Healthcare License
How to Verify a Dietitian's or Nutritionist's License
Registered Dietitian Nutritionists (RDNs) hold a national credential from the Commission on Dietetic Registration (CDR) and are licensed in about 46 states. "Nutritionist" is often unregulated — the distinction matters for clinical roles.
Quick answer
Verify CDR RD/RDN certification at cdrnet.org/verify-credential — this is the primary national credential. Also check the state dietitian licensing board in the state of practice (~46 states license dietitians). Run an OIG exclusion check for clinical roles. For "nutritionist" claims, confirm what specific credential or license is actually held — the title is often unregulated.
RD vs. RDN vs. nutritionist
The credential landscape for nutrition professionals is confusing because "nutritionist" is often an unprotected title:
| Title | Regulated? | Credential / Verification |
|---|---|---|
| RD (Registered Dietitian) | Yes — CDR national credential | CDR cdrnet.org + state license |
| RDN (Registered Dietitian Nutritionist) | Yes — same CDR credential, updated title | CDR cdrnet.org + state license |
| Licensed Dietitian (LD) | Yes — state license | State dietitian licensing board |
| Nutritionist (generic) | Usually NO — unprotected title in most states | Verify what specific credential is claimed |
| CN (Certified Nutritionist) | Only in Washington State (state-licensed) | WA Dept. of Health |
In most states, anyone can call themselves a "nutritionist" with no license or credential. For clinical medical nutrition therapy (MNT), Medicare requires an RD/RDN credential. Always verify what specific credential is held, not just the job title.
Step 1: CDR credential verification
The Commission on Dietetic Registration (CDR) maintains a free public verification tool at cdrnet.org/verify-credential. Search by name or CDR registration number to confirm:
- Active/inactive RD or RDN registration status
- Registration number
- Specialty certifications (if any)
- Continuing professional education (CPE) compliance
CDR requires 75 hours of CPE every 5 years for registration maintenance. An "Active" CDR status indicates all requirements are current.
Step 2: State dietitian license
About 46 states license or certify dietitians. The licensing board is usually part of the state health professions regulatory structure. Search by name or license number to confirm license status and expiration.
Key state dietitian licensing portals
- California: CA Board of Registered Dietitians (BRD) — brd.ca.gov
- Texas: TX Dept. of Licensing and Regulation (Dietitians) — tdlr.texas.gov
- Florida: FL DBPR — myfloridalicense.com
- New York: NYS Office of the Professions — op.nysed.gov/verification
- Unlicensed states: Arizona, Colorado, Illinois, Michigan, New Jersey — CDR RD/RDN verification only
CDR specialty certifications
CDR offers specialty certifications for RDNs in specific practice areas:
- CSO (Certified Specialist in Oncology Nutrition)
- CSSD (Certified Specialist in Sports Dietetics)
- CSOWM (Certified Specialist in Obesity and Weight Management)
- CSP (Certified Specialist in Pediatric Nutrition)
- CSRD (Certified Specialist in Renal Nutrition)
- CSPH (Certified Specialist in Pediatric Hematology/Oncology)
Specialty certifications appear in CDR's credential verification tool alongside the base RD/RDN registration.
Verify dietetics program accreditation
CDR requires completion of an ACEND-accredited dietetics program and supervised practice (dietetic internship). Use VerifyED to confirm that a claimed nutrition or dietetics degree comes from a legitimate, accredited institution.
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