Earning the Registered Dietitian Nutritionist (RDN) credential and state licensure are multi-step and distinct processes that include:
- Completion of a bachelor’s degree at a US regionally accredited university or college and course work accredited by the Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics (ACEND) of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics (AND).
- Completion of a minimum of a master’s degree in an area of academic interest.
- Completion of an ACEND accredited supervised practice program providing a minimum of 1,000 hours of supervised practice experience.
- Passage of the national Commission on Dietetic Registration (CDR) credentialing exam to become a registered dietitian nutritionist (RDN).
The University of Nevada, Reno Dietetic Internship Program (UNR DIP) is an accredited dietetic internship designed to provide the 1,000 hours of supervised practice experience for students who have already completed a bachelor’s and master’s degree, and those students currently enrolled in the UNR Nutrition Graduate Program (Dietetics Specialization).
Upon successful completion of all steps summarized above, graduates are eligible to sit for the CDR credentialing exam for the RDN.
Passing the CDR credentialing exam for the RDN is required for licensure in most states. Licensing requirements vary by state and may include criteria beyond education, experience and the RDN credential. Please consult the table below for information about state licensing requirements and reach out to the appropriate agency in the state in which you wish to seek a license for more information.
State | Does the program meet the supervised practice requirements for licensure? | CDR Registration Required | State Board/Registration Information | Contact Number | State Board Website |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Alabama | Yes | Yes | Alabama Board of Examiners For Dietetics & Nutritionists | (334) 265-7125 | Alabama Board of Examiners For Dietetics & Nutritionists |
Alaska | Yes | Yes | Alaska Department of Commerce, Community & Economic Development | (907) 269-8160 | Alaska Dietitians & Nutritionists, Professional Licensing, Division of Corporations, Business & Professional Licensing |
Arizona | Licensure not required | Yes | nutritionED.org & CDRNET.org | (312) 899-4859 | How to Become a Registered Dietitian in Arizona |
Arkansas | Yes | Yes | Arkansas Department of Health | (501) 843-0878 | Arkansas Dietetics Licensing Board Arkansas Department of Health |
California | Licensure not required | Yes | Healthcare Pathway & CDRNET.org | (800) 877-1600 Ext. 5500 | How to Become a Registered Dietitian in California |
Colorado | Licensure not required | Yes | nutritionED.org & CDRNET.org | (800) 877-1600 Ext. 5500 | How to Become a Registered Dietitian in Colorado |
Connecticut | Yes | Yes | Connecticut Department of Public Health | (860) 509-7603 | Connecticut Dietitian Nutritionist Certification |
Delaware | Yes | Yes | Delaware Board of Dietetics/Nutrition | (302) 744-4500 | Board of Dietetics / Nutrition - Division of Professional Regulation - State of Delaware |
District of Columbia | Yes | Yes | DC Health | (202) 442-5955 | District of Columbia - Dietetics & Nutrition Licensing |
Florida | Yes | Yes | Florida Health | (850) 488-0595 | Dietetics & Nutrition | Florida Department of Health |
Georgia | Yes | Yes | Georgia Board of Examiners of Licensed Dietitians | (404) 656-2881 | Georgia Board Of Examiners Of Licensed Dietitians |
Hawaii | Yes | Yes | Hawaii Department of Health, State Licensing Section | (808) 692-7400 | Hawaii Department of Health, State Licensing Section |
Idaho | Yes | Yes | Idaho Board of Medicine | (208) 327-7000 | Idaho Dietetic Licensure Board |
Illinois | Yes | Yes | Illinois Department of Financial & Professional Regulation | (888) 473-4858 | State of Illinois | Department of Financial & Professional Regulation |
Indiana | Yes | Yes | Medical Licensing Board of Indiana | (317) 234-2060 | PLA: Medical Licensing Board of Indiana |
Iowa | Yes | Yes | Iowa Department of Public Health | (515) 281-7689 | Iowa Board of Dietetics - Home |
Kansas | Yes | Yes | Kansas Department for Aging & Disability Services | (785) 296-4986 | Kansas Health Occupations Credentialing |
Kentucky | Yes | Yes | Kentucky Board of Licensure & Certification for Dietitians & Nutritionists | (502) 892-4254 | Kentucky Board Of Licensure & Certification For Dietitians & Nutritionists |
Louisiana | Yes | Yes | Louisiana State Board of Examiners in Dietetics & Nutrition | (225) 313-6590 | Louisiana Board of Examiners in Dietetics & Nutrition |
Maine | Yes | Yes | State of Maine Professional & Financial Regulation | (207) 624-8674 | Maine Board of Licensing of Dietetic Practice | Office of Professional & Occupational Regulation |
Maryland | Yes | Yes | Maryland Department of Health | (410) 764-4733 | Maryland Board of Dietetic Practice |
Massachusetts | Yes | Yes | Board of Registration of Dietitians & Nutritionists | (617) 701-8670 | Massachusetts Board of Registration of Dietitians & Nutritionists |
Michigan | Licensure not required | Yes | Michigan Board of Dietetics & Nutrition & CDRNET.org | (517) 335-0918 | Whitmer - Michigan Board of Dietetics & Nutrition |
Minnesota | Yes | Yes | Minnesota Board of Dietetics & Nutrition Practice | (651) 201-2764 | Minnesota Board of Dietetics & Nutrition Practice / Board of Dietetics & Nutrition Practices |
Mississippi | Yes | Yes | Mississippi State Department of Health | (601) 364-7360 | Professional Licensure - Mississippi State Department of Health |
Missouri | Yes | Yes | Missouri Division of Professional Registration | (573) 522.3438 | Missouri Committee of Dietitians |
Montana | Yes | Yes | Montana Board of Medical Examiners | (406) 444-6880 | Montana Board of Medical Examiners |
Nebraska | Yes | Yes | Nebraska Department of Health & Human Services | (312) 899-0400 Ext 5500 | Nebraska Medical Nutrition Therapist |
Nevada | Yes | Yes | Department of Health of Human Services Division of Public & Behavioral Health | (775) 684-1030 | Dietitian in Nevada |
New Hampshire | Yes | Yes | Board of Licensed Dietitians | (603) 271-2152 | New Hampshire Board of Licensed Dietitians | Office of Professional Licensure & Certification |
New Jersey | Yes | Yes | nutritionED.org & CDRNET.org | (800) 877-1600 Ext. 5500 | How to Become a Registered Dietitian in New Jersey |
New Mexico | Yes | Yes | New Mexico Regulations & Licensing Department | (505) 476-4500 | New Mexico Regulations Overview |
New York | Yes | Yes | NYSED | (518) 474-3841 ext. 560 | University of the State of New York - New York State Education Department |
North Carolina | Yes | Yes | North Carolina Board of Dietetics/Nutrition | (919) 388-1931 | North Carolina Board of Dietetics/Nutrition |
North Dakota | Yes | Yes | North Dakota Board of Dietetic Practice | (701) 751-4451 | North Dakota Board of Dietetic Practice |
Ohio | Yes | Yes | State Medical Board of Ohio | (614) 466-3934 | Ohio Dietitian (LD) |
Oklahoma | Yes | Yes | Oklahoma Licensed & Provisional Dietitians | (405) 962-1400 | Oklahoma Dietitians |
Oregon | Yes | Yes | Oregon Health Authority | (503) 378-8667 | Oregon Health Authority : Board of Licensed Dietitians - Practitioner Information : Health Licensing Office : State of Oregon |
Pennsylvania | Yes | Yes | Pennsylvania State Board of Nursing | (833) 367-2762 | Pennsylvania State Board of Nursing |
Puerto Rico | Yes | Yes | Department of Health, Board of Examiners for Nutritionists & Dietitians | 787/725-7904 | Puerto Rico Commission on Dietetic Registration |
Rhode Island | Yes | Yes | State of Rhode Island Department of Health, Nutrition | (401) 222-5960 | Nutrition Licensing: Department of Health |
South Carolina | Yes | Yes | South Carolina Labor Licensing Regulation | (803) 896-4651 | South Carolina Labor Licensing Regulation |
South Dakota | Yes | Yes | South Dakota Board of Medical & Osteopathic Examiners | (605) 367-7781 | South Dakota Board of Medical & Osteopathic Examiners |
Tennessee | Yes | Yes | Tennessee Department of Health | (615) 532-5090 | Tennessee Dietitians/Nutritionist Examiners |
Texas | Yes | Yes | Texas Department of Licensing & Regulation | (512) 463-6599 | Dietitians Licensing - TDLR |
Utah | Yes | Yes | Utah Department of Commerce,Division of Occupational & Professional Licensing | (801) 530-6628 | DOPL - Dietitian |
Vermont | Yes | Yes | Vermont Secretary of State: Dietitians | (802) 828-1505 | Vermont Secretary of State - Office of Professional Regulation Dietitians Section |
Virgin Islands | Licensure not required | Yes | CDRNET.org | (800) 877-1600 Ext. 5500 | Commission on Dietetic Registration |
Virginia | Licensure not required | Yes | nutritionED.org & CDRNET.org | (312) 899-4859 | How to Become a Registered Dietitian in Virginia |
Washington | Yes | Yes | Washington State Department of Health | (360) 236-4700 | Dietitian & Nutritionist: Washington State Department of Health |
West Virginia | Yes | Yes | West Virginia Board of Licensed Dietitians | (304) 558-1024 | WV Board of Licensed Dietitians |
Wisconsin | Yes | Yes | State of Wisconsin Department of Safety & Professional Services | (608) 266-2112 | DSPS Dietitian |
Wyoming | Yes | Yes | Wyoming Dietetics Licensing Board | (307) 777-7387 | Wyoming Dietetics Licensing Board |
Last Update: February, 2022