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How to become a registered dietitian in Colorado. Regulation: no state regulation. Total initial fees: $200. Verified 2026-03-21. Data verified 2026-03-21. Source: LicenseMap (getlicensemap.com).
Registered Dietitian
Governing Authority
Colorado Department of Regulatory Agencies (DORA) — no state licensing board; voluntary title restriction through CDR only
Most information on this page has been verified.
91% of data points are verified against official sources. 4 fields based on preliminary research. We recommend confirming details with your state's licensing authority. See sources below · Report incorrect data
None
Regulation Type
Not Required
CDR Credential
Varies
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 Colorado
Dietitian / Certified Dietitian (title restriction only, not state licensure)
Title restriction only; no state-defined scope of practice for dietitians
Nutritionist
Diet Technician
Education & Academic Requirements
VerifiedNo state education requirements (CDR requires ACEND-accredited education for voluntary credential)
Minimum Degree
Not Required
ACEND Accredited
Yes
Master's Required
Didactic Program
CDR requires Didactic Program in Dietetics (DPD) or Coordinated Program (CP) from ACEND-accredited institution for RD/RDN credential
Details
CDR requires a minimum of a master's degree for new RD/RDN credentialing effective January 1, 2024. Existing RDs/RDNs are grandfathered. Colorado has no separate state education requirements.
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
VerifiedNot Required
Supervised Practice
Not Required
ACEND Accredited
Details
No state supervised practice requirements. CDR requires minimum 1,000 hours of ACEND-accredited supervised practice for RD/RDN credential.
Supervised practice hours are typically completed through ACEND-accredited dietetic internships, coordinated programs, or individualized supervised practice pathways (ISPPs).
Exam Requirements
VerifiedNot Required
CDR Registration
Not Required
State Exam
Credential Type
CDR RD/RDN required to use 'Dietitian' or 'Certified Dietitian' title, but no state mandate to hold CDR credential to practice
State Exam Details
$200
Exam Cost
What Dietitians Can Do in Colorado
VerifiedNot Authorized
Medical Nutrition Therapy
Not Authorized
Nutrition Counseling
Not Authorized
Enteral/Parenteral
Additional Scope Details
Colorado does not define a state scope of practice for dietitians. Title restriction only. A 2025 bill (HB25-1220) to regulate MNT was vetoed by the Governor.
Telehealth
No
Compact Member
No state dietitian license exists, so no dietitian-specific telehealth restrictions apply beyond general healthcare telehealth regulations.
| Fee | Amount |
|---|---|
CDR Exam Fee Paid to CDR/Pearson VUE if pursuing voluntary national credential | $200 |
Total Initial Fees CDR exam fee only if pursuing voluntary credential; 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 (if holding CDR credential)
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
No state license to transfer. CDR credential is the basis for title usage in Colorado and is portable nationwide.
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
VerifiedColorado restricts the titles 'Dietitian' and 'Certified Dietitian' to individuals who have fulfilled CDR requirements. The 'Nutritionist' title is not protected.
Colorado has only voluntary title restriction for dietitians, not state licensure. A 2025 attempt to establish state regulation of medical nutrition therapy (HB25-1220) was vetoed by the Governor. The 'nutritionist' title is not protected.
Colorado has voluntary title restriction only — NOT state licensure or certification.
The titles 'Dietitian' and 'Certified Dietitian' are restricted to CDR registrants, but there is no state license or board.
HB25-1220 (2025) attempted to create state licensure for MNT practitioners but was VETOED by the Governor in May 2025.
No state fees, no state CE requirements, no state application process.
CDR annual registration fee is approximately $80 (increasing to $90 in 2027).
There is no interstate compact for dietitians.
Explore requirements for other professional licenses in Colorado.
How this state compares to 50 others for this profession
Timeline
#1 of 51
Salary
#17 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
$63,150
25th percentile
Median
$72,590
-2% vs. national avg ($73,850)Experienced
$83,860
75th percentile
Wage Distribution (Annual)
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.
Colorado uses no formal regulation for dietitians. All credentialing is managed through the Colorado Department of Regulatory Agencies (DORA) — no state licensing board; voluntary title restriction through CDR only.
Requirements vary by state and may change. Always verify current requirements with your state licensing authority and the Commission on Dietetic Registration.