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How to become a registered dietitian in California. Regulation: no state regulation. CDR credential required. Supervised practice: 1,000 hours. Total initial fees: $200. Verified 2026-03-21. Data verified 2026-03-21. Source: LicenseMap (getlicensemap.com).
Registered Dietitian
Governing Authority
California Department of Consumer Affairs (title protection only; no state licensure board)
Official website →Some information on this page has not been fully verified.
78% of data points are verified against official sources. 10 fields based on preliminary research. We recommend confirming details with your state's licensing authority. See sources below · Report incorrect data
None
Regulation Type
Required
CDR Credential
1,000 hrs
Supervised Hours
None
State CE Hours
$200
Total Initial Fees
N/A (no state license to renew; CDR registration renews every 5 years)
Renewal Period
Available credential types in California
Registered Dietitian (RD) — title protection, not state licensure
Medical nutrition therapy, nutrition assessment, nutrition counseling, nutrition education. Only those with CDR credential may use the protected title.
Nutritionist
Dietetic Technician, Registered (DTR) — title protection only
Nutrition screening, nutrition education under RD supervision
Education & Academic Requirements
VerifiedMaster's degree from an ACEND-accredited program (required since January 2024 for new CDR candidates; bachelor's degree holders credentialed before 2024 are grandfathered)
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. California relies on CDR requirements for title protection eligibility.
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
1,000 hrs
Practice Hours
Required
ACEND Accredited
Accepted Program Types
Details
Minimum 1,000 hours of ACEND-accredited supervised practice required for CDR eligibility. California does not impose additional supervised practice requirements beyond CDR.
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 California
VerifiedAuthorized
Medical Nutrition Therapy
Authorized
Nutrition Counseling
Not Authorized
Enteral/Parenteral
Prescriptive Authority
No independent prescriptive authority
Additional Scope Details
California does not license dietitians but protects the title 'Registered Dietitian.' Only CDR-credentialed individuals may use the title. Non-RDs may provide general nutrition education but cannot use the protected title or represent themselves as dietitians. MNT is limited to those authorized under California law.
Telehealth
Allowed
Interstate Telehealth
No
Compact Member
California allows telehealth delivery of nutrition services. Since there is no state licensure, there are no state-level telehealth restrictions specific to dietitians beyond general healthcare telehealth laws.
| Fee | Amount |
|---|---|
CDR Exam Fee Paid to CDR/Pearson VUE | $200 |
Total Initial Fees CDR exam fee only; no state fees | $200 |
Renewal & CE/CPEU Requirements
VerifiedN/A (no state license to renew; CDR registration renews every 5 years)
Renewal Period
—
State CE Hours
No
Portfolio Required
CDR CPEU Requirement
75 CPEUs per 5-year CDR recertification cycle
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
VerifiedDoes Not Accept Out-of-State Credentials
CDR Credential Is Portable
Transfer Details
Title protection only; no state license to transfer. CDR credential is portable nationwide and is the sole basis for using the protected title in California.
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
VerifiedUnder California Business and Professions Code Section 2585, it is a misdemeanor for any person not meeting CDR criteria to use the titles 'registered dietitian,' 'dietitian,' 'dietetic technician,' 'RD,' 'DTR,' or any abbreviation implying they are a dietitian.
California protects the title 'Registered Dietitian' under B&P Code 2585 but does not have a state licensure program. Using the RD title without CDR registration is a misdemeanor. Non-RDs may still provide nutrition coaching or education but cannot use the protected title.
California has title protection ONLY — not state licensure. There is no state license to apply for or renew.
Only CDR-credentialed individuals may use the protected titles (RD, Dietitian, DTR).
No state-specific CE requirements exist beyond CDR's 75 CPEU per 5-year cycle.
Non-RDs may provide general nutrition education but cannot call themselves dietitians.
As of January 1, 2024, CDR requires a master's degree for new RD/RDN applicants.
There is no interstate compact for dietitians.
Explore requirements for other professional licenses in California.
How this state compares to 50 others for this profession
Timeline
#1 of 51
Salary
#1 of 51
Cost
#1 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
$78,250
25th percentile
Median
$93,640
+27% vs. national avg ($73,850)Experienced
$105,750
75th percentile
Wage Distribution (Annual)
9,630 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.
4–8 weeks
Estimated processing time
Study guides for the CDR registration exam for dietitians.
Browse Study Guides on Amazon →As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases.
California uses no formal regulation for dietitians. CDR registration is required. All credentialing is managed through the California Department of Consumer Affairs (title protection only; no state licensure board).
Requirements vary by state and may change. Always verify current requirements with your state licensing authority and the Commission on Dietetic Registration.