United States · ExamWhat are the RDN requirements?
CDR lists three requirements for exam eligibility:
- A graduate degree, at least, from a USDE-recognized accredited institution, or the foreign equivalent.
- Nutrition coursework through an ACEND-accredited program: a Didactic Program in Dietetics (DPD), a Coordinated Program (CP) or a Graduate Program (GP).
- Supervised practice through an ACEND-accredited program: a Dietetic Internship (DI), an Individualized Supervised Practice Pathway (ISPP), a CP or a GP.
The graduate degree rule applies if you’re seeking eligibility for the first time on or after January 1, 2024. If you were eligible by December 31, 2023, or you’re already registered, CDR doesn’t require it. The other requirements didn’t change.
The routes to becoming an RD
| Route | Coursework | Supervised practice |
|---|---|---|
| DPD + DI | ACEND-accredited DPD | A separate ACEND-accredited dietetic internship |
| Coordinated Program (CP) | Built into the program | Built into the program |
| Graduate Program (GP) | Built into the program | Built into the program |
| Doctorate ISPP | ACEND-accredited Doctorate ISPP, with a doctorate degree | Through the ISPP |
CDR has other routes for people trained abroad: Canadian, Dutch, Philippine and Irish registered dietitians, foreign dietitian education programs (FDE) followed by a US internship, and international coordinated programs with at least 1,000 hours of supervised practice. If your degree is from outside the US, CDR says to get it evaluated by an approved agency, course by course, then contact an ACEND-accredited program director.
What steps do you take to become an RD?
- Finish your degree, coursework and supervised practice. CDR then receives your eligibility information and checks it.
- Once CDR approves you, Pearson VUE emails an Authorization to Test within 48 hours. It’s good for one year.
- Register, pay $250 and book a date on Pearson’s site, then pass with a scaled score of 25.
- Check your state’s licensure rules and apply for a license if your state requires one.
- Keep the credential: a yearly CDR fee and 75 continuing education units every five years.
Sources: CDR and 3 more. Checked October 2026.
- CDR: RD exam eligibility requirements ↗
- CDR: 2024 graduate degree requirement ↗
- CDR: RD Exam Handbook for Candidates (2026) ↗
- CDR: Practice tips, CDR certification vs state licensure (PDF, revised September 2023) ↗
Rules and fees can change, so check the official site before your test.
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