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Registered Dietitian
Total cost: $245
Governing Authority
Pennsylvania State Board of Nursing (Dietitian-Nutritionist Advisory Committee)
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
1,000 hrs
Supervised Hours
30 hrs
State CE Hours
$245
Total Initial Fees
2 years
Renewal Period
Available credential types in Pennsylvania
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
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
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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 Pennsylvania
VerifiedAuthorized
Medical Nutrition Therapy
Authorized
Nutrition Counseling
Authorized
Enteral/Parenteral
Prescriptive Authority
No independent prescriptive authority for medications
Additional Scope Details
Pennsylvania Licensed Dietitian-Nutritionist (LDN)s may provide MNT, nutrition assessment, counseling, and education. Practice exclusivity applies.
Telehealth
Allowed
Interstate Telehealth
No
Compact Member
Pennsylvania allows telehealth delivery of nutrition services.
| Fee | Amount |
|---|---|
Application Fee Application fee | $45 |
CDR Exam Fee Paid to CDR/Pearson VUE | $200 |
State License Fee Included in application fee | $45 |
Renewal Fee Renewal (2 years) | $45 |
Total Initial Fees Includes CDR exam ($200) and state fees | $245 |
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
Renewal Period
30 hrs
State CE Hours
No
Portfolio Required
CDR CPEU Requirement
75 CPEUs per 5-year CDR recertification cycle
Renewal Fee
$45
Renewal (2 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
Transfer Details
Pennsylvania 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 Pennsylvania with other states →
See how requirements, costs, and timelines differ across all 50 states.
Protected Titles
VerifiedPennsylvania protects the title(s) Licensed Dietitian-Nutritionist, LDN.
Pennsylvania unusually places dietitian-nutritionist licensure under the State Board of Nursing with a Dietitian-Nutritionist Advisory Committee rather than a standalone board. Fees are among the lowest at $45.
Pennsylvania places dietitian-nutritionist licensure under the State Board of Nursing with a Dietitian-Nutritionist Advisory Committee.
Very low fees at $45 for application and renewal.
30 CE hours per 2-year renewal.
Combined LDN title used.
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 Pennsylvania
See how Pennsylvania compares: Dietitian License Fees by State — Cheapest to Most Expensive →
Related Guides
Compare dietitian requirements across all states →
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How does Pennsylvania compare to other states for dietitian? See the full comparison →
Calculate the return on investment for your dietitian license →
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Dietitian Schools in Pennsylvania
Compare approved training programs, costs, and requirements.
Moving to Pennsylvania? Use our free Transfer Tool to see what you need →
Already licensed elsewhere? See how to transfer your Dietitian license to Pennsylvania →
Transfer your Dietitian license from Pennsylvania to: Delaware → | Maryland → | New Jersey → | New York → | Ohio → | West Virginia →
Pennsylvania uses licensure for dietitians. CDR registration is required. All credentialing is managed through the Pennsylvania State Board of Nursing (Dietitian-Nutritionist Advisory Committee).
Requirements vary by state and may change. Always verify current requirements with your state licensing authority and the Commission on Dietetic Registration.