Quick Facts at a Glance
- Application Fee
- $95
- $95 Application Fee
- Processing
- 4 to 8 Weeks
- Subject to board volume
- Renewal
- $71
- Biennial (Every 2 years)
- License Duration
- 2 Years
- From date of issuance
Pennsylvania State Board of Nursing
Pennsylvania Department of State- Phone
- (717) 783-7142
- ST-NURSE@pa.gov
- Mailing Address
- State Board of Nursing
P.O. Box 2649
Harrisburg, PA 17105-2649 - Physical Address
- One Penn Center
2601 N. 3rd Street
Harrisburg, PA 17110
Pennsylvania Dietitian License Types
Licensed Dietitian-Nutritionist (LDN)
The standard credential for practicing dietetics or serving as a nutritionist in Pennsylvania. Administered through the State Board of Nursing.
How to Get Licensed in Pennsylvania
Fulfill Education & Experience Standards
Complete a Bachelor's degree (or higher) from a regionally accredited institution with a major in human nutrition, food and nutrition, dietetics, or food systems management, and complete a minimum of 900 hours of continuous supervised preprofessional experience.
Pass Written Examination
Pass a Board-approved examination, such as the Commission on Dietetic Registration (CDR) or the Board for Certification of Nutrition Specialists (BCNS) examination.
Take the Child Abuse Recognition Course
Pennsylvania law mandates that all health-related licensees complete 3 hours of Board-approved training in child abuse recognition and reporting before applying for an initial license.
Submit the Online Application
Create an account on the Pennsylvania Licensing System (PALS), complete the LDN application, upload your child abuse training certificate, and pay the non-refundable $95 fee.
Application Checklist
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Official College Transcripts Must be sent directly from your degree-granting university to the State Board of Nursing.
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Examination Verification Verification of a passing score on the CDR or BCNS exam, sent directly from the testing agency.
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Child Abuse CE Certificate A certificate proving completion of the mandatory 3-hour Pennsylvania child abuse recognition and reporting course.
Provisional Practice & Reciprocity
Pennsylvania does not grant temporary permits, but Act 41 allows the Board to issue provisional licenses to practitioners coming from other jurisdictions who need time to fulfill specific PA requirements.
Pennsylvania does not currently participate in interstate licensure compacts for nutritionists. Out-of-state applicants must apply via endorsement through the PALS system and provide verification of their active, good-standing license from their home state, along with proof of passing a Board-approved exam.
If your assignment start date is within 5 weeks, apply immediately and call the board at (717) 783-7142 to confirm current processing times.
Note: Pennsylvania does not offer a standard provisional license, so your license must be issued before your first day.
Renewal Requirements
Pennsylvania dietitian licenses renew biennial (every 2 years). Renewal fee is $71.
Pennsylvania Dietitian FAQ
How much does it cost to get an LDN license in Pennsylvania?
The initial application fee for a Licensed Dietitian-Nutritionist in Pennsylvania is $95. After issuance, it costs $71 to renew the license biennially.
Which Pennsylvania board issues the dietitian license?
Unlike many states with dedicated dietetics boards, Pennsylvania regulates Licensed Dietitian-Nutritionists under the State Board of Nursing within the broader Department of State.
What are the continuing education requirements for Pennsylvania dietitians?
To renew biennially, you must complete 30 hours of continuing professional education. Of those 30 hours, 2 hours must strictly be a Board-approved course in child abuse recognition and reporting.