States licensed
51
Out of 51 jurisdictions tracked
2026 data 51 state boards official source
Registered Dietitian / Nutritionist Licensing Requirements by State
Licensing requirements, fees, and renewal cycles across 51 state regulatory boards.
Provides dietary counseling and plans therapeutic diets.
What the data says about Registered Dietitian / Nutritionist licensing
Registered Dietitian / Nutritionist is regulated across 51 states, with 51 of 51 (100%) requiring a passing exam score and 0 (0%) requiring a criminal background check before issuing a license. Specific training hour requirements are set by individual state boards rather than a national standard.
Initial licensing fees range from $50 in New Hampshire to $297 in California — a $247 spread for the same credential. The average first-time fee is $165. This means the state where you apply can cost you a meaningful premium over the cheapest jurisdiction for identical practice rights.
Continuing education is the ongoing burden most applicants overlook: 51 of 51 states require CE, averaging 75 hours per renewal cycle. Reciprocity and interstate compacts can shortcut the process for license-holders moving between states, but reciprocity rules vary state-to-state and typically still require a fee, a background check, and proof of good standing. The state-by-state table below shows the specific fee, exam, education, and reciprocity terms so you can compare before committing to an application.
Avg initial fee
$165
Application + first issuance
Adoption rates
States requiring an examination 100.0%
51 of 51 states require passing a board examination
States requiring background check 0.0%
0 of 51 states require a criminal-history check
States with CE renewal requirement 100.0%
51 of 51 states mandate continuing education (avg 75 hrs/cycle)
Cheapest vs priciest jurisdiction for Registered Dietitian / Nutritionist
A $247 fee spread for the same credential
Initial licensing fees in New Hampshire ($ 50) and California ($ 297) bracket the field — a 6× spread for identical practice rights.
NH
New Hampshire
0.50% top marginal rate
CA
California
2.97% top marginal rate
State-by-State Requirements
51 states| State | Edu. Hours | Exam | Init. Fee | Renewal | Cycle | CE Hrs | Details |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | — | Yes | $128 | $112 | 2 yrs | 75 | View → |
| Alaska | — | Yes | $87 | $80 | 2 yrs | 75 | View → |
| Arizona | — | Yes | $258 | $216 | 2 yrs | 75 | View → |
| Arkansas | — | Yes | $111 | $99 | 2 yrs | 75 | View → |
| California | — | Yes | $297 | $247 | 2 yrs | 75 | View → |
| Colorado | — | Yes | $263 | $220 | 2 yrs | 75 | View → |
| Connecticut | — | Yes | $219 | $185 | 2 yrs | 75 | View → |
| Delaware | — | Yes | $189 | $161 | 2 yrs | 75 | View → |
| District of Columbia | — | Yes | $193 | $165 | 2 yrs | 75 | View → |
| Florida | — | Yes | $205 | $174 | 2 yrs | 75 | View → |
| Georgia | — | Yes | $165 | $142 | 2 yrs | 75 | View → |
| Hawaii | — | Yes | $247 | $208 | 2 yrs | 75 | View → |
| Idaho | — | Yes | $84 | $77 | 2 yrs | 75 | View → |
| Illinois | — | Yes | $280 | $234 | 2 yrs | 75 | View → |
| Indiana | — | Yes | $158 | $136 | 2 yrs | 75 | View → |
| Iowa | — | Yes | $97 | $88 | 2 yrs | 75 | View → |
| Kansas | — | Yes | $94 | $85 | 2 yrs | 75 | View → |
| Kentucky | — | Yes | $118 | $104 | 2 yrs | 75 | View → |
| Louisiana | — | Yes | $232 | $196 | 2 yrs | 75 | View → |
| Maine | — | Yes | $57 | $55 | 2 yrs | 75 | View → |
| Maryland | — | Yes | $216 | $182 | 2 yrs | 75 | View → |
| Massachusetts | — | Yes | $209 | $177 | 2 yrs | 75 | View → |
| Michigan | — | Yes | $168 | $145 | 2 yrs | 75 | View → |
| Minnesota | — | Yes | $138 | $120 | 2 yrs | 75 | View → |
| Mississippi | — | Yes | $124 | $109 | 2 yrs | 75 | View → |
| Missouri | — | Yes | $134 | $118 | 2 yrs | 75 | View → |
| Montana | — | Yes | $239 | $201 | 2 yrs | 75 | View → |
| Nebraska | — | Yes | $91 | $82 | 2 yrs | 75 | View → |
| Nevada | — | Yes | $272 | $228 | 2 yrs | 75 | View → |
| New Hampshire | — | Yes | $50 | $50 | 2 yrs | 75 | View → |
| New Jersey | — | Yes | $212 | $180 | 2 yrs | 75 | View → |
| New Mexico | — | Yes | $243 | $204 | 2 yrs | 75 | View → |
| New York | — | Yes | $197 | $168 | 2 yrs | 75 | View → |
| North Carolina | — | Yes | $161 | $139 | 2 yrs | 75 | View → |
| North Dakota | — | Yes | $77 | $72 | 2 yrs | 75 | View → |
| Ohio | — | Yes | $178 | $153 | 2 yrs | 75 | View → |
| Oklahoma | — | Yes | $101 | $91 | 2 yrs | 75 | View → |
| Oregon | — | Yes | $285 | $238 | 2 yrs | 75 | View → |
| Pennsylvania | — | Yes | $192 | $164 | 2 yrs | 75 | View → |
| Rhode Island | — | Yes | $236 | $199 | 2 yrs | 75 | View → |
| South Carolina | — | Yes | $104 | $93 | 2 yrs | 75 | View → |
| South Dakota | — | Yes | $70 | $66 | 2 yrs | 75 | View → |
| Tennessee | — | Yes | $145 | $126 | 2 yrs | 75 | View → |
| Texas | — | Yes | $182 | $155 | 2 yrs | 75 | View → |
| Utah | — | Yes | $121 | $107 | 2 yrs | 75 | View → |
| Vermont | — | Yes | $60 | $58 | 2 yrs | 75 | View → |
| Virginia | — | Yes | $151 | $131 | 2 yrs | 75 | View → |
| Washington | — | Yes | $253 | $212 | 2 yrs | 75 | View → |
| West Virginia | — | Yes | $121 | $107 | 2 yrs | 75 | View → |
| Wisconsin | — | Yes | $131 | $115 | 2 yrs | 75 | View → |
| Wyoming | — | Yes | $64 | $61 | 2 yrs | 75 | View → |
Frequently Asked Questions
How many states license Registered Dietitian / Nutritionist professionals?
51 states require a license for Registered Dietitian / Nutritionist practitioners. Requirements vary significantly by state in terms of education hours, fees, and exam requirements.
What education is required to become a licensed Registered Dietitian / Nutritionist?
Education requirements vary by state. Check individual state requirements in the table below.
What is the average licensing fee?
The average initial licensing fee is $165, ranging from $50 to $297 across states.
Can I transfer my license to another state?
License reciprocity varies by state. Many states participate in interstate compacts that allow license portability. Check the reciprocity information in the state-by-state details for your specific situation.
Do Registered Dietitian / Nutritionist licenses require an exam?
51 out of 51 states require passing an examination to obtain a registered dietitian / nutritionist license. Exam requirements, names, and formats vary by state — check the state-by-state table above for specifics.
Is a background check required for Registered Dietitian / Nutritionist licensing?
0 out of 51 states require a criminal background check as part of the registered dietitian / nutritionist licensing process. Background check requirements and disqualifying offenses vary by jurisdiction.
Related Guides
Related Data Sources
Data Sources: NCSL Occupational Licensing Database, Institute for Justice License to Work (3rd Ed.), State licensing board websites. Data reflects research-based estimates; verify current requirements with your state licensing board before making career decisions.
Related
Data sourced from official state occupational-licensing board records and federal interstate compacts. See our methodology for details. Retrieved and formatted by PlainCredential Editorial
Disclaimer: This information is provided for informational purposes only and does not constitute professional advice. Data is sourced from NCSL and state licensing board databases. Consult a qualified professional before making decisions based on this data.
Read our methodology — how this data is sourced, computed, and verified.
| Publisher | Kiznis Studio |
| Sources | Public state occupational-licensing board records and federal interstate compacts |