Back to Questions Regarding Education and Credentialing Requirements

Questions Regarding Education and Credentialing Requirements

  • How do I become a Registered Dietitian credentialed by the CDR?

    In order to become a Registered Dietitian, an individual must complete the following three-step process:
    1. Complete CADE-accredited or approved academic coursework in a Didactic Program in Dietetics and a minimum of a bachelor's degree from a US regionally-accredited college or university or foreign equivalent
      — Obtain an original verification statement from the Director of the CADE-accredited or approved Didactic Program in Dietetics documenting completion of these requirements.
    2. Apply to, enroll in and complete CADE-accredited supervised practice requirements in a Dietetic Internship for registration eligibility
    3. Pass the Registration Examination for Dietitians.

    Or:

    1. Complete the didactic (academic) practice requirements and supervised practice requirements concurrently through a CADE-accredited Coordinated Program in Dietetics
    2. Pass the Registration Examination for Dietitians.


  • My education, training and credentials were completed outside of the United States and its territories. What do I do first?

    The first step is to have your academic degree validated as equivalent to the bachelor's or master's degree conferred by a US regionally-accredited college or university (refer to the RD flowchart below). The CDR-approved nonprofit agencies that perform this specialized service are listed below. Contact the agency for current information, procedure and costs.

    Several types of evaluations are available. A detailed course-by-course evaluation will be the most useful for the Program Director at a CADE accredited or approved Didactic Program in Dietetics or Coordinated Program. The Program Director will evaluate your previous academic preparation and identify the courses you will need to meet the didactic program requirements. At this point in the process, please do not mail equivalency reports to ADA, CADE, or CDR.

  • Where can I find a list of CADE-accredited or approved didactic and supervised practice programs?

    The American Dietetic Association publishes a complete list of all CADE-accredited or approved dietetics education programs on its Web site (see below). Programs are listed by program type: Didactic Program in Dietetics, Dietetic Internship and Coordinated Program and by state within each listing. This listing also provides a direct link to Program Directors through their e-mail address when available. Specific guidelines for acceptance, prerequisites, program content and financial aid, as well as an application, should be requested directly from each program.

  • What will be required to receive a verification statement from a Didactic Program in Dietetics program director?

    Although all DPD programs must comply with the CADE Accreditation Standards, each program is uniquely designed. For this reason, requirements to obtain the DPD verification statement may vary from one program to another. You may wish to contact one or more of the DPD Program Directors in your geographic area concerning the evaluation process. It is important to note that policies and procedures and costs for the evaluation may vary from one institution to another. Because additional coursework is likely to be required, you may need to enroll in the college or university before your transcripts will be evaluated. Using the program's policies, the Director will review the equivalency report of your previous academic preparation from one of the evaluation agencies listed below, plus copies of all transcripts. Following this evaluation, you will be advised regarding the additional coursework necessary to meet the academic requirements for the verification statement. Verification statements signed by the DPD Program Director will be issued after completion of all academic requirements. This Verification Statement is proof of completion of CADE academic requirements (refer to the RD flowchart below).

  • When I receive my DPD verification statement, how can I complete the supervised practice requirements?

    You must complete a CADE-accredited Dietetic Internship. The application process is competitive and an applicant may apply to any number of DI Programs. A computer matching process with specified deadlines is used for most DI appointments. The DPD Program Director and the listing of the CADE Accredited or Approved Programs below are all resources for you in the application process. Contact the DI program director for application materials and to verify application deadlines.

    Upon completion of a Dietetic Internship, you will receive Verification Statements signed by the Program Director. This verifies completion of the supervised practice requirement for registration eligibility (refer to the RD flowchart below).

    Additional information about supervised practice programs and computer matching can be obtained by calling the ADA Accreditation Team at 312/899-0040, ext. 5400.

  • How can I complete both didactic coursework and supervised practice requirements in a Coordinated Program in Dietetics?

    If you complete registration eligibility requirements through the Coordinated Program, the CP Program Director will complete the same type of evaluation process. Again, the evaluation includes review of the equivalency report of your previous academic work from one of the evaluation agencies listed below, plus copies of all transcripts. Following this evaluation, you will be advised regarding the additional coursework necessary to complete the academic requirements, while also completing the supervised practice portion of the program (refer to the RD flowchart below).

  • I've completed a DPD and DI or a CP and have original verification statements from my program director. How do I establish eligibility to write the Registration Examination for Dietitians?

    The DI or CP Program Director will submit the registration eligibility information electronically to CDR. Then, CDR will mail confirmation of eligibility to you. Subsequently, you will receive an application for the registration examination from the testing agency. Upon achievement of a passing score on the exam, you will become a Registered Dietitian (refer to the RD flowchart below).

    CDR publishes a Study Guide for the Registration Examination for Dietitians. To purchase the guide (Catalog number 062506) call the ADA Sales and Customer Service Team at 800/877-1600, ext. 5000 or 312/899-0040, ext. 5000.

  • Why do I need original verification statements? What is the purpose of obtaining a verification statement?

    They are as important as obtaining a degree and often needed for similar purposes. Verification statements are documents that are awarded upon completing a CADE-accredited or approved dietetics education program. These are official documents that are necessary as proof that you have successfully completed the required education (academic and supervised practice) according to standards outlined by CADE. You need original verification statements (not photocopies) not only for the Dietetic Internship application process but also for ADA membership, employment and state licensure.

  • How does the process differ to become a Dietetic Technician Registered?

    The process is similar in that all academic degrees must be evaluated by one of the foreign degree equivalence agencies listed in the CDR-Approved Nonprofit Validation Agencies below. This evaluation and copies of all transcripts then need to be reviewed by a Director of a CADE-accredited Dietetic Technician Program. Refer to the CADE-Accredited or Approved programs below. Additional coursework and supervised practice may be required to obtain an original verification statement of completion of the Dietetic Technician Program. After you have obtained the verification statement, the program director will submit your registration eligibility application to CDR. Then, CDR will mail confirmation of eligibility to you. Subsequently, you will receive an application for the registration examination from the testing agency. Upon achievement of a passing score on the exam, you will become a Dietetic Technician, Registered (refer to the DTR flowchart below).

    The Commission publishes a Study Guide for the Registration Examination for Dietetic Technicians. To purchase the Guide (Catalog number 063006) call the ADA Sales and Customer Service Team at 800/877-1600, ext. 5000 or 312/899-0040, ext. 5000.

    If you have completed a minimum of a bachelor's degree from a US regionally-accredited college or university, or foreign equivalent, and have a verification statement from the Director of a CADE-accredited or approved DPD program, you may also apply to a CADE-accredited Dietetic Technician Program. Following completion of the Program, you will receive a verification statement and the program director will provide you information on how to submit the registration eligibility application to CDR. A Registration Eligibility Application for Dietetic Technicians may be obtained by calling the Commission on Dietetic Registration at 312/899-0040, ext. 4764. All original documents as outlined in the application materials must be attached to the application. The complete application must be submitted by the designated postmark deadline date. Written confirmation of receipt of the application will be forwarded to you. Upon achievement of a passing score on the exam, you will become a Dietetic Technician, Registered. This option could be considered by graduates of CADE-accredited or approved DPD programs who do not receive an appointment to a Dietetic Internship and want to be credentialed as a Dietetic Technician, Registered (refer to the DTR flowchart below).

  • Once I obtain my RD or DTR credential, can I practice anywhere in the US?

    Many states have enacted laws that regulate the practice of dietetics. It is important that you contact the state regulatory agency where you plan to practice before obtaining employment to obtain information on their requirements and regulations. A list of state regulatory agencies can be obtained on the CDR Web site (below). If your state is not among this list then it does not have licensure/certification. If you need further assistance, you may obtain information from ADA's Washington office by calling 202/371-0500. Please be aware that registration as a dietitian or dietetic technician with CDR, state licensure and membership in ADA described in the section Questions Regarding ADA Membership are separate processes (refer to the RD or DTR flowchart below).