Maryland Dietitian Licensing

Maryland is a practice state. Its Health Occupations Article says an individual "shall be licensed by the Board before the individual may practice dietetics in the State" (Md. Code, Health Occ. 5-301(a)). The license is issued by the State Board of Dietetic Practice, and the licensee is a licensed dietitian-nutritionist.

The Board has applied the rule to telehealth in its own regulation: "a telehealth practitioner shall be licensed in Maryland when providing telehealth services to a patient located in the State" (COMAR 10.56.10.03, effective September 18, 2023). An RDN outside Maryland who provides dietetics to Maryland patients by video needs a Maryland license.

Who is exempt from Maryland's license requirement?

Section 5-301(b) lists three groups who may practice dietetics without a license:

1. a student or trainee working under the supervision of a licensed dietitian-nutritionist while meeting an experience requirement or completing a course of study, for a limited period the Board sets;
2. an individual employed by the federal government to practice dietetics, within the scope of that employment; and
3. an individual who aids in the practice of dietetics under the supervision of a licensed dietitian-nutritionist or licensed physician.

There is no general exemption for dietitians licensed in other states.

What does Maryland require?

Under 5-302, an applicant must be of good moral character and at least 18, and must have:

• either a bachelor's degree with academic requirements approved by the Board, from a college accredited as CDR requires, or a master's or doctorate in nutritional sciences, food and nutrition, dietetics, human nutrition, community or public health nutrition or equivalent training;
• a Board-approved program of supervised clinical experience; and
• proof of either CDR registration as a dietitian or certification by the Board for Certification of Nutrition Specialists.

That dual path means Maryland licenses both RDNs and CNSs under the same dietitian-nutritionist title. Applicants who are or have been licensed in another state or country must also submit proof of good standing there, or of eligibility for good standing (5-303(b)).

The Board's rule makes it simpler for RDNs: an applicant submits the application, the application fee, and evidence that the applicant "is a registered dietitian," or otherwise meets the academic, experience and exam regulations (COMAR 10.56.01.03).

Can the exam be waived?

Yes. Section 5-305 lets the Board waive the examination for an individual who is licensed to practice dietetics in another state or country, registered as a dietitian by CDR, or certified by the Board for Certification of Nutrition Specialists, as long as the applicant pays the application fee, meets the other qualifications, and earned that credential after passing a comparable exam or meeting the credentialing body's waiver requirements. Applicants who do need to take an exam must send the application at least 90 days before the exam date (COMAR 10.56.01.03(D)).

Why does Maryland charge twice?

Because licensing is a two-step process. You pay an application fee with the application. Once the Board finds you qualified, it sends a notice saying you have qualified and that it will issue the license "on receipt of the license fee" (5-306). The Board's fee regulation lists (COMAR 10.56.02.02):

• application fee, $75;
• license fee, $225;
• license renewal fee, due on or before October 31 of the renewal year, $250;
• license verification, $50;
• reinstatement fee after October 31 of the renewal year, $300, in addition to the renewal fee;
• inactive status, $75, and reactivation, $150.

Confirm the current amounts with the Board before you pay.

What can slow a Maryland application?

The 30-day completeness window. The Board does not consider an application complete until it has every required document, and "if the application is not complete with all required materials within 30 days after the Board receives the signed application form," the Board notifies the applicant of what is missing and "may deny the application" (COMAR 10.56.01.03(E)-(F)). Have verifications from other states requested before you sign.

How does renewal work?

A license may not be renewed for a term longer than two years (5-308). The Board sends a renewal notice at least a month before expiration. To renew, a licensee submits the application, pays the fee and shows "a minimum of 30 continuing education units" completed in the two years before the renewal date, from sponsors the rule lists, including CDR and its approved providers, the CBNS, accredited colleges and accredited hospitals (COMAR 10.56.05.03).

If you let the license lapse, the Board will reinstate it only if you apply within five years of expiration, meet the CE requirements and pay the reinstatement fee. After five years you start over as a new applicant (5-309).

Two smaller duties: a licensee must produce a valid license when an existing or potential employer or client asks, and must tell the Board about a change of address within 30 days (5-310). The Board's fee list includes a $50 late fee for missing that 30-day notice.

Is Maryland in the Dietitian Compact?

No. Maryland has not enacted the compact, so Maryland residents cannot use it and out-of-state RDNs cannot use it to practice in Maryland. No state issues compact privileges yet in any case. See the where-the-client-is rule for telehealth RDNs.

How can we help with a Maryland license?

Our License by Endorsement (RDN) service, $599 per state, prepares the Maryland application for your review, orders good-standing verifications before you sign so the 30-day window is not a risk, and tracks the file through the Board's qualification notice and license fee. For a CNS or another non-RD route, the Full State License Application is $749. You sign, pay the Board and submit. Board fees are separate. The Maryland state page has the summary.