top of page

BECOMING AN RDN

Process & requirements to become an RDN

Registered Dietitian Nutritionists are food and nutrition experts who have met the following criteria to earn the RDN credential - Quoted from Careers in Nutrition and Dietetics Factsheet available at  

https://www.eatrightpro.org/acend

Criterion -

  1. Completed a minimum of a bachelor's degree at a U.S. regionally accredited university or college or foreign equivalent, and possess a verification statement from an accredited didactic program in dietetics.

  2. Completed required supervised practice/experience through an ACEND accredited Dietetic Internship (DI), Coordinated (CP), Future Graduate (FG) or International Dietitian Education (IDE) Program or an Individualized Supervised Practice Pathway (ISPP) offered through an ACEND- accredited program. Information on ACEND accredited programs at www.eatrightpro.org/acend.

  3. Passed a national examination administered by the Commission on Dietetic Registration (CDR). For more information regarding the examination, refer to CDR's Website at www.cdrnet.org. In order to maintain the credential, an RDN must complete continuing professional educational requirements.

  4. Licensure may be required. Information for specific states is available at www.cdrnet.org.

NOTE: Effective January 1, 2024, the Commission on Dietetic Registration (CDR) will require a minimum of a master’s degree to be eligible to take the credentialing exam to become a registered dietitian nutritionist (RDN). In addition, CDR requires that individuals complete coursework and supervised practice in program(s) accredited by the Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics (ACEND). In most states, graduates also must obtain licensure or certification to practice. Graduates who successfully complete the ACEND-accredited [program type] program at [Institution name] are eligible to [apply to an ACEND-accredited supervised practice program/apply to take the CDR credentialing exam to become an RDN].

How does KADDI fit into the Professional Pathway?

  • Applicants to KADDI must have earned a minimum of a bachelor’s degree and a verification statement from an ACEND-accredited didactic program in dietetics.

  • A cumulative grade point average of ≥3.0 and grades of A or B is expected in all didactic coursework. 

KADDI is an ACEND-accredited supervised practice program.​

  • In order to graduate, an intern must pass all of the assignments in the program, thus fulfilling all the ACEND required competencies. Interns must also take a final competency exam in order to receive a verification statement which is required by the Commission on Dietetic Registration in order to sit for the national credentialing examination.

  • KADDI staff sends the required paperwork to CDR within two weeks of graduation from the internship. Graduates are usually notified they can schedule the exam shortly thereafter.

  • KADDI provides five verification statements with original signatures at program completion.

bottom of page