California Dietitian License
No State Licensing Board
Total Fee
Contact board
Processing Time
No state license required
Fingerprints
Not required
N/A
Temp License
Not available
See board
What You'll Need
- Official Academic Transcripts — Final transcripts showing the conferral of a Master's degree (or higher) from a regionally accredited institution.
- ACEND Verification Statement — An original document signed by the program director of an ACEND-accredited program.
- CDR Eligibility Application — Submitted electronically by the program director to the Commission on Dietetic Registration.
How to Apply
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Complete Accredited Education ▾Earn a minimum of a Master's degree (as of January 1, 2024) from a program accredited by the Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics (ACEND).
Find Accredited Programs -
Complete Supervised Practice ▾Complete at least 1,000 hours of supervised practice through an ACEND-accredited Dietetic Internship (DI), Coordinated Program (CP), or Graduate Program (GP).
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Obtain Verification Statement ▾Secure an official Verification Statement from your ACEND program director confirming completion of all educational and supervised practice requirements.
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Apply for CDR Eligibility ▾Your program director will submit your information to the Commission on Dietetic Registration (CDR) to establish your eligibility for the national exam.
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Pass the Registration Examination ▾Schedule and pass the Registration Examination for Dietitians administered by Pearson VUE on behalf of the CDR.
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Maintain National Registration ▾Pay the annual registration maintenance fee and complete 75 continuing professional education units (CPEUs) every five years to maintain the RD/RDN title in California.
Total Fee
Contact board
Processing Time
No state license required
Fingerprints
Not required
Temp License
Not available
Transfer License
Requirements ▾
If you are a licensed dietitian moving to California from another state, you do not need to transfer your license. As long as your national CDR registration is active, you are legally permitted to practice.
Steps
-
Verify National RD Status ▾California does not have a state licensing board. If you hold a current RD/RDN credential from the CDR, you are legally authorized to use the title in California under BPC 2585.
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Comply with Title Protection Laws ▾Ensure your practice aligns with California Business and Professions Code Sections 2585-2586.8 regarding the scope of practice and title usage.
View California Statutes
Total Fee
$0
Renewal Cycle
No state renewal required
Compact
No
Board
No State Licensing Board
Keeping Your License Active
California Dietitian licenses renew No state renewal required. Contact the No State Licensing Board for continuing education requirements and renewal deadlines.
Visit board siteFees
| Item | Amount |
|---|---|
| Temporary permit | See board |
Slow Downs
Transcript Processing
▾
Delays in universities posting degrees to official transcripts can stall the submission of the CDR eligibility application.
Internship Completion
▾
Failure to complete the required 1,000 hours of supervised practice within the program's timeframe prevents the issuance of a Verification Statement.
Exam Scheduling
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Limited availability at Pearson VUE testing centers can delay the final step of obtaining the credential.
Questions
Does California require a state-issued license for dietitians?
▾
No. California does not have a state licensing board for dietitians. Instead, it has 'title protection' laws. To use the title 'Registered Dietitian' (RD) or 'Registered Dietitian Nutritionist' (RDN), you must be registered with the national Commission on Dietetic Registration (CDR).
What is the new degree requirement for 2024?
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As of January 1, 2024, the CDR requires a minimum of a Master's degree to be eligible to take the registration examination for dietitians.
How do I verify a dietitian's license in California?
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Since there is no state board, you must verify their credentials through the Commission on Dietetic Registration (CDR) online search tool.
Can I practice as a 'Nutritionist' in California without a license?
▾
California law protects the titles 'Dietitian,' 'Registered Dietitian,' and 'Registered Dietitian Nutritionist.' While the term 'Nutritionist' is not as strictly regulated, providing medical nutrition therapy (MNT) generally requires the RD/RDN credential under state law (BPC 2586).