RD EXAMINATION - ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS

Below are the key requirements to become eligible for the RD Examination:

1. Degree: A minimum of a graduate degree from a USDE-recognized accredited institution (or equivalent). The graduate degree requirement may be met in any area.
2. Nutrition-Related Coursework: Complete one of the ACEND-accredited programs for coursework (DPD, CP, or GP).
3. Supervised Practice: Complete one of the ACEND-accredited programs for supervised practice (DI, ISPP, CP, or GP).

There are multiple pathways to obtain the requirements:

Each country has their own credentialing agency with policies and procedures that an individual must comply with to meet registration eligibility requirements and become credentialed in that country. Individuals who want to be credentialed as a RD in the US must comply with CDR’s eligibility (i.e., degree, didactic, and supervised practice) and examination requirements.

If your degree is from outside the US, you are required to have your transcript evaluated by an approved Foreign Degree Evaluation Agency. A detailed course-by-course evaluation is recommended. After receiving your evaluation report, you will need to contact the program director of an Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics (ACEND) accredited Didactic Program in Dietetics (DPD), Graduate Program (GP) or Coordinated Program (CP) to request they review your transcript and foreign degree evaluation report. They will determine to what degree your prior learning meets current requirements and counsel you regarding any additional coursework needed to complete their program requirements.

Canadian Registered Dietitian

Canadian applicants who are graduates of a dietetics program recognized as accredited in Canada, who are members of Dietitians of Canada, and who are licensed as a Canadian RD (or equivalent provincial designation) may apply for registration eligibility with CDR. Click here to learn how to apply.

Philippines Reciprocity

Individuals registered by the Professional Regulation Commission (PRC) of the Philippines will be eligible to take either CDR’s registration examination for dietitians or registration examination for dietetic technicians depending on their highest degree earned. Click here to learn more.

International Dietetics Programs

Foreign Dietitian Education Programs (FDE)

All FDE programs are located in a country outside of the U.S. These programs provide nutrition and dietetics coursework and supervised practice experiences in the country in which the program is located, to meet ACEND's core knowledge and competency requirements to become a nutrition and dietetics practitioner in that country. A verification statement is issued to individuals who successfully complete the program as evidence of eligibility to apply for a U.S.-based ACEND accredited dietetic internship. An individual must apply, be accepted to and complete a dietetic internship or other ACEND accredited supervised practice program in the U.S. in order to meet eligibility requirements to take CDR’s entry-level registration examination for dietitian nutritionists.

International Coordinated Program in Dietetics (ICP)

All ICP programs are located in a country outside of the US and provide the required nutrition and dietetics coursework and at least 1000 hours of supervised practice experiences to meet ACEND^®'s core knowledge and competency requirements to become a registered dietitian nutritionist. A verification statement is issued to individuals who successfully complete the program in order to be eligible to take the CDR credentialing examination.

To access the list of ACEND accredited International Dietetics Programs, please click here.