{"application_form_url":null,"application_portal_url":null,"board_contact_url":null,"board_email":"","board_fax":"","board_mailing_address":"665 Mainstream Drive<br>Nashville, TN 37243","board_name":"Board of Dietitian/Nutritionist Examiners","board_parent_org":"Tennessee Department of Health","board_phone":"(615) 532-3202","board_physical_address":"665 Mainstream Drive<br>Nashville, TN 37243","board_source_url":null,"board_url":null,"canonical_url":"https://statelicensingreference.com/tennessee-dietitian","ce_requirements_url":null,"common_delays":[{"description":"Out-of-state prints can add 2-4 weeks to your timeline.","title":"Fingerprinting delays"},{"description":"Have all your documents ready before starting the application to avoid processing delays.","title":"Missing or incomplete documents"},{"description":"Double-check that your name matches across all documents exactly. Mismatches are a common reason for delays.","title":"Application errors"}],"compact_member":false,"compact_name":"N/A","compact_privilege_fee":"N/A","created_at":"2026-04-09T17:05:34.583742+00:00","credential_type":"Licensed Dietitian/Nutritionist (LDN)","description":"Apply for a Tennessee LDN through the Board of Dietitian/Nutritionist Examiners. $140 application fee, CDR exam, background check required. Temporary permit available.","endorsement_application_url":null,"endorsement_fees":{"app_fee":"$140","background_check_fee":"$0 (included in application)","jurisprudence_exam_fee":"$0","total_estimated_cost":"$140"},"endorsement_steps":[{"description":"Apply through the Board of Dietitian/Nutritionist Examiners. The application fee is $140.","title":"Submit Your Application","url":null},{"description":"Tennessee 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.","title":"Provide License Verification","url":null},{"description":"Sent directly from the degree-granting institution, showing degree and date awarded.","title":"Request Official College Transcripts","url":null},{"description":"Copy of your current, active Commission on Dietetic Registration credential.","title":"Confirm Your CDR Registration Card","url":null},{"description":"Documentation verifying completion of ACEND-accredited supervised practice hours.","title":"Provide Supervised Practice Verification","url":null},{"description":"Recent photo meeting standard passport specifications.","title":"Provide Passport-Style Photograph","url":null},{"description":"Mandatory background screening as part of the application process.","title":"Provide Criminal Background Check Authorization","url":null},{"description":"Tennessee 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 Tennessee can add 2-4 weeks to your processing time.","title":"Complete Fingerprinting and Background Screening","url":null},{"description":"Plan for a processing timeline of about 3 Weeks once your file is complete.","title":"Await Board Processing","url":null},{"description":"Navigate to the Licensure and Regulatory System portal at apps.health.tn.gov/Licensure/ and click 'Register a New Account' to create a user ID and password.","title":"Register an Account with the Licensure and Regulatory System","url":null},{"description":"The Tennessee Board of Dietitian/Nutritionist Examiners will review the submitted application and all accompanying documentation. Upon approval, the license will be issued.","title":"Await Board Review and Licensure","url":null}],"exam_registration_url":null,"faqs":[{"@type":"Question","acceptedAnswer":{"@type":"Answer","text":"The initial application fee is $140, which includes the state regulatory fee. The CDR exam costs an additional $200. The biennial renewal fee is $90, due by the last day of your birth month."},"name":"How much does a Tennessee dietitian license cost?"},{"@type":"Question","acceptedAnswer":{"@type":"Answer","text":"Tennessee does not mandate state-level continuing education for license renewal. However, to maintain your CDR registration \u2014 which is required for state licensure \u2014 you must complete 75 continuing professional education units every five years."},"name":"Does Tennessee require continuing education for dietitians?"},{"@type":"Question","acceptedAnswer":{"@type":"Answer","text":"Tennessee offers a temporary permit for $5 for applicants who have CDR authorization to test. This permit allows practice while you await your exam results, provided your application is complete and on file with the Board."},"name":"Can I practice in Tennessee while waiting for my license?"}],"fee_payment_url":null,"fingerprint_delay_weeks":"2 to 4 weeks from the fingerprint appointment to the Board receiving the final clearance.","fingerprint_fee":"$37.15","fingerprint_method_in_state":"Electronic Live Scan at an IdentoGO (IDEMIA) location.","fingerprint_method_out_of_state":"Mail-in ink card (FD-258) process. Applicants must first submit their licensure application to the Board, which then mails a fingerprint card to the applicant. The applicant must then register for 'Cardscan' on the IdentoGO website and mail the completed card to IdentoGO for electronic conversion.","fingerprint_required":true,"fingerprint_url":null,"fingerprint_vendor":"IdentoGO by IDEMIA","fingerprint_vendor_url":null,"initial_fee_amount":140.0,"initial_fee_breakdown":"$140 application fee (includes state regulatory fee)","last_updated":"2026-02-25","last_verified":"2026-02-25","license_duration":"2 Years","licensing_pathway":"endorsement","payload_url":"https://statelicensingreference.com/api/tennessee-dietitian.json","processing_time":"3 Weeks (Average)","profession":"Dietitian","provisional_info":"Tennessee offers a temporary permit for $5 to applicants who have completed all requirements except passing the CDR exam. The permit holder must have CDR authorization to test and a complete application on file with the Board. The permit is valid until exam results are received and does not require supervision.","reciprocity_info":"Tennessee does not offer formal licensure by endorsement or reciprocity. Out-of-state dietitians must apply for a new Tennessee license through the standard application process, which requires current CDR registration, a complete application, and a background check. Holding an active CDR credential satisfies the education and examination requirements.","renewal_cycle":"Every 2 years (by birth month) \u2014 no CE required for state renewal","renewal_fee_amount":90.0,"renewal_portal_url":null,"required_documents":[{"description":"Sent directly from the degree-granting institution, showing degree and date awarded.","name":"Official College Transcripts"},{"description":"Copy of your current, active Commission on Dietetic Registration credential.","name":"CDR Registration Card"},{"description":"Documentation verifying completion of ACEND-accredited supervised practice hours.","name":"Supervised Practice Verification"},{"description":"Recent photo meeting standard passport specifications.","name":"Passport-Style Photograph"},{"description":"Mandatory background screening as part of the application process.","name":"Criminal Background Check Authorization"}],"slug":"tennessee-dietitian","state_name":"Tennessee","state_slug":"tennessee","statutes_url":null,"steps":[{"@type":"HowToStep","name":"Complete Education & Supervised Practice","position":1,"text":"Earn a master's degree or higher from an ACEND-accredited program in dietetics, human nutrition, or a related field. Complete at least 1,200 hours of ACEND-accredited supervised practice."},{"@type":"HowToStep","name":"Pass the CDR Examination","position":2,"text":"Successfully pass the Commission on Dietetic Registration (CDR) Registration Examination for Dietitians. The CDR exam fee is $200."},{"@type":"HowToStep","name":"Submit the Online Application","position":3,"text":"Apply through the Tennessee Online Application system. Pay the non-refundable $140 application fee. Include a passport-style photo and declaration of citizenship form."},{"@type":"HowToStep","name":"Complete Background Check & Provide Documentation","position":4,"text":"Authorize and complete a criminal background check. Submit official transcripts, proof of CDR registration, verification of supervised practice completion, and a letter of recommendation."}],"temp_license_available":false,"temp_license_duration":"N/A","temp_license_fee":"N/A","temp_license_processing_time":"N/A","updated_at":"2026-04-12T09:09:23.469642+00:00","verify_license_url":null}