How to become a registered dietitian

Step one

Complete pre-dietetics option.

Complete the pre-dietetics option required courses. Post-bac and transfer students can typically complete this option in one year. 

All NUTR prerequisites are available through Oregon State Ecampus, and other prerequisite courses can readily be found, with some attention to articulation, at other institutions. This allows you to complete the pre-dietetics option outside of Corvallis, Oregon.

Each spring, pre-dietetics students can apply to step 2, the accredited Didactic Program in Dietetics (DPD) or Dietetics option.  To be officially admitted to the Dietetics option, students must have completed: 

• A minimum of 12 credits at OSU
• For the pre-dietetics coursework:
  • Minimum grade of B- in each of the NUTR courses
  • Minimum grade of C- in the other courses
  • GPA of 2.7 or higher

Step two

Complete the Dietetics option (accredited Didactic Program in Dietetics).

Oregon State offers several degree options in which to earn a Bachelor of Science degree in nutrition.

Only the B.S. in Nutrition – Dietetics Option prepares students to become Registered Dietitian Nutritionists through a nationally accredited curriculum designed to prepare students for competitive application to supervised practice, also known as dietetic internships.

The Dietetics option is accredited as a Didactic Program in Dietetics (DPD) by the Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics.

The Oregon State B.S. in Nutrition – Dietetics Option is a challenging science-based curriculum.

The coursework for the dietetics option is two academic years only available on the Corvallis campus.

The dietetics option typically takes 2 years for transfer and post-bac students, unless they have completed courses that will transfer in to meet organic chemistry and anatomy and physiology requirements. 

The courses are sequenced and students move through the curriculum in a cohort model, allowing for strong peer support.

The dietetics curriculum also provides 2 credits of professional development that includes faculty mentoring on dietetic internship/graduate school applications, resumes, personal statements, interviews, and more.

Step three

Complete graduate school and an accredited supervised practice program.

Effective January 1, 2024 all candidates will be required to have a minimum of a master's degree.

Many programs offer a combined program that includes completion of a graduate degree and 1000 hours of supervised practice to meet this requirement, such as the OSU MS-PD. However, students can also meet these requirements separately – by completing a stand-alone master’s program and then an accredited dietetic internship.

Our DPD program prepares students to apply for graduate school and supervised practice programs (such as dietetic internships), with coursework that includes career exploration and application preparation.

Students typically apply for graduate and supervised practice programs during fall or winter of their last year in the Dietetics option.

The DPD Director provides individualized guidance and application support to ensure Dietetics students are successful at getting accepted into a program that fits their needs.

Step Four

Pass the Registration Examination for Dietitians.

After successfully completing current eligibility requirements and being validated by CDR, individuals are eligible to take the registration examination for dietitians.

Step Five

Gain licensure in your state of practice, if applicable.

Some, but not all, dietitian jobs require state licensure, which typically only consists of an additional application and fee.

Forty-seven states, Puerto Rico, and the District of Columbia currently have statutory provisions regulating the dietetics profession or associated titles such as dietitian and nutritionist.

Information on state licensure and certification is provided as a service to dietetics professionals and state licensure boards.