How Do I Become a Registered Dietitian?

Registered dietitians develop nutrition plans.

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), dietitians develop or manage nutrition programs in a variety of settings, including schools and health-care facilities, to meet the nutritional and medical needs of the facility’s population. A registered dietitian qualifies for that distinction by completing the required education and passing an examination. The Commission for Dietetic Registration (CDR), the credentialing agency for the American Dietetic Association (ADA), determines the requirements for dietitians and dietetic technicians to take the registration examination. CDR contracts with ACT, Inc. to provide the examinations.

Instructions

1. Complete the Didactic Program in Dietetics, a program of dietetic coursework accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Dietetics Education (CADE). The coursework is required for completion of the bachelor’s or graduate degree and is required to qualify for the registration examination. The ADA provides a list of approved DPD programs on its website (see Resources).

2. Complete a bachelor’s or graduate degree at a regionally accredited college or university in the United States. Foreign degrees must be evaluated by a regionally accredited educational institution in the United States.

3. Complete the supervised practice requirements, either a CADE-accredited dietetic internship program or a CADE- accredited coordinated program. The dietetic internship requires 1200 hours of supervised practice. The coordinated program combines an accredited bachelor’s degree program with 900 hours of supervised practice. The ADA provides a list of accredited programs on its website (see Resources).

4. Establish eligibility for the registration examination by confirming that the DPD program manager has completed the online process confirming your completion of the program. Foreign applicants whose eligibility is based a reciprocity agreement submit registration forms and documentation to the CDR. Once an applicant is deemed eligible, CDR notifies ACT, which mails an application packet to the candidate.

5. Review the Candidate Handbook and the instructions for completing the application. Complete and return the application to ACT with the required fee. ACT mails an authorization to test letter to the applicant, which is valid for one year. The packet provides a list of 200 test centers. Contact a test center and schedule an appointment to take the exam.

6. Complete the exam. Scores are provided immediately. A candidate who does not pass the exam must contact CDR and schedule a retesting appointment within 45 days of the original test date. Candidates who pass the exam receive an orientation packet in the mail and, after payment of an annual fee for certification maintenance, a registration identification card.

Tips & Warnings

• CDR has agreements with regulatory boards of several foreign countries to extend registration eligibility reciprocity to dietitians who have completed the requirements in one of the foreign countries.

• The test center requires a government-issued photo identification card, which must list the same name and address as that on the authorization to test letter.

References

• BLS: Dietitians and Nutritionists
• CDR: What is an RD?
• CDR: Registration Eligibility Requirements for Dieticians
• CDR: Computer-Based Testing and Registration Eligibility

Resources

• ADA: Didactic Programs in Dietetics
• ADA: Accredited or Approved Education Programs
• CDR: Computer Based Testing Fact sheet
• CDR: Registration Examination for Dieticians Handbook for candidates