Registered Dietitian Nutritionists Requirements

Educational and professional requirements of Registered Dietitian Nutritionists

Registered Dietitian Nutritionists (RDNs) are food and nutrition experts who have met the following criteria to earn the RD credential:

• Completed a minimum of a master’s degree at a US accredited college/ university or foreign equivalent and course work accredited by the Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics.
• Completed an ACEND accredited supervised practice program at health-care facility, community agency, or a foodservice corporation or combined with undergraduate and graduate studies. Typically, a practice program will run six to 12 months in length.
• Passed a national examination administered by the Commission on Dietetic Registration (CDR.) For more information regarding the examination, refer to CDR’s website at www.cdrnet.org.
• Completed continuing professional educational requirements to maintain registration.

Pathway of Henry Ford Health Graduates: Didactic Programs in Dietetics (DPD) + Dietetic Internships (DI)

Bachelor's and graduate level — dietitian coursework only (must be completed before the Dietetic Internship required for RDN eligibility).

For more information on which pathway is best for you please refer to Become a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist.

The Henry Ford Hospital Dietetic Internship qualifies as an ACEND-accredited supervised practice program. Only graduates of ACEND-accredited programs are eligible to take the exam to become a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist or Dietetics Technician, Registered. Individuals who only degrees in nutrition, dietetics or other have related areas from programs that are not ACEND-accredited are NOT ELIGIBLE to take the exam to become a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist or Dietetics Technician, Registered.

Some RD’s hold additional certifications in specialized areas of practice. These are awarded through CDR, the credentialing agency for the Academy, and/or other medical and nutrition organizations and are recognized within the profession but are not required. Some of the certifications include pediatric or renal nutrition, sports dietetics, and diabetes education.

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: State Licensure.