Licensing Path
Virginia does not currently require a separate state license for this path. Keep your national credential active and verify employer onboarding requirements.
Virginia has no state license to transfer. Title protection eligibility is demonstrated by holding a valid CDR credential, or a current dietitian/nutritionist license or certificate from another state.
- Endorsement fee
- $0
- Processing time
- No state application
- Fingerprinting
- Not clearly required
- Temporary license
- Not needed
- Compact
- No active compact path
- Board
- Board of Health Professions (Title Protection)
From the board
Readiness Steps
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Step 1
Complete Education & Supervised Practice
Earn a master's degree from an ACEND-accredited program. Complete 1,200 hours of supervised practice through a CDR-approved dietetic internship.
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Step 2
Pass the CDR Examination
Successfully pass the CDR Registration Examination for Dietitians and obtain active RD/RDN status.
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Step 3
Use the Protected Title
With active CDR registration, you are qualified to use the legally protected titles 'dietitian' or 'nutritionist' in Virginia. No separate state application is needed.
Quick Facts
- Total fee
- $0 (No State License Fee)
- Processing time
- N/A (No state application)
- Renewal fee
- $0 (No State Renewal)
- Renewal cycle
- No state renewal. CDR registration renews every 5 years with 75 CPE hours.
- Application
- $200
- Background check
- $0 (included in application)
- Jurisprudence exam
- $0
- Total estimated cost
- $0 (No State License Fee)
License Types
Title Protection — Dietitian / Nutritionist: Virginia does not mandate state licensure for dietitians. However, the DHP Board of Health Professions establishes minimum qualifications for using the protected titles 'dietitian' or 'nutritionist'. Meeting CDR registration standards or equivalent qualifications allows use of the title.
Required Documents
- CDR Registration Card: Your active CDR card serves as the primary credential in Virginia.
- ACEND Verification Statement: Proof of your accredited degree program and supervised practice completion.
Board Contact
- Board
- Board of Health Professions (Title Protection)
- Department
- Virginia Department of Health Professions (DHP)
- Phone
- (804) 367-4400
- bhp@dhp.virginia.gov
- Board site
- https://www.dhp.virginia.gov/bhp/
- Compact source
- https://dietitianscompact.org/
Source: Primary board website
Renewal
Renewal fee is $0 (No State Renewal). Renewal cycle: No state renewal. CDR registration renews every 5 years with 75 CPE hours..
Virginia Dietitian Licensing FAQ
Does Virginia require a state dietitian license?
No. Virginia operates under a title-protection model. To use the title 'dietitian' or 'nutritionist', you must meet the qualifications set by the DHP Board of Health Professions, most commonly by holding active CDR registration.
What does it cost to practice as a dietitian in Virginia?
There is no state fee. The CDR national exam costs $200, and the CDR annual maintenance fee is $80 (increasing to $90 in 2027).
Is Virginia moving towards formal state licensure?
House Bill 576 was introduced in 2026 to enable Virginia to join the Dietitian Licensure Compact, but the bill was left in committee as of February 2026. Virginia does not currently have an active licensure pathway.
Does Virginia have reciprocity for dietitians?
Virginia is currently a CDR State. There is no separate state endorsement transfer pathway right now; maintain an active CDR credential to practice.
How long does it take to transfer my dietitian license to Virginia?
This is currently a CDR State, so there is no state transfer timeline. You can usually start once your CDR credential and employer onboarding are complete.
Can I start working in Virginia while my endorsement application is processing?
There is no active state endorsement application to wait on right now. Start dates are typically driven by employer credentialing and onboarding requirements.