To become an RDN, an individual must:

1. Earn a bachelor’s degree/complete all Didactic Program in Dietetics (DPD) required courses to receive a verification statement from a program accredited by ACEND (e.g., Lamar University’s Didactic Program in Nutrition and Dietetics (DPD)).
2. Successfully complete an ACEND-accredited supervised practice dietetic internship (e.g. Lamar University’s Dietetic Internship Program).
3. Take and successfully pass the Commission on Dietetic Registration Examination for Dietitians. Professional licensure requirements vary by state with some states requiring licensure—see the Commission on Dietetic Registration State Licensure Map. The Lamar University DPD program is located in Texas.
4. Maintain 75 Continuing Professional Education Units (CPEUs) every five years to maintain registration status.

What Does a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist Do?

A registered dietitian nutritionist (RDN) is a credentialed health professional qualified to provide dietary guidance and medical nutrition therapy to individuals and groups of people with the goal of promoting health and managing nutrition-related diseases.

RDNs are nutrition and food experts and can work in a variety of fields such as clinical nutrition, community nutrition, foodservice and private practice.

All RDNs are nutritionists. Not all nutritionists are RDNs. "Nutritionists" is a non-credentialed, unregulated title, meaning some states allow the title "nutritionist" to be used, regardless of education or experience.

Effective January 1, 2024, the Commission on Dietetic Registration (CDR) requires a minimum of a master's degree to be eligible to take the credentialing exam to become a registered dietitian nutritionist (RDN). For more information about this requirement visit CDR's website. 

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). Graduates who successfully complete the ACEND-accredited didactic in dietetics program at Lamar University are eligible to apply to an ACEND-accredited supervised practice program.