2026 data Arkansas board official source

Arkansas Registered Dietitian / Nutritionist License Requirements

Official regulator records behind the requirements, fees, and renewal cycle for this license.

Provides dietary counseling and plans therapeutic diets.

What the Arkansas data shows for Registered Dietitian / Nutritionists

Arkansas sets the entry bar for registered dietitian / nutritionists at board-approved training and a passing score on Commission on Dietetic Registration Exam, and applicants must be 18 or older. The credential is administered under Arkansas's licensing regime, which classifies the training track as "Bachelor or Masters Degree plus Internship".

Upfront cost is $111, with renewal running $99 on a 2-year cycle. Renewal isn't the end of the cost: 75 hours of continuing education are due every 2-year cycle, a recurring time commitment worth planning for.

For registered dietitian / nutritionists, the reciprocity picture is: Dietitian Licensure Compact: adoption underway.

Licensing Ease Score

D
Licensing Ease Score
48/100
Registered Dietitian / Nutritionist · Arkansas

A higher score means this specific license is LESS burdensome to obtain and maintain here than the national requirement corpus, based on education hours, fees, continuing education, and experience requirements, not an overall judgment of the profession or the state.

Education & Training N/A
N/A
Documented education/training hours required
Initial Fee D
$111
One-time application/license fee
Renewal Burden C
$50/yr
$99 every 2 years
Continuing Education F
37.5 hrs/yr
75 hours every 2 years
Experience Required A+
None required
Supervised work experience required before licensure

Licensing Requirements in Arkansas

Education / Training Hours
Bachelor or Masters Degree plus Internship
Not specified
Exam Requirement
Commission on Dietetic Registration Exam
Required
Initial License Fee
$111
Renewal Fee
$99
Renewal Cycle
Every 2 years
Continuing Education
75 hrs/cycle
Criminal History Check
Not Required
Minimum Age
18 years
Data sources: NCSL Occupational Licensing Database, Institute for Justice, state licensing boards. Verify current requirements with Arkansas licensing authorities before making career decisions.

Frequently Asked Questions

What license do I need for Registered Dietitian / Nutritionist in Arkansas?
Arkansas requires, passing an exam (Commission on Dietetic Registration Exam), and an initial fee of $111.
How do I get certified as a Registered Dietitian / Nutritionist in Arkansas?
Certification as a registered dietitian / nutritionist in Arkansas means clearing the state's checklist, and a passing exam score. The Arkansas licensing board can confirm the current details.
Can I transfer my Registered Dietitian / Nutritionist license to Arkansas from another state?
Reciprocity for registered dietitian / nutritionists nationally works like this: Dietitian Licensure Compact: adoption underway. Beyond that baseline, interstate compacts exist for many professions and may smooth a transfer into Arkansas. Verify the specifics with the Arkansas licensing board.
Does Arkansas require a background check for Registered Dietitian / Nutritionist licensing?
Arkansas does not currently require a criminal background check for registered dietitian / nutritionist licensing, though this may vary by employer or specific role.
What are the continuing education requirements for Registered Dietitian / Nutritionist in Arkansas?
To stay licensed as a registered dietitian / nutritionist in Arkansas, plan on 75 hours of continuing education per 2-year renewal cycle; renewal itself runs $99.

What to do with this registered dietitian / nutritionist license

Registered Dietitian / Nutritionist in Arkansas, with a documented reciprocity path, is one requirement row in a registered dietitian / nutritionist-wide, 50-state comparison.

Requirements shown are compiled from NCSL and Institute for Justice research; verify current rules with the Arkansas licensing board before making career decisions.

Source: NCSL Occupational Licensing Database, Institute for Justice License to Work (3rd Ed.), state licensing board websites

According to the National Conference of State Legislatures and the Institute for Justice, the PlainCredential comparison corpus (current as of May 15, 2026) maps 4,947 state licensing requirement records; see the methodology.