The path to becoming a registered dietitian (RD) in California involves a series of steps, including completing accredited education, gaining supervised practice experience, and passing a national examination. As of January 1, 2024, a master’s degree is required to be eligible to take the CDR Registration Examination for Dietitians. While California doesn’t require separate state licensure beyond CDR registration, maintaining your credentials demands ongoing professional development. This guide outlines each step of the process, from selecting an educational program through maintaining your registration and pursuing specialty certifications.
Educational Requirements
Graduate-Level Education
Under California code, dietitians must hold CDR registration to practice in the state. This requires completing education accredited by the Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics (ACEND). As of January 1, 2024, a graduate degree (master’s or doctoral level) is required to be eligible for the CDR Registration Examination. This represents a significant shift from previous requirements and affects all candidates seeking initial registration.
The master’s degree requirement means prospective RDs must complete graduate-level coursework in nutrition, dietetics, or a related field from an ACEND-accredited program. If you already hold a bachelor’s degree in another field, you can pursue a graduate degree that includes the required Didactic Program in Dietetics (DPD) coursework. This change aligns with trends in the healthcare profession toward advanced degrees and enhances the credibility and expertise of registered dietitians.
ACEND-Accredited Educational Pathways
California offers two primary educational pathways: Coordinated Programs (CP), which integrate coursework with supervised practice at the graduate level, and graduate Didactic Programs in Dietetics (DPD), which provide required academic preparation followed by a separate internship. Both pathways lead to a master’s degree or higher and meet the new 2024 requirement for CDR exam eligibility.
Graduate Coordinated Programs in Dietetics (CP)
Coordinated programs combine educational coursework with supervised experiential learning at the graduate level, allowing you to complete both requirements simultaneously. These programs typically last 2-3 years and culminate in a master’s degree, along with eligibility for the CDR exam upon graduation. This integrated approach is often the most efficient pathway to RD credentials under the new requirements.
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Examples of Graduate Coordinated Programs in California:
Loma Linda University, Loma Linda
- Master of Science in Nutrition & Dietetics (Coordinated Program)
- Master of Science in Nutrition & Dietetics (for those with a bachelor’s degree in another field)
- Master of Science in Nutrition & Dietetics (post-Didactic Program)
- Master of Public Health in Nutrition, Community Nutrition emphasis
California State University, Los Angeles
- Master of Science in Nutritional Science (Coordinated Program)
University of Southern California Leonard Davis School of Gerontology, Los Angeles
- Master of Science in Nutrition, Healthspan, and Longevity
Graduate Didactic Programs in Dietetics (DPD)
Graduate didactic programs provide the required academic coursework at the master’s level, meeting the 2024 education requirement. After completing your graduate DPD, you’ll need to complete a separate dietetic internship. This sequential approach offers flexibility in timing and location for your supervised practice experience.
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Examples of Graduate Didactic Programs in California:
California State University, Chico
- Master of Science in General Dietetics (for those with a bachelor’s degree in another field)
California State University, Los Angeles
- Master of Science in Nutritional Science
Undergraduate Programs: Foundation for Graduate Study
While a bachelor’s degree alone no longer qualifies you for the CDR exam, completing an undergraduate Didactic Program in Dietetics (DPD) provides the foundational coursework needed for graduate programs. If you’re starting your dietetics education, earning a bachelor’s degree in nutrition or dietetics from an ACEND-accredited program creates a strong foundation for graduate study.
Examples of California Undergraduate DPD Programs:
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- University of California, Berkeley - Bachelor of Science in Nutritional Science: Dietetics
- University of California, Davis - Bachelor of Science in Clinical Nutrition
- California State University, Fresno - Bachelor of Science in Food and Nutritional Sciences
- California State University, Long Beach - Bachelor of Science in Dietetics & Food Administration
- Pepperdine University, Malibu - Bachelor of Science in Nutritional Science
- California State University, Northridge - Bachelor of Science in Nutrition, Dietetics & Food Science
- California State Polytechnic University, Pomona - Bachelor of Science in Nutrition, Dietetics Option
- California State University, Sacramento - Bachelor of Science in Nutrition and Food
- California State University, San Bernardino - Bachelor of Science in Nutrition and Food Sciences
- Point Loma Nazarene University, San Diego - Bachelor of Science in Dietetics
- San Diego State University - Bachelor of Science in Foods and Nutrition
- San Francisco State University - Bachelor of Science in Dietetics and Nutrition Science
- San Jose State University - Bachelor of Science in Nutritional Science
- California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo - Bachelor of Science in Applied Nutrition
Alternative Online and Flexible Graduate Nutrition Programs
For students seeking flexible scheduling or exploring various nutrition specializations, several accredited online graduate programs offer quality instruction. When evaluating programs, verify ACEND accreditation status and confirm the program meets the 2024 graduate-level requirement for CDR exam eligibility.
Dietetic Internship
After completing your graduate coursework (unless you’re in a coordinated program that integrates both), you must complete supervised practice experience through an ACEND-accredited dietetic internship. These competitive dietetic internship programs require 1,200 hours of supervised practice and typically range from 8 months to 24 months in duration, depending on whether you pursue full-time or part-time study.
California offers 29 dietetic internship programs with diverse specializations, from mental health nutrition to community nutrition management. Application processes are highly competitive, with acceptance rates typically ranging from 40% to 60%. Strong academic performance (minimum 3.0 GPA recommended), relevant volunteer experience, and work in nutrition-related settings significantly improve your chances of acceptance.
Prepare application materials, including transcripts, letters of recommendation, personal statements, and verification statements from your DPD program director. Many California programs prefer candidates with Spanish language skills, given the state’s diverse population.
CDR Registration Examination
Upon completing your graduate education and supervised practice requirements, you’re eligible to take the CDR registration exam. You have one year from your eligibility date to schedule and complete the exam. Beginning in 2024, CDR also offers a Test Bundle option that provides two exam attempts within one year for candidates who want the security of a second opportunity.
Preparing for the CDR Exam
The CDR exam is a computer-adaptive test administered at Pearson VUE testing centers throughout California. The exam duration is 3 hours (extended from 2.5 hours as of 2024) and assesses your competency across four domains: Food and Nutrition Sciences, Nutrition Care for Individuals and Groups, Management of Food and Nutrition Programs and Services, and Foodservice Systems. You must answer a minimum of 125 questions, with the exam adapting its difficulty based on your responses.
Review preparation resources include the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics’ EatRightPREP for the RDN Exam and the Registration Examination for Dietitians Handbook for Candidates. The exam costs $200, payable through the CDR portal. Once your payment is processed, Pearson VUE will contact you to schedule your exam date and location.
California CDR Exam Testing Centers
California offers 26 Pearson VUE testing centers across the state, providing convenient access regardless of your location:
- Alhambra - 1000 South Fremont Ave, A7 Building, Suite 300
- Anaheim - 2125 E. Katella Ave, Suite 200
- Culver City - 300 Corporate Pointe, Suite 200
- Daly City - 2001 Junipero Serra Blvd., Suite 530
- Fairfield - 4820 Business Center Drive, Suite 150
- Fresno - 7555 N. Palm Ave, Suite 205
- Gardena - 1515 West 190th St., Suite 405
- Lake Forest - 23792 Rockfield Blvd, Suite 200
- Milpitas - 1551 McCarthy Blvd, Suite 108
- Oakland - 1000 Broadway, Suite 470
- Ontario - 3401 Centrelake Drive, Suite 675
- Pasadena - 70 S. Lake Ave, Suite 840
- Redding - 2190 Larkspur Lane, Suite 400
- Redlands - 1690 Barton Rd, Suite 102
- Roseville - 3010 Lava Ridge Court, Suite 170
- Sacramento - 8950 Cal Center Drive, Suite 215, Building #1
- Sacramento - 2295 Gateway Oaks Drive, Suite 150
- San Diego - 11770 Bernardo Plaza Court, Suite 463
- San Diego - 9150 Chesapeake Drive, Suite 100
- San Diego - 3838 Camino Del Rio N, Suite 205
- San Dimas - 140 Via Verde, Suite 110
- San Francisco - 201 Filbert St., Suite 200
- San Marcos - 570 Rancheros Drive, Suite 110
- San Mateo - 1825 South Grant St., Suite 705
- Santa Maria - 1010 South Broadway, Suite F
- Visalia - 5300 West Tulare Ave, Suite 108
- Westlake Village - 875 South Westlake Blvd., Suite 106
Exam Scoring and Retake Policy
A scaled score of 25 or higher passes the exam. The national first-time pass rate is approximately 80-85%, with California graduates from ACEND-accredited programs typically performing at or above this average. If you don’t pass on your first attempt, you may retake the exam no sooner than 45 days after your test date. The Test Bundle option (available since 2024) provides two exam attempts within the one-year eligibility window, offering additional security for candidates.
Maintaining Your Registration
Maintaining your RD certification involves completing 75 Continuing Professional Education Units (CPEUs) during each five-year period, with at least one ethics course required per cycle. The CDR’s Professional Development Portfolio (PDP) Guide helps you select appropriate continuing education activities aligned with your practice area and career goals.
Registration vs. Licensure in California
It’s important to understand the distinction between CDR registration and state licensure. CDR registration is a national credential issued by the Commission on Dietetic Registration that qualifies you to use the titles “Registered Dietitian” (RD) or “Registered Dietitian Nutritionist” (RDN). This credential is recognized across all states and territories.
State licensure, by contrast, is a separate legal requirement imposed by individual states to regulate the practice of dietetics within their borders. California does not require separate state licensure for registered dietitians beyond CDR registration. This means once you hold active CDR credentials, you can practice as an RD in California without additional state-level licensing requirements. Some states do require both CDR registration and state licensure, making California’s approach more streamlined for practitioners.
Note that some healthcare facilities, insurance companies, or employers may have additional credentialing requirements beyond CDR registration for employment or reimbursement eligibility; however, these are typically institutional rather than state requirements.
Specialty Certifications
Pursuing specialty certifications can fulfill your CPEU requirements while demonstrating advanced expertise in specific practice areas. Many of these certifications fulfill all 75 CPEUs for a five-year period, and recertification in the same specialty can satisfy the requirements for subsequent cycles.
| Specialty Certification | Credentialing Organization | Focus Area |
|---|---|---|
| Certified Specialist in Oncology Nutrition | CDR | Cancer nutrition therapy |
| Certified Specialist in Obesity and Weight Management | CDR | Weight management and bariatric care |
| Certified Specialist in Sports Dietetics | CDR | Athletic performance nutrition |
| Certified Specialist in Gerontological Nutrition | CDR | Older adult nutrition |
| Certified Specialist in Pediatric Nutrition | CDR | Pediatric and adolescent nutrition |
| Certified Specialist in Renal Nutrition | CDR | Kidney disease nutrition therapy |
| Certified Diabetes Care and Education Specialist | Certification Board for Diabetes Care and Education | Diabetes management and education |
| Certified Lactation Counselor | Academy of Lactation Po… |
Career Opportunities and Salary Outlook
California offers exceptional opportunities for aspiring registered dietitians, with the highest average salaries in the nation and diverse career pathways spanning clinical, community, research, and private practice settings. California registered dietitians earned an average salary of $94,390 in 2024, the highest in the nation. With ACEND-accredited educational programs and 29 dietetic internship options across the state, California provides a comprehensive training infrastructure for nutrition professionals.
Additional Information for Individuals with Foreign Degrees
Each country has its own credentialing agency with policies and procedures that an individual must comply with to meet registration eligibility requirements and become credentialed in that country. Individuals who want to be credentialed as a RD in the US must comply with CDR’s eligibility (i.e., degree, didactic, and supervised practice) and examination requirements.
If your degree is from outside the US, you are required to have your transcript evaluated by an approved Foreign Degree Evaluation Agency. A detailed course-by-course evaluation is recommended. After receiving your evaluation report, you will need to contact the program director of an Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics (ACEND) accredited Didactic Program in Dietetics (DPD), Graduate Program (GP) or Coordinated Program (CP) to request they review your transcript and foreign degree evaluation report. They will determine to what degree your prior learning meets current requirements and counsel you regarding any additional coursework needed to complete their program requirements.
Canadian Registered Dietitians
Canadian applicants who are graduates of a dietetics program recognized as accredited in Canada, who are members of Dietitians of Canada, and who are licensed as a Canadian RD (or equivalent provincial designation) may apply for registration eligibility with CDR.
Philippines Reciprocity
Individuals registered by the Professional Regulation Commission (PRC) of the Philippines will be eligible to take either CDR’s registration examination for dietitians or registration examination for dietetic technicians depending on their highest degree earned. These programs provide nutrition and dietetics coursework and supervised practice experiences in the country in which the program is located, to meet ACEND's core knowledge and competency requirements to become a nutrition and dietetics practitioner in that country. in order to meet eligibility requirements to take CDR’s entry-level registration examination for dietitian nutritionists.
International Coordinated Program in Dietetics (ICP)
All ICP programs are located in a country outside of the US and provide the required nutrition and dietetics coursework and at least 1000 hours of supervised practice experiences to meet ACEND®'s core knowledge and competency requirements to become a registered dietitian nutritionist.