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Registered Dietitian
Total cost: $410
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
15 hrs
State CE Hours
$410
Total Initial Fees
License renewal period is open January 01 – March 31, 2026
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.
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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
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
Affiliate link — we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you.
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 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 |
Use our licensing cost calculator to estimate your total investment including education and exam fees.
Calculate your licensing ROI →
See how quickly your license investment pays for itself.
Renewal & CE/CPEU Requirements
VerifiedLicense renewal period is open January 01 – March 31, 2026
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.
Moving to another state? Use our Transfer Tool to see what you need →
Compare North Carolina with other states →
See how requirements, costs, and timelines differ across all 50 states.
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.
Dietitian requirements in nearby states
Other professional licenses in North Carolina
See how North Carolina compares: Dietitian License Fees by State — Cheapest to Most Expensive →
Related Guides
Compare dietitian requirements across all states →
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How does North Carolina compare to other states for dietitian? See the full comparison →
Calculate the return on investment for your dietitian license →
Explore requirements for other professional licenses in North Carolina.
Dietitian Schools in North Carolina
Compare approved training programs, costs, and requirements.
Moving to North Carolina? Use our free Transfer Tool to see what you need →
Already licensed elsewhere? See how to transfer your Dietitian license to North Carolina →
Transfer your Dietitian license from North Carolina to: Georgia → | South Carolina → | Tennessee → | Virginia →
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.