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Registered Dietitian
Total cost: $450
Some details on this page are not yet confirmed against an official source. See sources below or contact the licensing board to verify.
Licensure
Regulation Type
Required
CDR Credential
900 hrs
Supervised Hours
30 hrs
State CE Hours
$450
Total Initial Fees
2 years (biennial; October 1 to September 30 of every odd-numbered year)
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.
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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
Overall licensing difficulty: 16/100
Study recommendation: 1–2 weeks of focused review is usually sufficient
Practice with realistic exam questions
RD Exam (Registered Dietitian Exam)
Browse study guides
Dietitian Exam Prep Books
Affiliate link — we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you.
Difficulty rating based on education, exam, and experience requirements. Individual experience may vary.
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Study guides for the CDR registration exam for dietitians.
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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 |
Use our licensing cost calculator to estimate your total investment including education and exam fees.
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Renewal & CE/CPEU Requirements
Verified2 years (biennial; October 1 to September 30 of every odd-numbered year)
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.
Moving to another state? Use our Transfer Tool to see what you need →
Compare Alabama with other states →
See how requirements, costs, and timelines differ across all 50 states.
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.
No mention of an interstate compact on the board website; consistent with no compact being listed
Dietitian requirements in nearby states
Other professional licenses in Alabama
See how Alabama compares: Dietitian License Fees by State — Cheapest to Most Expensive →
Related Guides
Compare dietitian requirements across all states →
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Dietitian Schools in Alabama
Compare approved training programs, costs, and requirements.
Moving to Alabama? Use our free Transfer Tool to see what you need →
Already licensed elsewhere? See how to transfer your Dietitian license to Alabama →
Transfer your Dietitian license from Alabama to: Florida → | Georgia → | Mississippi → | Tennessee →
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.