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How to become a registered dietitian in District of Columbia. Regulation: licensure required. CDR credential required. Supervised practice: 1,000 hours. Total initial fees: $429. Verified 2026-03-21. Data verified 2026-03-21. Source: LicenseMap (getlicensemap.com).
Registered Dietitian
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
1,000 hrs
Supervised Hours
30 hrs
State CE Hours
$429
Total Initial Fees
2 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.
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
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 |
Renewal & CE/CPEU Requirements
Verified2 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.
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.
Explore requirements for other professional licenses in District of Columbia.
How this state compares to 50 others for this profession
Timeline
#1 of 51
Salary
#11 of 51
Cost
#46 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
$50,890
25th percentile
Median
$77,010
+4% vs. national avg ($73,850)Experienced
$92,700
75th percentile
Wage Distribution (Annual)
260 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: DC Board of Dietetics and Nutrition - DC Health — Licensing Requirements
4–8 weeks
Estimated processing time
Source: DC Board of Dietetics and Nutrition - DC Health — Licensing Requirements
Study guides for the CDR registration exam for dietitians.
Browse Study Guides on Amazon →As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases.
District of Columbia uses licensure for dietitians. CDR registration is required. All credentialing is managed through the DC Board of Dietetics and Nutrition - DC Health.
Requirements vary by state and may change. Always verify current requirements with your state licensing authority and the Commission on Dietetic Registration.