Following are the steps to become a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist:
- Complete a bachelor’s degree and receive a verification statement from an ACEND-accredited program (Didactic Program in Dietetics, Coordinated Program, Future Graduate Program, Foreign or International Dietitian Education Program).
- Complete an ACEND-accredited supervised practice program and receive a verification statement. Application to a supervised practice program requires registering to a computer matching system to match applicants to a position in a Program. Students are responsible to register with the D&D Digital company (D&D Digital company’s Webpage) and pay a single matching fee for any number of prioritized/ranked Internships for matching. For more information visit Computer Matching Applicant Responsibilities – ACEND.
- Complete a Master’s degree (Effective January 1, 2024).
- Pass the Commission on Dietetic Registration’s (CDR’s Webpage) dietetic registration exam.
- Gain licensure in your state of practice, if applicable. For Puerto Rico, Licensed Nutritionist Dietitian (LND) credential.
- Maintain continuing education.
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Graduates must apply to a Dietetic Internship (DI) Program after graduation from the UPR-DPD in order to continue their path to become an entry-level Registered Dietitian. To apply, DI Programs use a computer matching system to match applicants to a position in a Program. Students are responsible to register with the D&D Digital company (D&D Digital company’s Webpage) and pay a single matching fee for any number of prioritized/ranked Internships for matching. Each DI Program of interest must receive each student’s application and must have his or her D&D Digital prioritized (ranked) list of Internships by deadline dates.
A more detailed explanation along with a most frequently asked question sheet can be found at the following webpage:
Individualized Supervised Practice Pathways (ISPP) are an alternative to the more traditional Dietetic Internships that allow students more flexibility, and may require the student to locate the supervised practice preceptors. Each program is different, so frequenting the following webpage for opportunities and specific program requirements is recommended.
For more information visit ACEND Individualized Supervised Practice Pathways
Effective February 18, 2016, Resolution 2016-53 of the Board of Examiners for Nutritionists and Dietitians of Puerto Rico (JENDPR, for its abbreviation in Spanish), passing the RD exam will comply with the requirements for the license to practice Nutrition and Dietetics in Puerto Rico, thereby eliminating the need for our graduates to take a second exam for PR licensure.
The Commission of Dietetic Registration that administers the RD exam made a change in the eligibility process to be able to take the RD exam. This change will take effect on January 1, 2024 requiring a Master’s degree after the Dietetic Internship in order to be eligible to take the RD exam. Therefore, students that graduate from this date forward, must complete a Master’s degree in order to be eligible to sit for the Registered Dietitian Exam offered by the CDR.
“Effective January 1, 2024, the Commission on Dietetic Registration (CDR) will require a minimum of a master’s degree to be eligible to take the credentialing exam to become a registered dietitian nutritionist (RDN). In addition, CDR requires that individuals complete coursework and supervised practice in program(s) accredited by the Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics (ACEND). In most states, graduates also must obtain licensure or certification to practice. Graduates who successfully complete the ACEND-accredited Didactic Program in Dietetics program at the University of Puerto Rico are eligible to apply to an ACEND-accredited supervised practice program.
For more information about educational pathways to become a RDN please click here.”