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Registered Dietitian
Total cost: $300
Governing Authority
Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation (IDFPR) - Dietitian Nutritionist Practice Board
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
900 hrs
Supervised Hours
30 hrs
State CE Hours
$300
Total Initial Fees
2 years (expires October 31 of odd years)
Renewal Period
Available credential types in Illinois
Licensed Dietitian Nutritionist (LDN)
Medical nutrition therapy, nutrition assessment, nutrition counseling, nutrition education
Licensed Dietitian Nutritionist (LDN)
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 minimum of a master's degree for new RD/RDN credentialing effective January 1, 2024. Existing RDs/RDNs are grandfathered.
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
900 hrs
Practice Hours
Required
ACEND Accredited
Accepted Program Types
Details
Minimum 900 hours of ACEND-accredited supervised practice required.
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: 16/100
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 Illinois
VerifiedAuthorized
Medical Nutrition Therapy
Authorized
Nutrition Counseling
Authorized
Enteral/Parenteral
Prescriptive Authority
No independent prescriptive authority for medications
Additional Scope Details
Illinois Licensed Dietitian Nutritionist (LDN)s may provide MNT, nutrition assessment, counseling, and education. Practice exclusivity applies.
Telehealth
Allowed
Interstate Telehealth
No
Compact Member
Illinois allows telehealth delivery of nutrition services by properly licensed practitioners.
| Fee | Amount |
|---|---|
Application Fee Application fee | $100 |
CDR Exam Fee Paid to CDR/Pearson VUE | $200 |
State License Fee Included in application fee | $100 |
Renewal Fee Renewal (2 years (expires October 31 of odd years)) | $100 |
Total Initial Fees Includes CDR exam ($200) and state application ($100) | $300 |
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 (expires October 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
$100
Renewal (2 years (expires October 31 of odd years))
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 pathway confirmed; 'Licensed Dietitian Nutritionist - Endorsement' application listed on IDFPR page
Transfer Details
Illinois 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 Illinois with other states →
See how requirements, costs, and timelines differ across all 50 states.
Protected Titles
VerifiedIllinois protects the title(s) Licensed Dietitian Nutritionist, LDN. Use without proper licensure is prohibited.
Illinois uses the combined 'Licensed Dietitian Nutritionist' (LDN) credential. IDFPR launched CORE, a new online licensing system, in October 2024.
Illinois uses the combined title 'Licensed Dietitian Nutritionist' (LDN).
30 CE hours required per 2-year renewal.
IDFPR launched CORE online system in October 2024 for new applications.
CDR RD/RDN credential is required for state licensure.
As of January 1, 2024, CDR requires a master's degree for new RD/RDN applicants.
There is no interstate compact for dietitians.
CORE launched October 30, 2024 for new Dietitian Nutritionist applications
Dietitian requirements in nearby states
Other professional licenses in Illinois
See how Illinois compares: Dietitian License Fees by State — Cheapest to Most Expensive →
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Dietitian Schools in Illinois
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Moving to Illinois? Use our free Transfer Tool to see what you need →
Already licensed elsewhere? See how to transfer your Dietitian license to Illinois →
Transfer your Dietitian license from Illinois to: Indiana → | Iowa → | Kentucky → | Missouri → | Wisconsin →
Illinois uses licensure for dietitians. CDR registration is required. All credentialing is managed through the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation (IDFPR) - Dietitian Nutritionist Practice Board.
Requirements vary by state and may change. Always verify current requirements with your state licensing authority and the Commission on Dietetic Registration.