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Exam Overview
The Registration Examination for Dietitians measures whether a candidate can perform at the level of an entry-level registered dietitian nutritionist. It is developed and administered by the Commission on Dietetic Registration (CDR), the credentialing agency of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, and it is delivered year-round by appointment at Pearson VUE professional testing centers. Passing the exam is the final step to the RD/RDN credential, which many states also require for licensure or certification to practice.
Exam Format at a Glance
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Credentialing body | Commission on Dietetic Registration (CDR), credentialing agency of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics |
| Delivery | Computer adaptive test (CAT) at Pearson VUE professional test centers, year-round by appointment |
| Number of questions | 125 minimum, 145 maximum: 100–120 scored items plus 25 unscored pretest items |
| Testing time | 3 hours of testing; the total appointment is about 3.5 hours, including the tutorial and post-exam survey |
| Question type | Single-best-answer multiple choice with four options |
| Navigation | Each question must be answered before the next one appears; you cannot skip ahead or return to change an answer |
| Calculator | On-screen calculator built into the exam; a basic handheld calculator is available on request; personal calculators are prohibited |
| Scoring | Scaled score from 1 to 50; a scaled score of 25 or higher passes |
| Results | Scaled score and domain sub-scores are provided at the test center when you finish |
| Exam fee | $250 per attempt; CDR also offers a discounted two-attempt Test Bundle Voucher ($350) for first-time candidates |
| Retesting | Wait 45 calendar days after an unsuccessful attempt (the earliest retest is day 46), with a new fee |
How Adaptive Testing Works
Computer adaptive testing selects each item based on your performance on the items before it. A correct answer tends to be followed by a more difficult item, and an incorrect answer by a less difficult one. The exam ends when the computer can determine with statistical confidence that your ability is above or below the passing standard, after at least 125 items, or when you reach 145 items or the time limit.
Eligibility
CDR verifies eligibility before a candidate can schedule. The standard route requires:
- A graduate degree from a U.S. regionally accredited college or university, or a foreign degree evaluated as equivalent.
- Completion of an ACEND-accredited program pathway: a Didactic Program in Dietetics plus a Dietetic Internship, a Coordinated Program, a Graduate Program under the Future Education Model, or an Individualized Supervised Practice Pathway.
- A verification statement from the program director, submitted to CDR so the candidate can be authorized to test.
- Internationally educated dietitians may qualify through a CDR-recognized international route or reciprocity agreement.
Test Specifications
Every item maps to one of four domains. Nutrition Care for Individuals and Groups is the largest, and calculations appear in every domain: anthropometrics and energy needs, nutrition support regimens, budgets and break-even points, recipe yields and inventory.
| Domain | Weight | Subdomains |
|---|---|---|
| I. Principles of Dietetics | 21% | A. Food, nutrition and supporting sciences · B. Education, communication and technology · C. Research applications |
| II. Nutrition Care for Individuals and Groups | 45% | A. Screening and assessment · B. Diagnosis · C. Planning and intervention · D. Monitoring and evaluation |
| III. Management of Food and Nutrition Programs and Services | 21% | A. Functions of management · B. Human resource management · C. Financial management · D. Marketing and public relations · E. Quality management and regulatory compliance |
| IV. Foodservice Systems | 13% | A. Menu development · B. Procurement, production, distribution and service · C. Sanitation and safety · D. Equipment and facility planning |
New Test Specifications
CDR revises the test specifications periodically from a practice audit of entry-level dietitians. The next specifications reorganize the same body of knowledge into four new domains. Confirm on cdrnet.org which specifications apply on your test date. This guide covers the topics in both outlines; the table shows where to find each new domain's content.
| New Domain | Weight | Where It Is Covered in This Guide |
|---|---|---|
| Fundamentals of Dietetics Practice (management and leadership, marketing, research, professional practice) | 23% | Section 3 (all chapters); Section 1, Chapter 6 (research) |
| Community and Public Health Nutrition (guidelines, policies and programs; needs assessment; program planning, education and evaluation) | 22% | Section 2, Chapter 3; Section 1, Chapters 3 and 5 |
| Human Nutrition and Medical Nutrition Therapy (physiology, screening and assessment, diagnosis, MNT, monitoring) | 40% | Section 1, Chapters 1–2; Section 2, Chapters 1–9 |
| Food Science and Food Systems (food science, menu development, flow of food, sustainability) | 15% | Section 1, Chapter 4; Section 4 (all chapters) |
After You Pass
| Requirement | Details |
|---|---|
| Credential | RD or RDN (equivalent designations); the credential is maintained with CDR |
| State licensure | Most states license or certify dietitians; apply to your state board where required before practicing |
| Recertification | 75 continuing professional education units (CPEUs) every 5 years through the Professional Development Portfolio, including at least 1 CPEU in ethics |
| Annual maintenance | Pay the annual registration maintenance fee to keep the credential active |
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