How to Become a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist (RDN)

The Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics (AND) defines the educational and professional requirements for becoming an RDN (pdf) that our program, and all accredited programs, must adhere to. Our MS/RDN program has full candidacy accreditation status and meets all the requirements set forth for students seeking RD/RDN credentialing. For your reference, our graduate program is a Future Graduate program as referred to in the details below:

• Complete a minimum of a bachelor’s degree at a U.S. regionally accredited university, college or foreign equivalent, and coursework through accredited Didactic (DPD), Coordinated (CP), Future Graduate (FG) or Foreign (FDE) or International Dietitian Education (IDE) program.
• Complete required supervised practice experience through ACEND® accredited DI, CP, FG or IDE program or an Individualized Supervised Practice Pathway (ISPP) offered through an ACEND® accredited program.
• Pass the national Registration Examination for Dietitians administered by the Commission on Dietetic Registration (CDR). Passing this exam confers the RDN credential. Refer to CDR’s website for more information. To maintain one’s RDN credential, an RDN must complete continuing education requirements over time.

Become licensed/certified if required in your state. The Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics provides a U.S. Map showing licensure statutes and information by state. UW-Green Bay’s RDN/MS program resides in Wisconsin, where Licensure of Title Only or Certification of RDNs (license is required to use the title).

Please visit the ACEND® website for further details about routes to RDN registration eligibility.