Requirements for State Licensure
Earning the RDN credential and state licensure are multi-step processes that include:
- completing a bachelor’s degree in conjunction with a Didactic Program in Dietetics (such as the Dietetic Specialization);
- completing a post-baccalaureate accredited dietetic internship, and
- passing a national credentialing exam.
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.
| State | Nutrition and Dietetic Technician | Meets Undergraduate Degree Requirement for Licensed/Certified/Registered Dietitian | CDR Registration Required for Licensed/Certified/Registered Dietitian | State Board/Registration Information | Contact Number |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | License not required* | Yes | Yes | Alabama Board of Examiners For Dietetics & Nutritionists | (334) 265-7125 |
| Alaska | License not required* | Yes | Yes | Alaska Department of Commerce, Community and Economic Development | (907) 269-8160 |
| Arizona | License not required* | License not required* | Yes | nutritionED.org and CDRNET.org | (312) 899-4859 |
| Arkansas | License not required* | Has not been determined | Yes | Arkansas Department of Health | (501) 843-0878 |
| California | License not required* | License not required* | Yes | Healthcare Pathway and CDRNET.org | (800) 877-1600 Ext. 5500 |
| Colorado | License not required* | License not required* | Yes | nutritionED.org and CDRNET.org | (800) 877-1600 Ext. 5500 |
| Connecticut | License not required* | Has not been determined | Yes | Connecticut Department of Public Health | (860) 509-7603 |
| Delaware | License not required* | Has not been determined | Yes | Delaware Board of Dietetics/Nutrition | (302) 744-4500 |
| District of Columbia | License not required* | Has not been determined | Yes | DC Department of Health | (202) 442-5955 |
| Florida | License not required* | Yes | Yes | Florida Health | (850) 488-0595 |
| Georgia | License not required* | Has not been determined | Yes | Georgia Board of Examiners of Licensed Dietitians | (404) 656-2881 |
| Hawaii | License not required* | Yes | Yes | Hawaii Department of Health, State Licensing Section | (808) 692-7400 |
| Idaho | License not required* | Yes | Yes | Idaho Board of Medicine | (208) 327-7000 |
| Illinois | License not required* | Has not been determined | Yes | Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation | (888) 473-4858 |
| Indiana | License not required* | Has not been determined | Yes | Medical Licensing Board of Indiana | (317) 234-2060 |
| Iowa | License not required* | Has not been determined | Yes | Iowa Department of Public Health | (515) 281-7689 |
| Kansas | License not required* | Has not been determined | Yes | Kansas Department for Aging and Disability Services | (785) 296-4986 |
| Kentucky | License not required* | Has not been determined | Yes | Kentucky Board of Licensure and Certification for Dietitians and Nutritionists | (502) 892-4254 |
| Louisiana | License not required* | Has not been determined | Yes | Louisiana State Board of Examiners in Dietetics and Nutrition | (225) 313-6590 |
| Maine | Has not been determined | Has not been determined | Yes | State of Maine Professional and Financial Regulation | (207) 624-8674 |
| Maryland | License not required* | No | Yes | Maryland Department of Health | (410) 764-4733 |
| Massachusetts | License not required* | Has not been determined | Yes | Board of Registration of Dietians and Nutritionists | (617) 701-8670 |
| Michigan | License not required* | License not required* | Yes | Michigan Bureau of Health Care Services | (517) 335-0918 |
| Minnesota | License not required* | Has not been determined | Yes | Minnesota Board of Dietetics and Nutrition Practice | (651) 201-2764 |
| Mississippi | License not required* | Has not been determined | Yes | Mississippi State Department of Health | (601) 364-7360 |
| Missouri | License not required* | Has not been determined | Yes | Missouri Division of Professional Registration | (573) 522.3438 |
| Montana | License not required* | Has not been determined | Yes | Montana Board of Medical Examiners | (406) 444-6880 |
| Nebraska | License not required* | Has not been determined | Yes | Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services | (312) 899-0400 Ext 5500 |
| Nevada | License not required* | Yes | Yes | Department of Health of Human Services Division of Public and Behavioral Health | (775) 684-1030 |
| New Hampshire | License not required* | Has not been determined | Yes | Board of Licensed Dietitians | (603) 271-2152 |
| New Jersey | License not required* | Has not been determined | Yes | New Jersey State Board of Dietetics & Nutrition | (609) 585-5458 |
| New Mexico | License not required* | Has not been determined | Yes | New Mexico Regualation & Licensing Department | (505) 476-4500 |
| New York | License not required* | Has not been determined | Yes | NYSED | (518) 474-3841 ext. 560 |
| North Carolina | License not required* | Has not been determined | Yes | North Carolina Board of Dietetics/Nutrition | (919) 388-1931 |
| North Dakota | License not required* | Has not been determined | Yes | North Dakota Board of Dietetic Practice | (701) 751-4451 |
| Ohio | License not required* | Has not been determined | Yes | State Medical Board of Ohio | (614) 466-3934 |
| Oklahoma | License not required* | Has not been determined | Yes | Oklahoma Licensed and Provisional Dietitians | (405) 962-1400 |
| Oregon | License not required* | Yes | Yes | Oregon Health Authority | (503) 378-8667 |
| Pennsylvania | License not required* | Has not been determined | Yes | Pennsylvania State Board of Nursing | (833) 367-2762 |
| Puerto Rico | License not required* | Has not been determined | Yes | Department of Health, Board of Examiners for Nutritionists and Dietitians | (787) 725-7904 |
| Rhode Island | License not required* | Has not been determined | Yes | State of Rhode Island Department of Health, Nutrition | (401) 222-5960 |
| South Carolina | License not required* | Has not been determined | Yes | South Carolina Labor Licensing Regulation | (803) 896-4651 |
| South Dakota | License not required* | Has not been determined | Yes | South Dakota Board of Medical and Osteopathic Examiners | (605) 367-7781 |
| Tennessee | License not required* | Has not been determined | Yes | Tennessee Department of Health | (615) 532-5090 |
| Texas | License not required* | Has not been determined | Yes | Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation | (512) 463-6599 |
| Utah | License not required* | Has not been determined | Yes | Utah Department of Commerce,Division of Occupational and Professional Licensing | (801) 530-6628 |
| Vermont | License not required* | Has not been determined | Yes | Vermont Secretary of State: Dietitians | (802) 828-1505 |
| Virgin Islands | License not required* | License not required* | Yes | Virgin Islands Department of Health | (800) 877-1600 Ext. 5500 |
| Virginia | License not required* | License not required* | Yes | nutritionED.org and CDRNET.org | (312) 899-4859 |
| Washington | License not required* | Has not been determined | Yes | Washington State Department of Health | (360) 236-4700 |
| West Virginia | License not required* | Has not been determined | Yes | West Virginia Board of Licensed Dietitians | (304) 558-1024 |
| Wisconsin | License not required* | Has not been determined | Yes | State of Wisconsin Department of Safety and Professional Services | (608) 266-2112 |
| Wyoming | License not required* | Has not been determined | Yes | Wyoming Dietetics Licensing Board | (307) 777-7387 |
| *The University has determined to the best of its ability that this state does not issue an applicable license in the field dietetics and nutrition at this time. If you plan to practice in this state, be sure to contact the appropriate state agency for more information on occupational regulations. |
Last Updated: November, 2022