Arizona Dietitian License
No Dedicated State Licensing Board
Total Fee
Contact board
Processing Time
No state license required
Fingerprints
Not required
N/A
Temp License
Not available
N/A
What You'll Need
- Official Transcripts — Official transcripts from a USDE-recognized accredited institution showing the conferral of a Master's degree (or higher).
- ACEND Verification Statement — A signed document from an ACEND-accredited program director verifying completion of didactic and supervised practice requirements.
- Foreign Degree Evaluation — If your degree was earned outside the U.S., you must provide an evaluation from an approved foreign degree evaluation agency.
How to Apply
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Complete Accredited Education ▾Complete a bachelor's or master's degree from an ACEND-accredited program. Note: As of January 1, 2024, a Master's degree is required to be eligible for the registration exam.
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Complete Supervised Practice ▾Complete an ACEND-accredited supervised practice program (Dietetic Internship), typically involving 1,000 to 1,200 hours of clinical and community experience.
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Obtain Verification Statement ▾Upon completion of your program, your Program Director will issue a Verification Statement confirming you have met all academic and supervised practice requirements.
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Submit Eligibility to CDR ▾Your Program Director must submit your eligibility information directly to the Commission on Dietetic Registration (CDR) through their online portal.
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Register for the Exam ▾Once CDR approves your eligibility, you will receive an email from Pearson VUE with instructions to schedule your exam and pay the $200 examination fee.
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Pass the Registration Examination ▾Take and pass the Registration Examination for Dietitians at a Pearson VUE testing center. Results are typically available immediately.
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Maintain National Registration ▾Arizona does not require a state license. To practice legally using the RD/RDN title, you must maintain your CDR registration by paying annual fees and completing 75 CEUs every five years.
Total Fee
Contact board
Processing Time
No state license required
Fingerprints
Not required
Temp License
Not available
Transfer License
Requirements ▾
Arizona has no state licensing requirements to transfer. Your national CDR credential (RD/RDN) is recognized directly. No state endorsement process exists.
Steps
-
Reciprocity via CDR ▾Arizona does not have a state licensing board. If you are an RD/RDN in another state, your national CDR credential is valid for practice in Arizona without further state-level application.
Total Fee
$0
Renewal Cycle
No state renewal. CDR registration renews every 5 years with 75 CPE hours.
Compact
No
Board
No Dedicated State Licensing Board
Keeping Your License Active
Arizona Dietitian licenses renew No state renewal. CDR registration renews every 5 years with 75 CPE hours.. Contact the No Dedicated State Licensing Board for continuing education requirements and renewal deadlines.
Visit board siteFees
| Item | Amount |
|---|---|
| Temporary permit | N/A |
Slow Downs
Master's Degree Requirement
▾
Candidates who completed their education before 2024 but did not sit for the exam may now be required to obtain a Master's degree before they can be authorized to test.
Program Director Submission
▾
Eligibility is not automatic; your program director must manually upload your verification statement to CDR. Delays in this step prevent you from scheduling the exam.
Pearson VUE Availability
▾
Testing centers in major Arizona cities (Phoenix, Tucson) can book up weeks in advance, especially during peak graduation months (May-June and December).
Questions
Does Arizona require a state license for dietitians?
▾
No. Arizona is one of the few states that does not have a state-level licensing board. Practice is regulated by national registration through the Commission on Dietetic Registration (CDR).
Is the title 'Dietitian' protected in Arizona?
▾
Yes. Under A.R.S. § 36-416, only individuals who meet the qualifications of the CDR (Registered Dietitians) may use the titles 'Dietitian,' 'Registered Dietitian,' or 'RD/RDN'.
How do I verify a dietitian's credentials in Arizona?
▾
Since there is no state board, you must use the CDR's national 'Registry Search' tool to verify that a practitioner holds an active RD or RDN credential.
What happened to the voluntary licensure bill (HB 2820)?
▾
HB 2820, which proposed a voluntary state license, was vetoed by the Governor in 2021. As of 2024, there is no state-issued license for dietitians in Arizona.