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How to become a registered dietitian in Alabama. Regulation: licensure required. CDR credential required. Supervised practice: 900 hours. Total initial fees: $450. Verified 2026-03-21. Data verified 2026-03-21. Source: LicenseMap (getlicensemap.com).
Registered Dietitian
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61% of data points are verified against official sources. 18 fields based on preliminary research. We recommend confirming details with your state's licensing authority. See sources below · Report incorrect data
Licensure
Regulation Type
Required
CDR Credential
900 hrs
Supervised Hours
30 hrs
State CE Hours
$450
Total Initial Fees
2 years
Renewal Period
Available credential types in Alabama
Licensed Dietitian (LD)
Medical nutrition therapy, nutrition assessment, nutrition counseling, nutrition education
Licensed Nutritionist (LN)
Nutrition counseling, nutrition education; scope may be more limited than licensed dietitian
Diet Technician
Education & Academic Requirements
VerifiedMaster's degree from an ACEND-accredited program (required since January 2024 for new CDR candidates)
Minimum Degree
Required
ACEND Accredited
Yes
Master's Required
Didactic Program
Didactic Program in Dietetics (DPD) or Coordinated Program in Dietetics (CP) from ACEND-accredited institution
Details
CDR requires a minimum of a master's degree for new RD/RDN credentialing effective January 1, 2024. Existing RDs/RDNs are grandfathered.
Dietitian education requirements follow ACEND (Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics) standards. As of 2024, a minimum of a master's degree is required for new RD eligibility through CDR.
Supervised Practice Requirements
VerifiedRequired
Supervised Practice
900 hrs
Practice Hours
Required
ACEND Accredited
Accepted Program Types
Details
Alabama requires a minimum of 900 hours of supervised practice approved by the accrediting body. Most ACEND-accredited programs provide 1,000+ hours.
Supervised practice hours are typically completed through ACEND-accredited dietetic internships, coordinated programs, or individualized supervised practice pathways (ISPPs).
Exam Requirements
VerifiedRequired
CDR Registration
Not Required
State Exam
Credential Type
Registered Dietitian Nutritionist (RDN) or Registered Dietitian (RD) through CDR
Registration Exam
CDR Registration Examination for Dietitians
State Exam Details
CDR Registration Examination for Dietitians
Exam Name
Commission on Dietetic Registration (CDR) / Pearson VUE
Provider
$200
Exam Cost
Passing Rate
Approximately 80-90% first-time pass rate
Retake Policy
May retake after 45 days; up to 3 attempts within 1 year of initial eligibility
What Dietitians Can Do in Alabama
Mostly verifiedAuthorized
Medical Nutrition Therapy
Authorized
Nutrition Counseling
Authorized
Enteral/Parenteral
Prescriptive Authority
May order therapeutic diets in some settings; no independent prescriptive authority for medications
Additional Scope Details
Alabama allows LDs to provide MNT under physician referral. Licensed dietitians may perform nutrition assessment, nutrition counseling, and nutrition education.
Telehealth
Allowed
Interstate Telehealth
Yes
Compact Member
Alabama allows telehealth delivery of nutrition services by properly credentialed practitioners. Out-of-state practitioners providing telehealth to Alabama residents should verify state licensure requirements.
| Fee | Amount |
|---|---|
Application Fee Non-refundable application fee | $100 |
CDR Exam Fee Paid to CDR/Pearson VUE | $200 |
State License Fee Initial license fee | $150 |
Renewal Fee Biennial renewal; late renewal is $325 | $200 |
Total Initial Fees Includes $100 application + $150 license + $200 CDR exam | $450 |
Renewal & CE/CPEU Requirements
Verified2 years
Renewal Period
30 hrs
State CE Hours
No
Portfolio Required
CDR CPEU Requirement
75 CPEUs per 5-year CDR recertification cycle
Renewal Fee
$200
Late renewal fee is $325
Regulatory Board
Dietitians must maintain both state and national (CDR) credentials. CDR requires 75 CPEUs per 5-year recertification cycle. State CE requirements are separate and may differ from CDR requirements.
Out-of-State Reciprocity
Mostly verifiedAccepts Out-of-State Credentials
CDR Credential Is Portable
Reciprocity Type
endorsement
Transfer Details
Alabama accepts out-of-state dietitians through endorsement. CDR credential is the primary basis for reciprocity.
Additional Requirements for Transfer
The CDR (Commission on Dietetic Registration) credential is nationally recognized, but states may still require a separate state license or registration. Having an active CDR credential typically simplifies the transfer process.
Protected Titles
VerifiedUse of the protected title(s) without proper credential is a violation of the Alabama Dietetics/Nutrition Practice Act.
Alabama has a standalone Board of Examiners for Dietetics/Nutrition Practice (not under the Board of Medical Examiners). The board licenses both dietitians and nutritionists. Alabama requires a physician referral for MNT services.
Alabama requires licensure through the Board of Examiners for Dietetics/Nutrition Practice (not the Board of Medical Examiners).
CDR RD/RDN credential is required for state licensure as a dietitian.
As of January 1, 2024, CDR requires a master's degree for new RD/RDN applicants.
State CE requirements (30 hours per 2 years) are in addition to CDR's 75 CPEU per 5-year cycle.
Initial licensure total is $250 ($100 application + $150 license fee).
There is no interstate compact for dietitians.
Explore requirements for other professional licenses in Alabama.
How this state compares to 50 others for this profession
Timeline
#1 of 51
Salary
#38 of 51
Cost
#47 of 51
Processing
#1 of 51
Based on May 2024 Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS data for Dietitians and Nutritionists (SOC 29-1031)
Entry Level
$57,860
25th percentile
Median
$65,240
-12% vs. national avg ($73,850)Experienced
$78,890
75th percentile
Wage Distribution (Annual)
940 employed in this state
Note: BLS category "Dietitians and Nutritionists" includes both registered dietitians and nutritionists. Credentialing requirements differ between these roles.
Source: BLS OEWS – Dietitians and Nutritionists (May 2024)
National employment projections for 2024-2034
Projected Growth
+8.7%
High DemandNew Jobs
+6,900
over 10 years
Annual Openings
7,300
per year (avg.)
79,100 currently employed nationwide (2024)
Source: BLS Employment Projections 2024-2034 (September 2025)
Government fees and exam costs to obtain your initial license
Note: These are government licensing fees only. Education/training program costs (tuition, books, etc.) are not included as they vary widely by institution.
Estimated total: 240–370 weeks
Timeline estimated from licensing requirements on this page.
Source: Alabama Board of Examiners for Dietetics/Nutrition Practice — Licensing Requirements
4–8 weeks
Estimated processing time
Source: Alabama Board of Examiners for Dietetics/Nutrition Practice — Licensing Requirements
Study guides for the CDR registration exam for dietitians.
Browse Study Guides on Amazon →As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases.
Alabama uses licensure for dietitians. CDR registration is required. All credentialing is managed through the Alabama Board of Examiners for Dietetics/Nutrition Practice.
Requirements vary by state and may change. Always verify current requirements with your state licensing authority and the Commission on Dietetic Registration.