Steps to becoming a Registered Dietitian/Registered Dietitian Nutritionist

1. Complete a minimum of a Baccalaureate degree granted by a U.S. regionally accredited university or college and course work accredited or approved by the Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics (ACEND). To be accepted into a Dietetic Internship, students must:
• Complete an application (see internship for specific requirements)
• Register for Computer Matching
2. Complete an ACEND-accredited supervised practice program, such as the Auburn University Dietetic Internship. Supervised practice also may be available through a Coordinated Program, Future Education Model Program or an Individualized Supervised Practice Pathway.
3. Complete a minimum of a master’s degree. Beginning January 1, 2024, a Master’s degree will be required by all prospective candidates in order to sit for the registration examination for registered dietitians.
4. Pass the Registration Examination for Dietitians administered by the Commission on Dietetic Registration (CDR) www.cdrnet.org
5. Obtain state licensure. In addition to RD credentialing, many states have regulatory laws for dietitians and nutrition practitioners. Frequently these state requirements are met through the same education and training required to become an RD. In the state of Alabama, you must be licensed to practice.
• Alabama State Board of Examiners for Dietetics/Nutritionists is the state regulatory agency governing licensure for dietitians. The Alabama Dietetics/Nutrition Practice Act of 1989 provides for licensing qualifications, renewals and revocation, exemptions, reciprocity, and penalties. It is the purpose of this Act to protect the health, safety and welfare of the public by providing for the licensing and regulation of persons engaged in the practice of dietetics and nutrition. Additional information can be found at boed.alabama.gov/
• Continue life-long learning by completing continuing professional educational requirements to maintain registration.

Auburn University Dietetic Internship Graduation Requirements

As a Dietetic Internship (see Step 2 above), Auburn University requires students admitted into the Dietetic Internship to successfully complete the following requirements to receive a verification statement.

Degree-requiring Students
Students requiring a graduate degree to become eligible for the registration exam (Step 3) must

1. Provide evidence of completion of a baccalaureate degree and a verification statement from a DPD program.
2. Successfully complete a graduate degree aligned with the Dietetic Internship (see below). Please note: Any deviation from this plan may result in a delay in graduation and can result in being dismissed from the Dietetic Internship, resulting in being eligible to sit for the Registration Examination for Registered Dietitian Nutritionists (RDN exam).
3. Enroll in and pass 9 hours of NTRI 7010 Advanced Practicum in Dietetics.
4. Participate in and receive satisfactory evaluations in at least 1000 hours of supervised practice.

Verification Statement Only Students
Students who already have a graduate degree must

1. Provide evidence of completion of at least a master’s degree and a verification statement from a DPD program.
2. Enroll in and pass 9 hours of NTRI 7010 Advanced Practicum in Dietetics.
3. Participate in and receive satisfactory evaluations in at least 1000 hours of supervised practice.