Rhode Island — Newport harbor at dusk

Rhode Island Dietitian License

Board of Dietetics Practice

Total Fee
$75
Processing Time
6 to 8 Weeks
Fingerprints
Required
Rhode Island Attorney General's Office (Bureau of Criminal Identification - BCI)
Temp License
Available
See board

What You'll Need

  • Notarized Application & Photo — Application form with a notarized signature and a recent 2x3 head-and-shoulders photograph.
  • CDR Registration Verification — Proof of active registration sent directly from the CDR to the Board.
  • Criminal Background Check — An original BCI report from the Rhode Island Attorney General's Office.

How to Apply

Total Fee
$75
Processing Time
6 to 8 Weeks
Fingerprints
Required
Temp License
Available

Transfer License

Requirements
Rhode Island offers licensure by endorsement for dietitians/nutritionists actively licensed in other states, provided the requirements of the other state are equivalent to Rhode Island's. Applying via endorsement requires submitting the application, fee, and verification of all out-of-state licenses.

Steps

  1. Submit Your Application
    Apply through the Board of Dietetics Practice. The application fee is $75.
  2. Provide License Verification
    Rhode Island requires official verification of your active out-of-state license. This must be sent directly to the board from your current state board or its official online verification system before your file can be considered complete.
  3. Provide Notarized Application & Photo
    Application form with a notarized signature and a recent 2x3 head-and-shoulders photograph.
  4. Provide CDR Registration Verification
    Proof of active registration sent directly from the CDR to the Board.
  5. Provide Criminal Background Check
    An original BCI report from the Rhode Island Attorney General's Office.
  6. Complete Fingerprinting and Background Screening
    Rhode Island requires a criminal background check for all applicants. Out-of-state applicants can use IdentoGO Out-of-State Live Scan (adds ~$39.95 fee) OR FD-258 hard card via mail (tip: moisturize hands for days prior to reduce smudge rejects). Completing prints outside Rhode Island can add 2-4 weeks to your processing time.
  7. Await Board Processing
    Plan for a processing timeline of about 3 to 5 Weeks once your file is complete. If you need to start working immediately, most states do not offer temporary practice authorization during the endorsement process. Contact the state board directly for current policies on practice authorization while your application is pending.
  8. Review Licensure Requirements
    Familiarize yourself with the educational, supervised practice, and examination requirements (e.g., CDR exam) for Dietitian/Nutritionist licensure in Rhode Island as outlined by the Department of Health.
  9. Register for the RIDOH eLicensing Portal
    Create a new user account on the RIDOH eLicensing Portal by clicking 'Register Here' to access and manage your application.
Total Fee
$170
Renewal Cycle
Every 2 years (expires Nov 1 of odd years) + 20 CE hours
Compact
No
Board
Board of Dietetics Practice

Keeping Your License Active

Rhode Island Dietitian licenses renew Every 2 years (expires Nov 1 of odd years) + 20 CE hours. Contact the Board of Dietetics Practice for continuing education requirements and renewal deadlines.

Visit board site

Fees

ItemAmount
Application$75
Endorsement application$75
Fingerprint check$45.00 (plus a $1.40 credit/debit card processing fee)
Temporary permitSee board
Renewal170.0

Slow Downs

Fingerprinting delays
Out-of-state prints can add 2-4 weeks to your timeline.
Missing or incomplete documents
Have all your documents ready before starting the application to avoid processing delays.
Application errors
Double-check that your name matches across all documents exactly. Mismatches are a common reason for delays.

Questions

Sources
Board of Dietetics Practice
Last verified 2026-02-25