2026 data Illinois board official source

Illinois Registered Dietitian / Nutritionist License Requirements

State-board requirements, fees, and renewal cycle drawn from official regulator records.

Provides dietary counseling and plans therapeutic diets.

What the Illinois data shows for Registered Dietitian / Nutritionists

To practice as a registered dietitian / nutritionist in Illinois, 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 Illinois's professional licensing framework, which classifies the training track as "Bachelor or Masters Degree plus Internship".

Upfront cost is $280, with renewal running $234 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.

On reciprocity, registered dietitian / nutritionists should know: Dietitian Licensure Compact: adoption underway.

Licensing Ease Score

F
Licensing Ease Score
29/100
Registered Dietitian / Nutritionist · Illinois

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
$280
One-time application/license fee
Renewal Burden F
$117/yr
$234 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 Illinois

Education / Training Hours
Bachelor or Masters Degree plus Internship
Not specified
Exam Requirement
Commission on Dietetic Registration Exam
Required
Initial License Fee
$280
Renewal Fee
$234
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 Illinois licensing authorities before making career decisions.

Frequently Asked Questions

What license do I need for Registered Dietitian / Nutritionist in Illinois?
In Illinois, the license path calls for, a passing score on Commission on Dietetic Registration Exam, and a $280 initial fee.
How do I get certified as a Registered Dietitian / Nutritionist in Illinois?
To become a licensed registered dietitian / nutritionist in Illinois, you must meet the state's requirements. You must also pass the required examination. Contact the Illinois licensing board to verify current requirements.
Can I transfer my Registered Dietitian / Nutritionist license to Illinois from another state?
Registered Dietitian / Nutritionist licenses generally reciprocate as follows: Dietitian Licensure Compact: adoption underway. Interstate licensing compacts cover many professions and can further ease a move between states. The Illinois licensing board can confirm the current rules for your credential.
Does Illinois require a background check for Registered Dietitian / Nutritionist licensing?
Illinois 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 Illinois?
Illinois ties continued registered dietitian / nutritionist licensure to 75 continuing-education hours, due every 2 years, alongside a $234 renewal fee.

What to do with this registered dietitian / nutritionist license

Registered Dietitian / Nutritionist in Illinois, 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 Illinois 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.