Requirements for State Licensure

Earning the RDN credential and state licensure are multi-step processes that include:

1. completing a bachelor’s degree in conjunction with a Didactic Program in Dietetics (such as the Dietetic Specialization);
2. completing a post-baccalaureate accredited dietetic internship, and

3. passing a national credentialing exam *
   
   *Effective January 1, 2024, the minimum degree requirement for eligibility to take the registration examination for dietitians will change from a bachelor’s degree to a graduate degree. All other didactic and supervised practice eligibility requirements will remain the same.

The BS in Nutrition w/ Dietetic Specialization and Didactic Program in Dietetics are designed to fulfill the undergraduate degree requirements to be eligible to apply for a Dietetic Internship Program and sit for the CDR examination. The program may also meet the criteria for an undergraduate degree with a major course of study in dietetics and nutrition required for licensure as a dietitian in many states. Licensing requirements vary by state and may include criteria beyond education and experience.

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. Further information can also be found on State Licensure with the Commission on Dietetic Registration (CDR).

Last Updated: November 2023