Prior Approval Application
Prior-approved activities are individual educational activities for which a program provider opts to request continuing professional education (CPE) approval on behalf of RDs/DTRs prior to the date of the activity. The Virginia Dietetic Association is responsible for the prior approval of all CPE activities taking place in Virginia for Registered Dietitians and Dietetic Technicians in accordance with the requirements of the Commission on Dietetic Registration (CDR).
To receive prior-approval of a CPE activity, complete the following:
Complete and sign the Continuing Education Prior Approval Request Form that is available from CDR in PDF format. Use one prior-approval form for each program. Submit the documentation for review to VDA at least 4-6 weeks prior to the activity date. Keep one copy for your files.
The following information is required on the Continuing Education Prior Approval Request Form:
- Title of presentation
- Program date(s)
- Program location (city and state)
If the program will be held in multiple locations, please provide a listing that includes
each city, state, and date. - Program provider (the group hosting the program)
- Information describing the target audience (target audience can not include the lay public)
- Estimated number of RDs and/or DTRs to be in attendance
- Program chair (the individual who planned the meeting)
- Contact name, telephone number, and address
- Number of CPE hours requested
- CPE Level according to the following definitions:
Level I: Assumes that the participant has little or no prior knowledge of the area(s) covered. The focus of the activity is to increase the core knowledge of the participant.
Level II: Assumes that the participant has general knowledge of the literature and professional practice within the area(s) covered. The focus of the activity is to enhance knowledge and application of the participant.
Level III: Assumes that the participant has thorough knowledge of the literature and professional practice within the area(s) covered. The focus of the activity is synthesis of recent advances and future directions
Complete a Program Information Form for EACH session of your program. A speaker's resume or curriculum vitae can be attached to the form in lieu of completing the Speaker Information section. Make sure to include Suggested Learning Need Codes.
In addition, a timing outline to include a detailed breakdown of the time schedule for the entire program, indicating the start times for all educational sessions, registration, meals, breaks or discussion periods must be included. Please include program brochure if available.
Submit a check payable to the Virginia Dietetic Association for the appropriate processing fees. There is a $10.00 charge per credit hour reviewed (same as the number of credit hours requested unless multiple breakout presentations need to be reviewed for the same hour ). If the request is postmarked less than four weeks prior to the start date of the program, an "expedited review" fee of $25 is assessed in addition to the per-credit hour review fee.
Submit your application packet four to six weeks in advance of the program to:
Virginia Dietetic Association
ATTN: Jackie Darling
PO Box 439
Centreville, VA 20122-0439
Once your complete application is received with appropriate payment, it will be reviewed as soon as possible. VDA will send verification of approval to the contact person and post your program on our website unless it is closed/invitation only. Program providers must provide each participant with a certificate of completion verifying completion of the program. A sample will be provided with approval documentation. Providers must also maintain a list of participants (name and registration number) who completed their program for at least seven years.
If you have any questions regarding this process, please call Jackie Darling at 703-815-8293. Thank you.