Arizona Dietitian License
No Dedicated State Licensing Board
Total Fee
Contact board
Processing Time
No state license required
Fingerprints
Not required
N/A
Temp License
Not available
N/A
What You'll Need
- Official Transcripts — Transcripts showing the conferral of a Master's degree from a USDE-accredited institution (or foreign equivalent).
- ACEND Verification Statement — A signed document from your program director verifying completion of an accredited dietetics program.
- CDR Eligibility Application — Electronic application submitted by the program director to the CDR.
- Government-Issued Photo ID — Required for identity verification at the Pearson VUE testing center on the day of the exam.
How to Apply
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Complete ACEND-Accredited Education ▾Earn a Master's degree (required as of January 1, 2024) and complete the required didactic coursework from a program accredited by the Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics (ACEND).
Find Accredited Programs -
Complete Supervised Practice ▾Complete an ACEND-accredited supervised practice program (Dietetic Internship), which must include at least 1,000 hours of supervised practice.
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Obtain Verification Statement ▾Secure a signed Verification Statement from your ACEND program director confirming that all educational and supervised practice requirements have been met.
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Establish CDR Eligibility ▾Your program director will submit your eligibility information directly to the Commission on Dietetic Registration (CDR) database.
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Receive Authorization to Test ▾Once CDR processes your eligibility, you will receive an 'Authorization to Test' email from Pearson VUE with instructions on how to schedule your exam.
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Schedule and Pass the RD Exam ▾Register with Pearson VUE, pay the examination fee ($200), and pass the Registration Examination for Dietitians.
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Pay Registration Maintenance Fee ▾After passing the exam, you will receive an invoice from CDR for the initial registration maintenance fee. Once paid, you are officially a Registered Dietitian (RD/RDN).
Total Fee
Contact board
Processing Time
No state license required
Fingerprints
Not required
Temp License
Not available
Transfer License
Requirements ▾
Arizona has no state licensing requirements to transfer. Your national CDR credential (RD/RDN) is recognized directly. No state endorsement process exists.
Steps
-
Reciprocity via CDR ▾Arizona does not have a state licensing board. If you are an RD/RDN in another state, your national CDR credential is valid for practice in Arizona without further state-level application.
Total Fee
$0
Renewal Cycle
No state renewal. CDR registration renews every 5 years with 75 CPE hours.
Compact
No
Board
No Dedicated State Licensing Board
Keeping Your License Active
Arizona Dietitian licenses renew No state renewal. CDR registration renews every 5 years with 75 CPE hours.. Contact the No Dedicated State Licensing Board for continuing education requirements and renewal deadlines.
Renew on the board siteFees
| Item | Amount |
|---|---|
| Temporary permit | N/A |
Slow Downs
Degree Conferral Delays
▾
Eligibility cannot be processed until the university officially confers the degree on the transcript, which can take several weeks after graduation.
Program Director Submission
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Delays often occur if the program director does not promptly upload the verification statement to the CDR system.
Testing Center Availability
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Pearson VUE centers in Arizona (Phoenix, Tucson, Tempe) may have limited availability during peak months (June and January).
Exam Retake Wait Period
▾
If a candidate fails the exam, they must wait 45 days before they are eligible to retest.
Questions
Does Arizona require a state license for dietitians?
▾
No. Arizona does not currently have a mandatory state licensing board for dietitians. Practice is governed by national certification through the Commission on Dietetic Registration (CDR).
Can I use the title 'Dietitian' in Arizona without being an RD?
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Arizona law (ARS 36-416) provides title protection. Only individuals credentialed by the CDR may use the titles 'Registered Dietitian' or 'Registered Dietitian Nutritionist'.
Is a Master's degree required to become a dietitian in Arizona?
▾
Yes. As of January 1, 2024, the CDR requires a minimum of a Master's degree to be eligible to sit for the Registration Examination for Dietitians.
How do I renew my credentials in Arizona?
▾
Since there is no state license, you only need to maintain your national RD/RDN status by paying the annual CDR maintenance fee and completing 75 continuing education units every five years.