Successful completion of a Bachelor’s or Graduate Degree from an ACEND accredited dietetics program, completion of an accredited dietetic internship program, passage of the examination for registered dietitian nutritionist, and passage of the Texas Jurisprudence Exam qualifies one to apply to become a Texas Licensed Dietitian. Information on Texas State Licensure for Dietitians is available at the Texas Department of Licensing & Regulation for Dietitians website.
Information on state-by-state licensure may be found at the Commission of Dietetic Registration State Licensure webpage.
Certification and Licensure Required Notice
Notice to students pursuing programs that may lead to a professional license or certification required for employment:
The following programs may lead to a professional license or certification that is required for employment. Professional licensure/certification requirements vary from state to state, which may affect a student’s ability to apply for a professional license/certification upon the completion of the program. The U.S. Department of Education regulation, 34 CFR 668.43 (a) (5) (v), requires an institution to disclose whether the program will fulfill educational requirements for licensure or certification for each state. The administrative departments that offer the programs have made the following determination regarding their curriculum.
| Program | Meets | Does Not Meet | A determination has not been made |
|---|---|---|---|
| Didactic Program in Dietetics (DPD) | AL, AK, AZ, AR, CA, CO, CT, DE, FL, GA, HI, ID, IL, IN, IA, KS, KY, LA, ME, MD, MA, MI, MN, MS, MO, MT, NE, NV, NH, NJ, NM, NY, NC, ND, OH, OK, OR, PA, RI, SC, SD, TN, TX, UT, VT, VA, WA, WV, WI, WY, DC, PR | Not Applicable | VI, AS, CN, MI, GU, MH, FM, PW |
| Dietetic Internship Program Certificate Program | AL, AK, AZ, AR, CA, CO, CT, DE, FL, GA, HI, ID, IL, IN, IA, KS, KY, LA, ME, MD, MA, MI, MN, MS, MO, MT, NE, NV, NH, NJ, NM, NY, NC, ND, OH, OK, OR, PA, RI, SC, SD, TN, TX, UT, VT, VA, WA, WV, WI, WY, DC, PR | Not Applicable | VI, AS, CN, MI, GU, MH, FM, PW |
| Master’s in Clinical Nutrition | AL, AK, AZ, AR, CA, CO, CT, DE, FL, GA, HI, ID, IL, IN, IA, KS, KY, LA, ME, MD, MA, MI, MN, MS, MO, MT, NE, NV, NH, NJ, NM, NY, NC, ND, OH, OK, OR, PA, RI, SC, SD, TN, TX, UT, VT, VA, WA, WV, WI, WY, DC, PR | Not Applicable | VI, AS, CN, MI, GU, MH, FM, PW |
While state interpretations of statutes may vary, it is ACEND’s considered opinion that the program meets the educational requirements for dietetics licensure and certification in all states. However, completing an ACEND-accredited academic program alone does not qualify an individual for licensure or certification as a dietitian in any state. Individuals should review their state’s licensing statutes and regulations to understand the specific requirements, including supervised practice and examinations, needed to obtain a dietetics license. More information about state licensure and certification can be found at this link: State Licensure.