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STATE LICENSURE

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  • STATE LICENSURE
  • Requests that exam results be sent to a state board must be in writing and emailed to cdrexams@eatright.org.  
  • Please note - The Commission on Dietetic Registration (CDR) and state licensure boards are separate entities. Questions related to licensure must be directed to the practitioners' specific state licensure board or state agency.
  • For information related to Telehealth, please review the information found at www.cdrnet.org/telehealth. 

Terminology

Practice Exclusivity: a license is required either to provide MNT or to practice dietetics, subject to any exemptions, as explained below.

Licensure of Title Only or Certification of RDs or RDNs: the state only licenses the title "licensed dietitian" (or a similar title) or provides an optional certification which may facilitate reimbursement or employment in certain facilities. In these states, a Board exists to implement the law, but no license is required to practice MNT or dietetics.

Title Protection Without Formal State Regulation: the state restricts use of the title to certain credentialed professionals, but no Board exists, and no license is required to use the title or to practice any aspect of dietetics.

Notes for Exceptions

Licensure (or certification) by endorsement: an accelerated pathway to licensure based on current, valid registration as an RD or RDN with CDR. This could reduce the burden of paperwork when applying. However, completing the application, paying the fee and obtaining a license are still required to practice. If offered by the state, this is likely to be the easiest process to obtain a license.

Licensure (or certification) by reciprocity: an accelerated pathway to licensure based on current, valid licensure in another state (or DC). This could reduce the burden of paperwork when applying. However, completing the application, paying the fee and obtaining a license are still required to practice.

Combined endorsement-reciprocity: an accelerated pathway to licensure based on both current, valid CDR registration as an RD or RDN AND current, valid licensure in another state (or DC).

Licensure waivers: exempt the professional from licensure requirements, generally for a limited period.

SSS (substantially similar state): a state with substantially similar/equivalent education, experience and exam requirements as the subject state; this stipulation applies in most reciprocity and waiver provisions.

Temporary or provisional licenses: generally grant the right to practice without supervision based on completion of education and/or experience requirements (but not the exam) for a limited period, allowing additional opportunities to successfully complete the exam.

Updated November 2022

 

 

Licensure Statutes And Board Info by State

 

 

 

Alabama

  • Practice Exclusivity: Yes
  • Titles Protected: dietitian/nutritionist, dietitian, dietician, registered dietitian, registered dietician, nutritionist, D, RD, LD, LN
  • Board/Agency Website
  • Statute
  • Regulation

Exceptions

 

Alaska

  • Practice Exclusivity: No
  • Titles Protected: dietitian, licensed dietitian, nutritionist, licensed nutritionist, or an occupational title using the word dietitian or nutritionist
  • Board/Agency Website
  • Statute
  • Regulation

Exceptions

 

Arizona

  • Practice Exclusivity: No
  • Titles Protected: N/A
  • Board/Agency Website: N/A
  • Statute: N/A
  • Regulation: N/A

Exceptions

  • N/A

 

Arkansas

Exceptions

 

California

  • Practice Exclusivity: No
  • Titles Protected: dietitian, dietician, registered dietitian, registered dietician, registered dietitian nutritionist, RD, RDN
  • Board/Agency Website: N/A
  • Statute
  • Regulation: N/A

Exceptions 

  • N/A

 

Colorado

  • Practice Exclusivity: No
  • Titles Protected: dietitian, dietician, certified dietitian, certified dietician, CD, D
  • Board/Agency Website - N/A
  • Statute
  • Regulation: N/A

Exceptions 

  • N/A

 

Connecticut

  • Practice Exclusivity: No
  • Titles Protected: Connecticut certified dietitian-nutritionist, Connecticut certified dietitian, Connecticut certified nutritionist, CD-N, CD, CN
  • Board/Agency Website
  • Statute
  • Regulation: N/A

Exceptions 

 

Delaware

Exceptions

 

District of Columbia

Exceptions 

  • Licensure by endorsement and licensure by reciprocity (reciprocity only if other state accepts DC licenses; Statute Section 3–1205.07
  • Licensure waived if not seeing patients in the office of a DC licensee and 1) practicing for a "limited period" and in affiliation with licensee; or 2) authorized to practice in an adjoining state, does not have a DC office, is "registered" with the board, pays the fee, and the licensing state allows DC residents to practice: Statute Section 3–1205.02
  • Temporary license available, but requirements not evident: Statute Section 3-1205.08

 

Florida

  • Practice Exclusivity: Yes
  • Titles Protected: dietitian, licensed dietitian, nutritionist, licensed nutritionist, nutrition counselor, licensed nutrition counselor
  • Board/Agency Website
  • Statute
  • Regulation

Exceptions 

 

Georgia

Exceptions 

 

Hawaii

Exceptions 

 

Idaho

  • Practice Exclusivity: No
  • Titles Protected: dietitian, licensed dietitian (LD), registered dietitian (RD), registered dietitian nutritionist (RDN), or any other combination of terms that include the title dietitian
  • Board/Agency Website
  • Statute
  • Regulation

Exceptions 

 

Illinois

Exceptions 

  • Licensure by endorsement: Statute Section 45(b)
  • Licensure by reciprocity: Statute Section 75
  • Licensure waived for six months if 1) licensed in another state, and has applied in writing to the Department; or 2) a CNS, CCN, DACBN, or RDN who has applied in writing to the Department: Statute Section 15(b)

 

Indiana

Exceptions

 

Iowa

Exceptions

 

Kansas

Exceptions

 

Kentucky

Exceptions

 

Louisiana

Exceptions

 

Maine

Exceptions

 

Maryland

  • Practice Exclusivity: Yes
  • Titles Protected: licensed dietitian-nutritionist, dietitian-nutritionist, LDN, dietitian, licensed dietitian, D, LD, nutritionist, licensed nutritionist, LN
  • Board/Agency Website
  • Statute
  • Regulation
    Enter 10.56.01.01 in the search box. For subsequent entries, change the last two digits to ".02," ".03," etc.

Exceptions

 

Massachusetts

Exceptions

 

Michigan

  • Practice Exclusivity: No
  • Titles Protected: N/A
  • Board/Agency Website: N/A
  • Statute: N/A
  • Regulation: N/A

Exceptions

  • N/A

 

Minnesota

  • Practice Exclusivity: Yes
  • Titles Protected: dietitian, licensed dietitian, nutritionist, licensed nutritionist, or any occupational title using the word "dietitian" or "nutritionist;" except that any RDN can use the title and RD
  • Board/Agency Website
  • Statute
  • Regulation

Exceptions

 

Mississippi

Exceptions

 

Missouri

Exceptions

 

Montana

Exceptions

 

Nebraska

Exceptions

 

Nevada

Exceptions

 

New Hampshire

Exceptions 

 

New Jersey

  • Practice Exclusivity: Yes (law passed January 13, 2020, but enforcement of requirement to have a license to practice (scheduled to start January 13, 2021) has been delayed until Board formally approved and regulations adopted; all other provisions are in effect).
  • Titles Protected: dietitian nutritionist, nutritionist, dietitian, dietician, nutrition counselor, nutrition specialist, LDN, LD, LN, nutritional therapy practitioner, nutritional therapy consultant, certified nutrition therapy practitioner, master nutrition therapist, licensed dietitian nutritionist, licensed nutritionist or any other designation or title indicating qualification to provide medical nutrition therapy
  • Board/Agency Website
  • Statute: Enter '45:16B-1' in the search box at the top left. The desired link should be in the first few search results. To see additional parts of the statute, click 'Next Doc' directly above the main display window.
  • Regulation: N/A

Exceptions

  • Licensure by endorsement: State Statute 45:16B-9 (Enter '45:16B-9' in the search box at the top left. The desired link should be in the first few search results)
  • Licensure by reciprocity: State Statute 45:16B-11 (Enter '45:16B-11' in the search box at the top left. The desired link should be in the first few search results.)

 

New Mexico

Exceptions

 

New York

Exceptions

  • Certification, but no exceptions

 

North Carolina

Exceptions

 

North Dakota

  • Practice Exclusivity: Yes
  • Titles Protected: dietitian, registered dietitian, licensed dietitian, licensed registered dietitian, RD, LD, LRD, LN licensed nutritionist
  • Board/Agency Website
  • Statute
  • Regulation

Exceptions

 

Ohio

Exceptions

 

Oklahoma

Exceptions

 

Oregon

Exceptions

 

Pennsylvania

Exceptions 

 

Rhode Island

Exceptions

 

South Carolina

Exceptions 

 

South Dakota

Exceptions 

 

Tennessee

Exceptions 

 

Texas

Exceptions 

 

Utah

Exceptions 

 

Vermont

Exceptions 

 

Virginia

  • Practice Exclusivity: No
  • Titles Protected: dietitian, nutritionist, alone or in any combination with licensed, certified, or registered
  • Board/Agency Website: N/A
  • Statute
  • Regulation: N/A

Exceptions 

  • N/A

 

Washington

Exceptions 

 

West Virginia

Exceptions 

 

Wisconsin

  • Practice Exclusivity: No
  • Titles Protected: dietitian, certified dietitian, registered dietitian, any representation that person is certified or licensed as a dietitian
  • Board/Agency Website
  • Statute
  • Regulation

Exceptions 

 

Wyoming

Exceptions 

 

Disclaimer: This list is an interpretation of state statutes and regulations. It does not nor is it intended to constitute legal advice or career advice. All information, content, and materials available on this site are for general informational purposes only and may not constitute the most up-to-date legal or other information. The ultimate authority to interpret each state's requirements is the licensing board or agency of that state. This website contains links to third-party websites for the convenience of the reader, user or browser; the Commission on Dietetic Registration does not recommend or endorse the contents of the third-party sites, nor does the information on third-party sites constitute a legally binding interpretation of state policy.

 

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