{"application_form_url":null,"application_portal_url":null,"board_contact_url":null,"board_email":"Not Applicable","board_fax":"Not Applicable","board_mailing_address":"Not Applicable","board_name":"No State Licensing Board","board_parent_org":"Title Protection Only (Business and Professions Code Section 2585)","board_phone":"Not Applicable","board_physical_address":"Not Applicable","board_source_url":"N/A","board_url":"https://www.cdrnet.org/","canonical_url":"https://statelicensingreference.com/california-dietitian","ce_requirements_url":null,"common_delays":[{"description":"Delays in universities posting degrees to official transcripts can stall the submission of the CDR eligibility application.","title":"Transcript Processing"},{"description":"Failure to complete the required 1,000 hours of supervised practice within the program's timeframe prevents the issuance of a Verification Statement.","title":"Internship Completion"},{"description":"Limited availability at Pearson VUE testing centers can delay the final step of obtaining the credential.","title":"Exam Scheduling"}],"compact_member":false,"compact_name":"N/A","compact_privilege_fee":"N/A","created_at":"2026-04-09T17:05:28.570598+00:00","credential_type":"Registered Dietitian (RD)","description":"California does not issue state dietitian licenses, but strictly protects the Registered Dietitian (RD) title. Learn about CDR requirements and CA practice laws.","endorsement_application_url":null,"endorsement_fees":{"app_fee":"$0","background_check_fee":"$0 (included in application)","jurisprudence_exam_fee":"$0","total_estimated_cost":"$0"},"endorsement_steps":[{"description":"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.","title":"Verify National RD Status","url":null,"url_label":null},{"description":"Ensure your practice aligns with California Business and Professions Code Sections 2585-2586.8 regarding the scope of practice and title usage.","title":"Comply with Title Protection Laws","url":"https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/codes_displayText.xhtml?lawCode=BPC&division=2.&title=&part=&chapter=5.65.&article=","url_label":"View California Statutes"}],"exam_registration_url":null,"faqs":[{"answer":"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).","question":"Does California require a state-issued license for dietitians?"},{"answer":"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.","question":"What is the new degree requirement for 2024?"},{"answer":"Since there is no state board, you must verify their credentials through the Commission on Dietetic Registration (CDR) online search tool.","question":"How do I verify a dietitian's license in California?"},{"answer":"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).","question":"Can I practice as a 'Nutritionist' in California without a license?"}],"fee_payment_url":null,"fingerprint_delay_weeks":"N/A","fingerprint_fee":"N/A","fingerprint_method_in_state":"N/A","fingerprint_method_out_of_state":"N/A","fingerprint_required":false,"fingerprint_url":null,"fingerprint_vendor":"N/A","fingerprint_vendor_url":"N/A","initial_fee_amount":0.0,"initial_fee_breakdown":"No state fees (CDR national fees apply)","last_updated":"2026-02-25","last_verified":"2026-02-25","license_duration":"Not Applicable","licensing_pathway":"endorsement","payload_url":"https://statelicensingreference.com/api/california-dietitian.json","processing_time":"No state license required","profession":"Dietitian","provisional_info":"Because there is no state licensing board, there are no state-issued provisional permits in California.","reciprocity_info":"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.","renewal_cycle":"No state renewal required","renewal_fee_amount":0.0,"renewal_portal_url":null,"required_documents":[{"description":"Final transcripts showing the conferral of a Master's degree (or higher) from a regionally accredited institution.","name":"Official Academic Transcripts","url":null,"url_label":null},{"description":"An original document signed by the program director of an ACEND-accredited program.","name":"ACEND Verification Statement","url":null,"url_label":null},{"description":"Submitted electronically by the program director to the Commission on Dietetic Registration.","name":"CDR Eligibility Application","url":null,"url_label":null}],"slug":"california-dietitian","state_name":"California","state_slug":"california","statutes_url":"https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/codes_displayText.xhtml?lawCode=BPC&division=2.&title=&part=&chapter=5.65.&article=","steps":[{"description":"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).","title":"Complete Accredited Education","url":"https://www.eatrightpro.org/acend/accredited-programs/about-accredited-programs","url_label":"Find Accredited Programs"},{"description":"Complete at least 1,000 hours of supervised practice through an ACEND-accredited Dietetic Internship (DI), Coordinated Program (CP), or Graduate Program (GP).","title":"Complete Supervised Practice","url":null,"url_label":null},{"description":"Secure an official Verification Statement from your ACEND program director confirming completion of all educational and supervised practice requirements.","title":"Obtain Verification Statement","url":null,"url_label":null},{"description":"Your program director will submit your information to the Commission on Dietetic Registration (CDR) to establish your eligibility for the national exam.","title":"Apply for CDR Eligibility","url":null,"url_label":null},{"description":"Schedule and pass the Registration Examination for Dietitians administered by Pearson VUE on behalf of the CDR.","title":"Pass the Registration Examination","url":null,"url_label":null},{"description":"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.","title":"Maintain National Registration","url":null,"url_label":null}],"temp_license_available":false,"temp_license_duration":null,"temp_license_fee":"See board","temp_license_processing_time":null,"updated_at":"2026-04-10T17:08:52.012730+00:00","verify_license_url":null}