How to Become a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist

1 – Complete A minimum of a master’s degree

Complete a minimum of a master’s degree granted by a college or university accredited by a US Department of Education recognized accrediting agency or foreign equivalent, and coursework through an Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics (ACEND) accredited Didactic, Coordinated, Graduate or International Program.

2 – Complete a supervised practice

Complete required supervised practice/experience through an ACEND-accredited Dietetic Internship, Coordinated Program or Graduate Program.

3 – pass the national registration exam

After meeting all requirements (above) and receiving notification of eligibility from the Commission on Dietetic Registration, you can schedule the national registration exam.

4 – Meet requirements to practice in your state

Many states, including North Carolina, require licensure to practice. Refer to the CDR licensure map and our University Professional Disclosures dashboard for details.

Option 1: Current UNCG Undergraduate Nutrition Students

• Enroll in the B.S. in Nutrition, Human Nutrition and Dietetics concentration
• Complete required coursework and receive a Didactic Program in Dietetics (DPD) verification statement
• Apply to UNCG’s Combined Master of Science/Dietetic Internship (M.S./DI) Program
• After completing the M.S./DI program, you become eligible to take the national registration exam

Option 2: Students with bachelor’s degree from another accredited university

Path A: Second Bachelor’s Degree (DPD Only)

• Apply to UNCG as a second-degree student in Human Nutrition and Dietetics
• Complete required DPD coursework (at least 12 credit hours must be taken at UNCG)
• A full second degree is not required — only the DPD courses
• Receive a DPD verification statement
• Apply to the Combined M.S./DI Program
• Upon completion, you are eligible to sit for the registration exam

Path B: Master’s Degree with DPD Coursework

• Apply directly to UNCG’s Master of Science (M.S.) in Nutrition
• Complete DPD course requirements alongside graduate coursework
• Receive a DPD verification statement
• Transition into the Dietetic Internship while continuing the M.S. program
• Upon completion, you are eligible for the registration exam

Option 3: M.S./Ph.D.

• Enroll in the M.S. or Ph.D. in Nutrition at UNCG
• Complete the required DPD coursework during your graduate program
• Receive a DPD verification statement
• Enter the Dietetic Internship (DI) while continuing in your graduate program
• Ph.D. students are also eligible for the internship
• After completing the internship, you are eligible to take the national registration exam

Resources

• Theory and coursework to become an RDN – Didactic Program in Dietetics (DPD)
• The supervised practice – Dietetic Internship Program (DI)
• M.S./Dietetic Internship Combined Program
• M.S. in Nutrition
• Frequently Asked Questions
• Academy of Nutrition and dietetics – Becoming a RDN
• Commission on Dietetic Registration licensure map
• UNCG DI program Professional Licensure Disclosure State by State (PDF)