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Registered Dietitian
Total cost: $429
Governing Authority
DC Board of Dietetics and Nutrition under DC Health (HRLA - Health Regulation and Licensing Administration)
Official website →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
1,000 hrs
Supervised Hours
30 hrs
State CE Hours
$429
Total Initial Fees
2 years (licenses expire November 1 of odd-numbered years)
Renewal Period
Available credential types in District of Columbia
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. DC licensure relies on CDR registration as proof of education.
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
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.
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: 17/100
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
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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 District of Columbia
VerifiedAuthorized
Medical Nutrition Therapy
Authorized
Nutrition Counseling
Authorized
Enteral/Parenteral
Prescriptive Authority
No independent prescriptive authority for medications
Additional Scope Details
DC licensed dietitians may provide MNT, nutrition assessment, counseling, and education.
Telehealth
Allowed
Interstate Telehealth
No
Compact Member
DC allows telehealth delivery of nutrition services by properly licensed practitioners.
| Fee | Amount |
|---|---|
Application Fee License fee | $229 |
CDR Exam Fee Paid to CDR/Pearson VUE | $200 |
State License Fee Included in application; $144 portion is refundable if denied | $229 |
Renewal Fee Biennial renewal | $229 |
Total Initial Fees Includes CDR exam fee ($200) and DC license fee ($229) | $429 |
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 (licenses expire November 1 of odd-numbered years)
Renewal Period
30 hrs
State CE Hours
No
Portfolio Required
CDR CPEU Requirement
75 CPEUs per 5-year CDR recertification cycle
Renewal Fee
$229
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
DC accepts out-of-state dietitians with current CDR registration.
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 District of Columbia with other states →
See how requirements, costs, and timelines differ across all 50 states.
Protected Titles
VerifiedDC protects the titles 'Licensed Dietitian' and 'Licensed Nutritionist.' Practicing without a license is a violation of DC law.
DC requires passport-sized photos as part of the application process, which is unusual among jurisdictions. The Board of Dietetics and Nutrition consists of 5 DC residents including 4 licensed practitioners and 1 consumer member.
DC requires licensure through the Board of Dietetics and Nutrition under DC Health.
30 CE hours required every 2 years for renewal.
Application requires passport photos and government-issued photo ID.
Processing typically takes 4-6 weeks.
There is no interstate compact for dietitians.
Dietitian requirements in nearby states
Other professional licenses in District of Columbia
See how District of Columbia compares: Dietitian License Fees by State — Cheapest to Most Expensive →
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Dietitian Schools in District of Columbia
Compare approved training programs, costs, and requirements.
Moving to District of Columbia? Use our free Transfer Tool to see what you need →
Already licensed elsewhere? See how to transfer your Dietitian license to District of Columbia →
Transfer your Dietitian license from District of Columbia to: Maryland → | Virginia →
District of Columbia uses licensure for dietitians. CDR registration is required. All credentialing is managed through the DC Board of Dietetics and Nutrition under DC Health (HRLA - Health Regulation and Licensing Administration).
Requirements vary by state and may change. Always verify current requirements with your state licensing authority and the Commission on Dietetic Registration.