Registered Dietitian / Nutritionist / California
2026 data California board official source

California Registered Dietitian / Nutritionist License Requirements

Compiled from official public sources by the publisher.

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

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Provides dietary counseling and plans therapeutic diets.

What the California data shows for Registered Dietitian / Nutritionists

To practice as a registered dietitian / nutritionist in California, the state licensing board requires board-approved training, a passing score on Commission on Dietetic Registration Exam. Applicants must be at least 18 years old. The regulation sits under California's professional licensing framework, which classifies the training track as "Bachelor or Masters Degree plus Internship".

Upfront cost is $297, with renewal running $247 on a 2-year cycle. Maintaining the license requires 75 hours of continuing education per 2-year cycle, an ongoing cost applicants often underestimate when budgeting the career.

Reciprocity for this profession works like this: Dietitian Licensure Compact: adoption underway.

Licensing Ease Score

F
Licensing Ease Score
28/100
Registered Dietitian / Nutritionist · California

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 F
$297
One-time application/license fee
Renewal Burden F
$124/yr
$247 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 California

Education / Training Hours
Bachelor or Masters Degree plus Internship
Not specified
Exam Requirement
Commission on Dietetic Registration Exam
Required
Initial License Fee
$297
Renewal Fee
$247
Renewal Cycle
Every 2 years
Continuing Education
75 hrs/cycle
Criminal History Check
Not Required
Minimum Age
18 years

Compare & Explore

Compare all states for Registered Dietitian / Nutritionist All California licenses
Data sources: NCSL Occupational Licensing Database, Institute for Justice, state licensing boards. Verify current requirements with California licensing authorities before making career decisions.

Frequently Asked Questions

What license do I need for Registered Dietitian / Nutritionist in California? ▼
California's requirements cover, the Commission on Dietetic Registration Exam exam, and an initial fee of $297.
How do I get certified as a Registered Dietitian / Nutritionist in California? ▼
To become a licensed registered dietitian / nutritionist in California, you must meet the state's requirements. You must also pass the required examination. Contact the California licensing board to verify current requirements.
Can I transfer my Registered Dietitian / Nutritionist license to California 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 California. Verify the specifics with the California licensing board.
Does California require a background check for Registered Dietitian / Nutritionist licensing? ▼
California 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 California? ▼
Licensed registered dietitian / nutritionists in California must complete 75 hours of continuing education every 2 years. The renewal fee is $247.

Related Guides

What to do with this registered dietitian / nutritionist license

Registered Dietitian / Nutritionist in California, 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 California 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.

Read our methodology - how this data is sourced, computed, and verified.