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How to become a registered dietitian in Maine. Regulation: licensure required. CDR credential required. Supervised practice: 1,000 hours. Total initial fees: $350. 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
15 hrs
State CE Hours
$350
Total Initial Fees
1 year (expires December 31)
Renewal Period
Available credential types in Maine
Licensed Dietitian (LD)
Medical nutrition therapy, nutrition assessment, nutrition counseling, nutrition education
Licensed Dietetic Technician
Nutrition counseling, nutrition education
Licensed Dietetic Technician
Nutrition screening, education under dietitian supervision
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.
Supervised Practice Requirements
VerifiedRequired
Supervised Practice
1,000 hrs
Practice Hours
Required
ACEND Accredited
Accepted Program Types
Details
Minimum 1000 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
What Dietitians Can Do in Maine
VerifiedAuthorized
Medical Nutrition Therapy
Authorized
Nutrition Counseling
Authorized
Enteral/Parenteral
Prescriptive Authority
No independent prescriptive authority for medications
Additional Scope Details
Maine Licensed Dietitian (LD)s may provide MNT, nutrition assessment, counseling, and education. Practice exclusivity applies.
Telehealth
Allowed
Interstate Telehealth
No
Compact Member
Maine allows telehealth delivery of nutrition services by properly licensed practitioners.
| Fee | Amount |
|---|---|
Application Fee Application fee | $150 |
CDR Exam Fee Paid to CDR/Pearson VUE | $200 |
State License Fee Included in application fee | $150 |
Renewal Fee Renewal (1 year (expires December 31)) | $150 |
Total Initial Fees Includes CDR exam ($200) and state application ($150) | $350 |
Renewal & CE/CPEU Requirements
Verified1 year (expires December 31)
Renewal Period
15 hrs
State CE Hours
No
Portfolio Required
CDR CPEU Requirement
75 CPEUs per 5-year CDR recertification cycle
Renewal Fee
$150
Renewal (1 year (expires December 31))
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
Maine 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
VerifiedMaine protects the title(s) Licensed Dietitian, LD. Use without proper licensure is prohibited.
Maine requires at least 4 of the 15 annual CE hours to come from approved Category 1 programs. A $21 criminal background check fee is required in addition to the $150 application fee. Maine also licenses dietetic technicians.
Maine Board of Licensing of Dietetic Practice is a standalone board.
Annual renewal by December 31.
15 CE hours per year, with at least 4 from approved Category 1 programs.
$21 criminal background check fee in addition to $150 application fee.
Maine requires both state licensure (LD) and CDR registration (RD).
As of January 1, 2024, CDR requires a master's degree for new RD/RDN applicants.
There is no interstate compact for dietitians.
Explore requirements for other professional licenses in Maine.
How this state compares to 50 others for this profession
Timeline
#1 of 51
Salary
#39 of 51
Cost
#38 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
$56,780
25th percentile
Median
$65,180
-12% vs. national avg ($73,850)Experienced
$76,590
75th percentile
Wage Distribution (Annual)
330 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: Maine Board of Licensing of Dietetic Practice — Licensing Requirements
4–8 weeks
Estimated processing time
Source: Maine Board of Licensing of Dietetic Practice — 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.
Maine uses licensure for dietitians. CDR registration is required. All credentialing is managed through the Maine Board of Licensing of Dietetic Practice.
Requirements vary by state and may change. Always verify current requirements with your state licensing authority and the Commission on Dietetic Registration.