE Instructions for Online Entry of Activity Log |
Step Five | Learning Plan Evaluation Practitioner Examples |
Background of the Portfolio Project | |
Benefits of the Portfolio | |
For Further Reading | |
Step 3: Blank Forms | |
Step 4: Blank Forms | |
Sponsored Independent Learning Contract |
Comments regarding the Professional Development Portfolio Guide and forms? E-mail cdr@eatright.org.