In order to become a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist (RDN), the following is required:
- Minimum completion of a Master’s degree granted by a United States (U.S.) regionally accredited college or university or foreign equivalent is required to be eligible to take the CDR credentialing exam for dietitian nutritionists. See 2024 Graduate Degree Requirements for more information.
- You can get your Masters Degree while completing the NutraCo Dietetic Internship through one of our affiliated graduate degree programs – please see the program specific page for details.
- Students may also complete a student-identified graduate program.
- *Note: The mater’s degree must be in a major course of study in human nutrition, foods and nutrition, dietetics, public health, food systems management, or an equivalent course of study (including MBA, MEd and other relevant degrees).
- **Note: The graduate degree should be completed by the end of the DI program, although interns have up to 150% of the program completion length – please see the Program Objectives page for details regarding this length for each affiliated or student-identified graduate degree program.
- Signed original Verification Statement or Declaration of Intent from your DPD Director.
- Completion of at least 1000 hours of supervised practice, with a minimum of 700 hours in a professional work setting, through a dietetic internship program (such as NutraCo Dietetic Internship), Coordinated Program in Dietetics or an Individualized Supervised Practice Pathway (ISPP) through an ACEND accredited program.
- Pass the national examination administered by the Commission on Dietetic Registration (CDR). For more information regarding the examination, refer to the Academy website (login required) and CDR’s website
- Obtain a state certification or licensure if applicable in your state.
- *While state interpretations of statutes may vary, it is ACEND’s considered opinion that the program meets the educational requirements for dietetics licensure and certification in all states. However, completing an ACEND-accredited academic program alone does not qualify an individual for licensure or certification as a dietitian in any state. Individuals should review their state’s licensing statutes and regulations to understand the specific requirements, including supervised practice and examinations, needed to obtain a dietetics license. More information about state licensure and certification can be found at this link: https://www.cdrnet.org/LicensureMap
- NutraCo Dietetic Internship allows interns to customize their supervised practice rotations to meet their individual needs and interests. Upon completion of our program, graduates are eligible to take the credentialing exam for Registered Dietitian Nutritionists and to ultimately pursue their professional goals.
