How to become a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist (RDN)
Registered Dietitian Nutritionists (RDNs) translate nutrition science into patient-care plans across clinical, community, sports, food-service, and outpatient settings. About 75,000 RDNs practice nationally per the Commission on Dietetic Registration. The credentialing requirements moved from bachelor's to master's as of January 2024.
Education
As of January 2024, the Commission on Dietetic Registration (CDR) requires a graduate degree to sit for the RDN exam, typically a Master of Science in Nutrition or a coordinated program leading to MS + supervised practice. ACEND-accredited programs are the only ones whose graduates are eligible.
Supervised practice
Candidates complete an ACEND-accredited supervised-practice rotation (formerly a "dietetic internship") totaling at least 1,000 hours across clinical, community, and food-service settings. Coordinated programs integrate the supervised practice into the master's curriculum; standalone internships run ~9-12 months post-degree. Match rates for standalone internships historically run 50-70%, coordinated programs avoid this risk.
Examination + licensure
After supervised practice, candidates sit for the CDR registration exam. Passing = RDN credential. About 38 states + DC also require state licensure in addition to RDN, application requirements vary; some states accept CDR registration directly, others require a state-specific application + fee.
Practice settings
Clinical (hospital + outpatient) is the largest segment, inpatient medical nutrition therapy, diabetes education, weight-management programs, oncology nutrition, renal/dialysis, eating-disorder treatment. Other paths: community + public health (WIC, SNAP-Ed), sports nutrition (collegiate, pro teams), corporate wellness, food-service management (Sodexo, Aramark, Compass), retail (supermarket dietitians at Kroger / Wegmans), private practice (insurance-billed or cash-pay), and pharmaceutical / food industry.
Specialization
CDR offers board certifications in 8 specialty areas, oncology (CSO), pediatric (CSP), renal (CSR), gerontological (CSG), sports (CSSD), obesity/weight management (CSOWM), and Intuitive Eating + clinical eating-disorder credentials offered through other bodies.