{"application_form_url":null,"application_portal_url":null,"board_contact_url":null,"board_email":"mailto:bhp@dhp.virginia.gov","board_fax":"(804) 527-4475","board_mailing_address":"9960 Mayland Drive, Suite 300<br>Henrico, VA 23233-1463","board_name":"Board of Health Professions (Title Protection)","board_parent_org":"Virginia Department of Health Professions (DHP)","board_phone":"(804) 367-4400","board_physical_address":"9960 Mayland Drive, Suite 300<br>Henrico, VA 23233-1463","board_source_url":"https://www.dhp.virginia.gov/bhp/","board_url":"https://www.dhp.virginia.gov/bhp/","canonical_url":"https://statelicensingreference.com/virginia-dietitian","ce_requirements_url":null,"common_delays":[{"description":"Delays in universities sending official transcripts to the CDR can stall exam eligibility.","title":"Transcript Processing"},{"description":"The competitive nature of the Dietetic Internship Match can delay the start of supervised practice.","title":"Internship Placement"},{"description":"Waiting for the CDR to process the verification statement and authorize the candidate to test via Pearson VUE.","title":"Exam Authorization"}],"compact_member":false,"compact_name":"N/A","compact_privilege_fee":"N/A","created_at":"2026-04-09T17:05:35.316782+00:00","credential_type":"Certified Dietitian/Nutritionist (Title Protection Only)","description":"Virginia does not require a state-specific dietitian license. Title protection is managed through DHP qualifications. CDR registration is the primary credential.","endorsement_application_url":null,"endorsement_fees":{"app_fee":"$200","background_check_fee":"$0 (included in application)","jurisprudence_exam_fee":"$0","total_estimated_cost":"$0 (No State License Fee)"},"endorsement_steps":[{"description":"Virginia does not have a reciprocity or endorsement application process because it does not license dietitians. If you hold a valid license from another state or an active national credential (RDN/CNS), you may legally use the title in Virginia immediately.","title":"Automatic Recognition","url":null,"url_label":null}],"exam_registration_url":null,"faqs":[{"answer":"No. Virginia is a 'Title Protection' state. It does not issue state licenses or certifications. You are legally allowed to practice and use the title if you hold a recognized national credential.","question":"Does Virginia require a state license for dietitians?"},{"answer":"The titles 'Dietitian' and 'Nutritionist' (including 'Registered,' 'Certified,' or 'Licensed' variations) are protected. Only individuals meeting the criteria in \u00a7 54.1-2731 may use them.","question":"What titles are protected in Virginia?"},{"answer":"Since there is no state license, you do not renew with the state. You must maintain your national registration with the CDR or BCNS by completing their specific continuing education requirements.","question":"How do I renew my 'license' in Virginia?"},{"answer":"No, there are no state application or registration fees. You only pay fees associated with your national credentialing body (CDR or BCNS).","question":"Is there a state fee to practice as a dietitian in Virginia?"},{"answer":"Yes, but you cannot call yourself a 'Dietitian' or 'Nutritionist' unless you hold the specific credentials (RDN, CNS, or ACBN) or meet the narrow educational exemptions for government employees.","question":"Can I practice nutrition in Virginia without being an RDN?"}],"fee_payment_url":null,"fingerprint_delay_weeks":"N/A","fingerprint_fee":"N/A","fingerprint_method_in_state":"N/A","fingerprint_method_out_of_state":"N/A","fingerprint_required":false,"fingerprint_url":null,"fingerprint_vendor":"N/A","fingerprint_vendor_url":"N/A","initial_fee_amount":0.0,"initial_fee_breakdown":"No state application fee. CDR exam fee is $200 nationally.","last_updated":"2026-02-25","last_verified":"2026-02-25","license_duration":"N/A","licensing_pathway":"endorsement","payload_url":"https://statelicensingreference.com/api/virginia-dietitian.json","processing_time":"No state license required","profession":"Dietitian","provisional_info":"Because Virginia does not issue a state license, there is no provisional or temporary state credential.","reciprocity_info":"Virginia has no state license to transfer. Title protection eligibility is demonstrated by holding a valid CDR credential, or a current dietitian/nutritionist license or certificate from another state.","renewal_cycle":"No state renewal. CDR registration renews every 5 years with 75 CPE hours.","renewal_fee_amount":0.0,"renewal_portal_url":"https://www.cdrnet.org/","required_documents":[{"description":"Official document from your program director confirming completion of accredited education and supervised practice.","name":"ACEND Verification Statement","url":null,"url_label":null},{"description":"Required by the CDR to verify degree conferral and prerequisite coursework.","name":"Official Academic Transcripts","url":null,"url_label":null},{"description":"Your proof of active national registration, which serves as your legal qualification to use protected titles in Virginia.","name":"CDR Registration Card","url":null,"url_label":null}],"slug":"virginia-dietitian","state_name":"Virginia","state_slug":"virginia","statutes_url":"https://law.lis.virginia.gov/vacode/title54.1/chapter27.1/section54.1-2731/","steps":[{"description":"Earn a bachelor's or master's degree from a program accredited by the Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics (ACEND). Note: As of January 1, 2024, a master's degree is required to sit for the RDN exam.","title":"Complete Accredited Education","url":"https://www.eatrightpro.org/acend/accredited-programs/about-accredited-programs","url_label":"Find Accredited Programs"},{"description":"Complete an ACEND-accredited supervised practice program (Dietetic Internship) consisting of at least 1,000 to 1,200 hours of clinical experience.","title":"Complete Supervised Practice","url":null,"url_label":null},{"description":"Apply for and pass the Registration Examination for Dietitians administered by the Commission on Dietetic Registration (CDR).","title":"Pass the National Registration Examination","url":null,"url_label":null},{"description":"Upon passing the exam, you will receive your Registered Dietitian (RD) or Registered Dietitian Nutritionist (RDN) credential. Alternatively, obtain the Certified Nutrition Specialist (CNS) credential from the BCNS.","title":"Obtain National Credential","url":"https://www.cdrnet.org/","url_label":"CDR Homepage"},{"description":"Virginia does not issue a state license. Under Virginia Code \u00a7 54.1-2731, you are legally authorized to use the title 'Dietitian' or 'Nutritionist' once you hold an active national credential (RDN, CNS, or ACBN).","title":"Verify Title Protection Compliance","url":"https://law.lis.virginia.gov/vacode/title54.1/chapter27.1/section54.1-2731/","url_label":"View Virginia Statute"}],"temp_license_available":false,"temp_license_duration":"N/A","temp_license_fee":"N/A","temp_license_processing_time":"N/A","updated_at":"2026-04-26T08:41:36.588007+00:00","verify_license_url":null}