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How to become a registered dietitian in Delaware. Regulation: licensure required. CDR credential required. Supervised practice: 1,200 hours. Total initial fees: $409. Verified 2026-03-21. Data verified 2026-03-21. Source: LicenseMap (getlicensemap.com).
Registered Dietitian
Governing Authority
Delaware Division of Professional Regulation - Board of Dietetics/Nutrition
Official website →Most information on this page has been verified.
93% of data points are verified against official sources. 3 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
1,200 hrs
Supervised Hours
30 hrs
State CE Hours
$409
Total Initial Fees
2 years (expires 5/31 of odd years)
Renewal Period
Available credential types in Delaware
Licensed Dietitian (LD)
Medical nutrition therapy, nutrition assessment, nutrition counseling, nutrition education
Licensed Nutritionist (LN)
Nutrition counseling, nutrition education
Diet Technician
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 (CP) from ACEND-accredited institution
Details
CDR requires a master's degree for new RD/RDN credentialing effective January 1, 2024. Delaware also has an alternative nutritionist pathway requiring bachelor's degree and 900 supervised hours.
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
1,200 hrs
Practice Hours
Required
ACEND Accredited
Accepted Program Types
Details
Delaware requires 1,200 hours of supervised practice for dietitian licensure through ACEND-accredited programs. Alternative nutritionist pathway requires 900 Board-approved 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
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
Delaware State Jurisprudence Examination for Dietitians/Nutritionists
Exam Name
Delaware Division of Professional Regulation (state jurisprudence) and CDR/Pearson VUE (national exam)
Provider
$200
Exam Cost
Passing Rate
Approximately 80-90% first-time pass rate (CDR exam)
Retake Policy
CDR exam: may retake after 45 days. Jurisprudence exam may be retaken.
What Dietitians Can Do in Delaware
VerifiedAuthorized
Medical Nutrition Therapy
Authorized
Nutrition Counseling
Authorized
Enteral/Parenteral
Prescriptive Authority
No independent prescriptive authority for medications
Additional Scope Details
Delaware licensed dietitians may provide MNT, nutrition assessment, counseling, and education under the Dietitian/Nutritionist Licensure Act.
Telehealth
Allowed
Interstate Telehealth
No
Compact Member
Delaware allows telehealth delivery of nutrition services by properly licensed practitioners.
| Fee | Amount |
|---|---|
Application Fee Application and license fee for CDR-registered dietitians | $209 |
CDR Exam Fee Paid to CDR/Pearson VUE | $200 |
State License Fee Included in application fee | $209 |
Renewal Fee Biennial renewal (licenses expire 5/31 of odd years) | $131 |
Total Initial Fees Includes CDR exam fee ($200) and state application fee ($209) | $409 |
Renewal & CE/CPEU Requirements
Verified2 years (expires 5/31 of odd years)
Renewal Period
30 hrs
State CE Hours
No
Portfolio Required
CDR CPEU Requirement
75 CPEUs per 5-year CDR recertification cycle
Renewal Fee
$131
Biennial renewal
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
VerifiedAccepts Out-of-State Credentials
CDR Credential Is Portable
Reciprocity Type
endorsement
Transfer Details
Delaware accepts out-of-state dietitians with current CDR registration. State licensure verification from other jurisdictions may be required.
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
VerifiedDelaware protects the titles 'Licensed Dietitian' and 'Licensed Nutritionist' under Title 24, Chapter 38.
Delaware requires a state jurisprudence examination in addition to the CDR exam. The state has two pathways: dietitian (CDR-based, 1,200 hours) and nutritionist (bachelor's degree, 900 hours, jurisprudence exam only). Licensing fees differ between the two credential types.
Delaware is one of the few states requiring a state jurisprudence exam in addition to the CDR exam.
Delaware licenses both dietitians (via CDR credential) and nutritionists (via alternative pathway with 900 hours).
Licenses expire on May 31 of odd years.
Nutritionist license fee is $182 (different from dietitian fee of $209).
There is no interstate compact for dietitians.
Explore requirements for other professional licenses in Delaware.
How this state compares to 50 others for this profession
Timeline
#1 of 51
Salary
#20 of 51
Cost
#44 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
$64,330
25th percentile
Median
$71,140
-4% vs. national avg ($73,850)Experienced
$87,980
75th percentile
Wage Distribution (Annual)
360 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: Delaware Division of Professional Regulation - Board of Dietetics/Nutrition — Licensing Requirements
4–8 weeks
Estimated processing time
Source: Delaware Division of Professional Regulation - Board of Dietetics/Nutrition — Licensing Requirements
Study guides for the CDR registration exam for dietitians.
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Delaware uses licensure for dietitians. CDR registration is required. All credentialing is managed through the Delaware Division of Professional Regulation - Board of Dietetics/Nutrition.
Requirements vary by state and may change. Always verify current requirements with your state licensing authority and the Commission on Dietetic Registration.