Pathway to Becoming a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist (RDN)
Steps to obtain RDN Certification
Minimum of a master’s degree from an accredited university (as of January 1st, 2024).
Complete dietetics coursework at a program which has been accredited by the Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics (ACEND).
Complete an ACEND minimum of 1000 supervised experiential learning hours.
After completing coursework and supervised experiential learning, students are provided a verification statement to allow to sit for the national registration examination.
Complete and pass a national registration examination given by the Commission on Dietetic Registration (CDR).
Licensure is regulated at the state level. While no licensure is required in Virginia many states do require RDNs to be licensed. For more information regarding licensure, please visit Licensure Map and Statutes by State provided by the Commission on Dietic Registration.
Continued education is required for maintaining professional registration (RDN Status) and for updating and expanding practitioner knowledge and skills.
For more information on pathways to earn the RDN credential:
