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How to become a registered dietitian in Texas. Regulation: licensure required. CDR credential required. Supervised practice: 1,000 hours. Total initial fees: $308. Verified 2026-03-21. Data verified 2026-03-21. Source: LicenseMap (getlicensemap.com).
Registered Dietitian
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54% of data points are verified against official sources. 21 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
12 hours per 2-year licensing period, including completion of jurisprudence exam and human trafficking prevention training hrs
State CE Hours
$308
Total Initial Fees
2 years
Renewal Period
Available credential types in Texas
Licensed Dietitian (LD)
Medical nutrition therapy, nutrition assessment, nutrition counseling, nutrition education
Nutritionist
Diet Technician
Education & Academic Requirements
VerifiedMaster's degree from an ACEND-accredited program (required since January 2024 for new CDR candidates)
Minimum Degree
Required
ACEND Accredited
Yes
Master's Required
Didactic Program
Didactic Program in Dietetics (DPD) or Coordinated Program in Dietetics (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. CDR registration card serves as proof of meeting education and experience requirements.
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
Mostly verifiedRequired
Supervised Practice
1,000 hrs
Practice Hours
Required
ACEND Accredited
Accepted Program Types
Details
Minimum 1,000 hours of ACEND-accredited supervised practice required for CDR eligibility. CDR registration serves as evidence of meeting this requirement.
Supervised practice hours are typically completed through ACEND-accredited dietetic internships, coordinated programs, or individualized supervised practice pathways (ISPPs).
Exam Requirements
VerifiedRequired
CDR Registration
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
Texas Jurisprudence Examination for Dietitians
Exam Name
TDLR (state jurisprudence exam) and CDR/Pearson VUE (national exam)
Provider
$200
Exam Cost
Passing Rate
Approximately 80-90% first-time pass rate (CDR exam)
Retake Policy
CDR exam: may retake after 45 days, up to 3 attempts within 1 year. Texas jurisprudence exam may be retaken.
What Dietitians Can Do in Texas
Mostly verifiedAuthorized
Medical Nutrition Therapy
Authorized
Nutrition Counseling
Authorized
Enteral/Parenteral
Prescriptive Authority
No independent prescriptive authority for medications
Additional Scope Details
Texas Licensed Dietitians provide medical nutrition therapy, nutrition assessment, and nutrition counseling under TDLR regulation.
Telehealth
Allowed
Interstate Telehealth
No
Compact Member
Texas allows telehealth delivery of nutrition services by properly licensed practitioners.
| Fee | Amount |
|---|---|
Application Fee | $108 |
CDR Exam Fee Paid to CDR/Pearson VUE | $200 |
State License Fee Included in application fee | $108 |
Renewal Fee Biennial renewal | $90 |
Total Initial Fees Includes CDR exam fee and state application fee | $308 |
Renewal & CE/CPEU Requirements
Verified2 years
Renewal Period
12 hours per 2-year licensing period, including completion of jurisprudence exam and human trafficking prevention training hrs
State CE Hours
No
Portfolio Required
CDR CPEU Requirement
75 CPEUs per 5-year CDR recertification cycle
Renewal Fee
$90
Biennial renewal
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
Texas accepts out-of-state dietitians with current CDR registration. Must also pass the Texas Jurisprudence Examination.
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
VerifiedUse of the title 'Licensed Dietitian' or 'LD' without proper state licensure is a violation of Texas law.
Texas is one of the few states requiring a state-specific jurisprudence examination in addition to the CDR exam. TDLR took over dietitian licensing following Sunset review. Only 12 CE hours per 2-year cycle are required, among the lowest nationally. Renewal also requires human trafficking prevention training.
Texas uses Licensed Dietitian (LD) through the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation (TDLR).
Texas is one of the few states requiring a state-specific jurisprudence examination in addition to the CDR exam.
TDLR took over dietitian licensing from the former Board of Examiners of Dietitians following Sunset review.
Only 12 CE hours required per 2-year cycle, among the lowest state requirements.
Renewal requires completion of the jurisprudence exam and a human trafficking prevention training course approved by HHSC.
As of January 1, 2024, CDR requires a master's degree for new RD/RDN applicants.
TDLR established a new Texas Nutrition Advisory Committee in January 2026.
There is no interstate compact for dietitians.
Explore requirements for other professional licenses in Texas.
How this state compares to 50 others for this profession
Timeline
#1 of 51
Salary
#33 of 51
Cost
#34 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
$57,880
25th percentile
Median
$66,640
-10% vs. national avg ($73,850)Experienced
$78,800
75th percentile
Wage Distribution (Annual)
6,900 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: Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation (TDLR) — Licensing Requirements
4–8 weeks
Estimated processing time
Source: Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation (TDLR) — Licensing Requirements
Study guides for the CDR registration exam for dietitians.
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Texas uses licensure for dietitians. CDR registration is required. All credentialing is managed through the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation (TDLR).
Requirements vary by state and may change. Always verify current requirements with your state licensing authority and the Commission on Dietetic Registration.