Michigan and New Jersey have dietitian licensing statutes, but neither issues licenses because the regulations needed to start licensing are not in effect. New Jersey's board says it is drafting regulations and that licensure will be required after they are adopted. Michigan has no board or agency running a dietitian program.
Two states sit in an odd middle ground. Michigan and New Jersey have enacted laws for licensing dietitians, but neither state is issuing dietitian licenses. The Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics' March 2026 telehealth chart marks both with the same footnote: "Dietitian regulations not yet in effect such that licensure cannot be granted."
For a dietitian, that means no state credential is available in either state today, but the statutes are there and can start operating once regulations take effect.
What does New Jersey's law say?
New Jersey's dietitian and nutritionist licensing act is P.L.2019, c.331, codified at N.J.S.A. 45:16B. As quoted in the Academy's New Jersey summary, it sets up licensure for dietitian nutritionists with several routes:
- A CDR route. An applicant may qualify with "evidence of current, valid registration as a registered dietitian nutritionist with the Commission on Dietetic Registration," or by completing specified education, supervised practice and examination requirements (N.J.S.A. 45:16B-9).
- Out-of-state licensees. The board "shall license without examination a nutritionist or dietitian who is licensed, registered or certified by another state" with substantially equivalent standards.
- Temporary licenses. The act provides for a temporary license, under supervision, for an applicant the board finds eligible for examination (N.J.S.A. 45:16B-14).
Why can't you get a New Jersey license yet?
Because the regulations are not finished. The New Jersey Board of Dietetics and Nutrition's page, as captured in August 2026, carried this alert: licensure "is not available at this time. The Board of Dietetics and Nutrition is drafting regulations which will, among other things, outline the licensure process. Licensure will be required after the regulations are adopted. Updates regarding the regulations and licensure requirements will be posted to this website." The Academy's summary lists the regulations as "Currently Being Drafted." The board has been meeting; its page announced a public session for February 5, 2026.
The key sentence is "Licensure will be required after the regulations are adopted." A dietitian with New Jersey clients should expect to need a license once the board opens applications, and should watch the board's page for the adoption date and any grace period it sets.
Where does Michigan stand?
Michigan's dietitian provisions sit in its Public Health Code (Act 368 of 1978), according to the Academy's telehealth chart. The chart marks Michigan with the same footnote as New Jersey: regulations not in effect, so licensure cannot be granted. The Academy's Michigan summary lists no board or agency website and shows no licensure routes. The Dietitian Licensure Compact's FAQ includes Michigan among states that "would not be able to participate because they do not license or certify dietitians."
Can you practice in Michigan or New Jersey now?
As far as state dietitian licensing goes, there is no credential to get in either state today. CDR's guidance on serving clients in other states carves out states that do "not regulate the dietetics profession through licensure or certification." That position can change quickly in New Jersey once regulations take effect. Employers and payers may set their own rules in the meantime.
Medicare is a question to confirm rather than assume. Its MNT rule accepts CDR registration "in a State that does not provide for licensure or certification" (42 CFR 410.134(c)). Whether Medicare treats a state with a licensing statute but no working program that way is something to confirm with your Medicare contractor.
Do these states count toward the compact?
Not today. A compact member must "License and regulate the Practice of Dietetics" (Model Compact § 3.A). Neither state is a member or has active compact legislation on the Commission's map, and residents of either state cannot use the compact. No state issues compact privileges yet in any case; CDR expects the first ones sometime in 2027.
Which developments should you watch?
- New Jersey's board page for proposed and adopted regulations, application forms and any deadline for current practitioners.
- Any Michigan action to seat a board or adopt rules.
- Your employer's or platform's policy for clients in these states.
When New Jersey opens applications, we will prepare license packages for dietitians who need one and track them while you review, sign, pay the board and submit. In the meantime, see the New Jersey and Michigan pages, or read about the four other states that issue no credential in states without a dietitian license. A Readiness Review ($149) maps all of your client states at once.
Common questions
- Can I get a New Jersey dietitian license?
- Not yet. The New Jersey Board of Dietetics and Nutrition says licensure is not available while it drafts regulations, and that licensure will be required after they are adopted.
- Does Michigan license dietitians?
- Not in practice. Michigan has statutory provisions in its Public Health Code, but the Academy reports that regulations are not in effect, so licenses cannot be granted.
- Will New Jersey accept my license from another state?
- The act lets the board license without examination a dietitian or nutritionist licensed, registered or certified in another state with substantially equivalent standards, once licensing begins.
- Can Michigan or New Jersey residents use the Dietitian Compact?
- No. Neither state is a member, and a member state must license and regulate dietetics.
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