You have spent a lot of time, money and mental energy in earning your CDME credential. You have proven your commitment to yourself and your career. You have validated your knowledge and gained a significant competitive advantage.  Now, you need to ensure that you’re keeping current in your field and that you maintain an active certification status. 

Recertification, which is mandatory to keep your credential current, is the process of renewing your certification through ongoing learning and professional development activities. Continuing education (CE) will help you stay relevant as the profession evolves and grows.

CDME certification is valid for four years. A CDME must earn and report a total of 40 continuing education (CE) credits within every four-year recertification cycle to maintain the CDME credential.

Educational programs do not need to be produced by Destinations International to qualify for CE credits. Attendance at travel and tourism industry-related workshops, seminars, courses, conferences and live teleconferences/cyberconferences/webinars all qualify. 

CE credits are calculated based on the following guidelines.

• You may earn any number of credits per year, earn all your credits in one year, or over the course of four years.
• One (1) CE credit is equivalent to 50 minutes (including question and answer sessions) of instruction in an eligible topic area.

Example: 

• A seminar runs from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm (8 hours or 480 minutes)
• It includes a one-hour lunch and two fifteen-minute breaks (90 minutes).
• So, 480 minutes minus 90 minutes for lunch and breaks
• So, 390 minutes of instruction
• One CE credit is earned for every 50 minutes of instruction, so 390 minutes divided by 50 equals 7.8. This seminar is eligible for up to 7.8 CE credits, assuming one attended all educational programming

Detailed information on CDME recertification can be found here, or you may direct questions to [email protected].