Registered Dietitian License Cost by State (2026): Complete Fee Breakdown
Government licensing fees for registered dietitians range from $200 to $500 across the 51 jurisdictions we track. The spread is wide because states regulate dietitians in very different ways — from full licensure to no regulation at all. This guide breaks down every cost so you can plan your budget accurately.
Not every state even requires a state license. 2 states have no regulation at all, while 40 states require full licensure. The CDR (Commission on Dietetic Registration) credential is the national standard, required by 45 states for licensure.
Cost Categories
Government & Credentialing Fees
- State license / certification application: $200–$500
- CDR registration exam (RD/RDN): ~$200 (paid to CDR)
- CDR annual registration maintenance: ~$65/year
- Background check: $25–$75 (varies by state)
Education & Ongoing Costs
- Bachelor’s degree (minimum): $30,000–$100,000+
- ACEND-accredited DPD coursework: included in degree
- ACEND-accredited internship (unpaid): $500–$10,000+ in fees/expenses
- CE courses for renewal: $0–$500/year
- State renewal fees: typically $30–$200 every 1–2 years
Fees by Regulation Type
The type of regulation your state uses directly affects fees. States with full licensure tend to charge the most; states with no regulation charge nothing (you still pay CDR fees separately).
40
States with full licensure
6
States with certification
0
States with registration
0
Title protection only
2
No state regulation
5 Cheapest States (Government Fees)
No Regulation • CE: — • Renewal: N/A (no state license to renew; CDR registration renews every 5 years)
title_protection • CE: — • Renewal: N/A (no state license to renew; CDR registration renews every 5 years)
title_protection • CE: — • Renewal: N/A (no state license to renew; CDR registration renews every 5 years)
5 Most Expensive States (Government Fees)
Full State Table — All 51 Jurisdictions
Government fees only. CDR registration exam and education costs are additional.
| State | Regulation | Gov’t Fees | CDR Required | CE Hours | Renewal |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | Licensure | $450 | Yes | 30 hrs | 2 years |
| Alaska | Licensure | $450 | Yes | — | 2 years |
| Arizona | No Regulation | $200 | No | — | N/A (no state license to renew; CDR registration renews every 5 years) |
| Arkansas | Licensure | $250 | Yes | 15 hrs | 1 year |
| California | title_protection | $200 | Yes | — | N/A (no state license to renew; CDR registration renews every 5 years) |
| Colorado | title_protection | $200 | No | — | N/A (no state license to renew; CDR registration renews every 5 years) |
| Connecticut | Certification | $390 | Yes | — | 1 year |
| Delaware | Licensure | $409 | Yes | 30 hrs | 2 years (expires 5/31 of odd years) |
| District of Columbia | Licensure | $429 | Yes | 30 hrs | 2 years |
| Florida | Licensure | $408 | Yes | 30 hrs | 2 years (expires 5/31 of odd years) |
| Georgia | Licensure | $275 | Yes | 30 hrs | 2 years (expires March 31 of even years) |
| Hawaii | Licensure | $280 | Yes | 15 hrs | 1 year |
| Idaho | Licensure | $300 | Yes | — | 1 year (expires July 1) |
| Illinois | Licensure | $300 | Yes | 30 hrs | 2 years (expires October 31 of odd years) |
| Indiana | Licensure | $220 | Yes | 30 hrs | 2 years (even years) |
| Iowa | Licensure | $320 | Yes | 30 hrs | 2 years |
| Kansas | Licensure | $250 | Yes | 30 hrs | 2 years |
| Kentucky | Licensure | $250 | Yes | 15 hrs | 1 year (expires October 31) |
| Louisiana | Licensure | $300 | Yes | 15 hrs | 1 year (expires June 30) |
| Maine | Licensure | $350 | Yes | 15 hrs | 1 year (expires December 31) |
| Maryland | Licensure | $500 | Yes | 30 hrs | 2 years |
| Massachusetts | Licensure | $400 | No | 30 hrs | 2 years |
| Michigan | Licensure | — | Yes | — | Pending - licensure not yet active |
| Minnesota | Licensure | $300 | Yes | — | 1 year |
| Mississippi | Licensure | $300 | Yes | 30 hrs | 2 years |
| Missouri | Licensure | $250 | Yes | — | 2 years (even years in April) |
| Montana | Licensure | $300 | Yes | — | 1 year |
| Nebraska | Licensure | $275 | Yes | 24 hrs | 2 years |
| Nevada | Licensure | $300 | Yes | — | 2 years |
| New Hampshire | Licensure | $310 | Yes | 20 hrs | 2 years |
| New Jersey | No Regulation | $200 | No | — | N/A - no state licensure |
| New Mexico | Licensure | $350 | Yes | 15 hrs | 1 year |
| New York | Certification | $494 | No | — | 3 years |
| North Carolina | Licensure | $410 | Yes | 15 hrs | 1 year (January 1 - March 31) |
| North Dakota | Licensure | $300 | Yes | 30 hrs | 2 years |
| Ohio | Licensure | $275 | Yes | 24 hrs | 2 years |
| Oklahoma | Licensure | $300 | Yes | 15 hrs | 1 year |
| Oregon | Licensure | $310 | Yes | — | 1 year |
| Pennsylvania | Licensure | $245 | Yes | 30 hrs | 2 years |
| Rhode Island | Licensure | $260 | Yes | 30 hrs | 2 years |
| South Carolina | Licensure | $280 | Yes | 30 hrs | 2 years |
| South Dakota | Licensure | $275 | Yes | — | 1 year |
| Tennessee | Licensure | $300 | Yes | 30 hrs | 2 years |
| Texas | Licensure | $308 | Yes | 12 hours per 2-year licensing period, including completion of jurisprudence exam and human trafficking prevention training hrs | 2 years |
| Utah | Certification | $260 | Yes | — | 2 years |
| Vermont | Certification | $300 | Yes | — | 2 years |
| Virginia | title_protection | $200 | No | — | N/A - title protection only |
| Washington | Certification | $275 | Yes | 15 hrs | 1 year (birthday renewal) |
| West Virginia | Licensure | $250 | Yes | 15 hrs | 1 year |
| Wisconsin | Certification | $275 | Yes | — | 2 years (even years) |
| Wyoming | Licensure | $400 | Yes | — | 1 year |
How to Reduce Your Total Cost
Choose an in-state public university
In-state tuition at public universities for a nutrition / dietetics degree is typically $8,000–$20,000 per year, compared to $30,000+ at private schools. The CDR credential is the same regardless of school prestige.
Apply for paid dietetic internships
A growing number of ACEND-accredited supervised practice programs offer stipends or part-time employment during the internship. This can offset the cost of the 1,200+ supervised practice hours required for the RD/RDN credential.
Use free CDR-approved CE sources
CDR requires 75 CE credits every 5 years. Many professional organizations (Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, state affiliate dietetic associations) offer free or low-cost CE webinars and journal articles for members.
Practice in states with lower fees
Government fees vary from $200 to $500. If you are flexible about location, practicing in a lower-fee state reduces your upfront and renewal costs. Some states with lower fees also have growing markets for dietitian services.
Next Steps
How to Become a Registered Dietitian →
Education, CDR exam, and state licensure steps
Easiest States for RD Licensure →
Ranked by regulatory burden and fees
Sources
- State dietitian licensing board websites (all 51 jurisdictions)
- Commission on Dietetic Registration (CDR) — cdrnet.org
- Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics — eatright.org
- Data last verified March 2026
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