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How to become a registered dietitian in North Carolina. Regulation: licensure required. CDR credential required. Supervised practice: 1,000 hours. Total initial fees: $410. 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
$410
Total Initial Fees
1 year (January 1 - March 31)
Renewal Period
Available credential types in North Carolina
Licensed Dietitian/Nutritionist (LDN)
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 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 North Carolina
VerifiedAuthorized
Medical Nutrition Therapy
Authorized
Nutrition Counseling
Authorized
Enteral/Parenteral
Prescriptive Authority
No independent prescriptive authority for medications
Additional Scope Details
North Carolina Licensed Dietitian/Nutritionist (LDN)s may provide MNT, nutrition assessment, counseling, and education. Practice exclusivity applies.
Telehealth
Allowed
Interstate Telehealth
No
Compact Member
North Carolina allows telehealth delivery of nutrition services.
| Fee | Amount |
|---|---|
Application Fee Application fee | $60 |
CDR Exam Fee Paid to CDR/Pearson VUE | $200 |
State License Fee Initial license fee | $150 |
Renewal Fee Renewal (1 year (January 1 - March 31)) | $95 |
Total Initial Fees Includes CDR exam ($200) and state fees | $410 |
Renewal & CE/CPEU Requirements
Verified1 year (January 1 - March 31)
Renewal Period
15 hrs
State CE Hours
No
Portfolio Required
CDR CPEU Requirement
75 CPEUs per 5-year CDR recertification cycle
Renewal Fee
$95
Renewal (1 year (January 1 - March 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
North Carolina 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
VerifiedNorth Carolina protects the title(s) Licensed Dietitian/Nutritionist, Licensed Nutritionist.
North Carolina has a multi-fee initial application structure: $60 application + $150 issuance + $38 background check = $248 total. Separate license categories exist for dietitians (Category A, CDR-based) and nutritionists (Category B, master's degree pathway).
North Carolina Board of Dietetics/Nutrition is a standalone board.
Initial license requires $60 non-refundable application fee, $150 issuance fee, and $38 criminal background check ($248 total).
Annual renewal by March 31 at $95.
15 CE hours per year.
Separate categories for dietitians (Category A) and nutritionists (Category B).
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 North Carolina.
How this state compares to 50 others for this profession
Timeline
#1 of 51
Salary
#42 of 51
Cost
#45 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
$57,200
25th percentile
Median
$64,910
-12% vs. national avg ($73,850)Experienced
$77,750
75th percentile
Wage Distribution (Annual)
2,620 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: North Carolina Board of Dietetics/Nutrition — Licensing Requirements
4–8 weeks
Estimated processing time
Source: North Carolina Board of Dietetics/Nutrition — 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.
North Carolina uses licensure for dietitians. CDR registration is required. All credentialing is managed through the North Carolina 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.