Does Helm Publishing submit my hours to my accrediting body?
No, we give you a Certificate of Completion when we receive your answers or you pass the online test with 70% correct or higher. You use the certificate to document your hours in your portfolio or other recording process, and have it available in case of audit.
How many hours can I get through home-study?
Dietitians and DTRs can get all their hours for CDR through home-study. Individual state licensure boards and other professions may have limitations for state required hours.
What organizations are your courses approved for?
We are pre-approved by the Commission on Dietetic Registration to provide CPE hours for dietitians and dietetic technicians; by the California Board of Registered Nursing for nurses in California and any states that accept their approval; by Certified Diabetes Educators because we are approved by CDR for topics on diabetes or weight issues; and by Dietary Managers Associations for Certified Dietary Managers.
Why is the online test graded (passing is 70% or higher) and the paper one is accepted when you see the work was done?
Helm Publishing believes that professionals want to be recognized for their effort. So we ask that the completed answer sheet be submitted to show the work was done or a passing grade is achieved on the online exam. If someone could go online and answer questions randomly in 20 minutes for a 25 hour course—and make a 45 on the test but still pass—the validity of the CPE hours would be compromised.
What is the difference between the online and paper test?
The online test is produced from the paper test. Sometimes questions must be altered because of the limitations of the e-learning format, but the questions are essentially the same.
If I do the online test, can I get a copy of the questions to work with?
Yes, you will be able to print a copy of the questions in order to study at your leisure away from the computer.
What is the difference between the long and short courses?
The difference between the shorter and longer courses is depth of the review and the number of questions—both courses use the same book. The longer 25 hour courses usually have about 125 questions and 15 hour courses have about 75 or so questions.
How are orders shipped?
Orders are shipped via UPS ground, or Priority or First Class Mail, usually within 2 business days. You should receive your order within 5-7 business days from the date the order is placed. When time is short, call about prices for overnight or 2nd day air.
What are the office hours?
Monday through Friday, 9:00-5:00 Central Time, call Toll Free 877-560-6025 for Orders or 940-497-3558 for Customer Service,. Fax orders to 940-497-2927 at any time. Visit our web page at www.helmpublishing.com for online tests, product information, and to order at your convenience. You can also email us at info@helmpublishing.com.
How do I take the paper course?
This is an open-book exam. The date you mail the completed answer sheet and certificate to Helm Publishing is the date you receive credit for the course (keep a postal receipt if your timeline is close for state or national records). For RDs and DTRs exams that are postmarked to Helm Publishing by May 31st will be reported in the current year. A certificate and answers will be sent to each person who completes the course. All courses are approved for at least one year from the date of purchase, but all courses are approved for 3-year periods so you may have more time. Please allow 2 weeks for processing exams. Replacements for lost certificates are available for $15.
| Step 1: | Read the book and answer the questions as you go. It will be helpful to scan the questions in the study guide before reading the book in order to get a feel for what information is deemed core to the topic. |
| Step 2: | Answer the questions on the answer sheet and make a copy to send to Helm Publishing. Fill out the evaluation. |
| Step 3: |
Sign the Certificate of Completion. Keep a copy in the event it becomes lost in the mail. Mail the completed answer sheet, certificate, and evaluation to: Helm Publishing, |
| Step 4: | Review the correct answers that will be sent back to you along with the signed Certificate of Completion. Nurses must retain this record for four years, and RDs and DTRs must retained records for five years. |
| Step 5: | RDs and DTRs can use the certificate to document their hours in their portfolios to the Commission on Dietetic Registration. Other health professionals may use their Certificate of Completion to report contact hours to their member organizations. |
How do I take the online course?
To take the test online, go to www.helmpublishing.com and buy the “online course” option for that product. A copy of the questions will be available for download after the order is placed and your book will be mailed within two business days. When you are ready to submit your answers, login to your test (using your email address and password that you used to buy the product), read How to Take This Course, fill in all the answers, review them one last time, and click the button at the end to grade the test. If you have a passing grade of 70% or higher, it will tell you immediately unless there are fill-in questions that must be graded by hand (please allow two business days--you will be notified by email). Please take the time to fill out an Evaluation and a Certificate will be available for printing under "My Achievements" upon completion.