Washington's Certified Dietitian Credential

Washington regulates dietitians through certification. Chapter 18.138 RCW says, "No persons shall represent themselves as certified dietitians or certified nutritionists unless certified as provided for in this chapter," and lists the titles and letters it covers: "Certified dietitian," "certified dietician," "certified nutritionist," "D.," "C.D.," or "C.N." (RCW 18.138.020). The Department of Health issues the certificate, and the Uniform Disciplinary Act, chapter 18.130 RCW, governs discipline and unauthorized practice (RCW 18.138.090).

The certificate protects the titles. The statute's prohibition is on representing yourself as certified, not on practicing dietetics.

What does an RDN need for Washington certification?

For an RDN, very little beyond the application. The Department's rule for dietitian applicants requires a completed application, the fee, and "verification of current RDN registration," or, for others, transcripts sent directly from the school, proof of supervised preprofessional experience or a coordinated program, and passing CDR exam results sent directly from CDR (WAC 246-822-132). The statute adds that the application sets out information "under affidavit" (RCW 18.138.030(1)).

The statutory qualifications for the certified dietitian title are age 18 or older, a bachelor's or higher in human nutrition, foods and nutrition, dietetics or food systems management, at least 900 hours of planned preprofessional experience or a coordinated program, an exam the Department recognizes, and the continuing education the Department establishes (RCW 18.138.030(2)). The Department's examination rule names the CDR registered dietitian exam (WAC 246-822-150).

How does certification by endorsement work?

The Department's endorsement rule, in effect since October 20, 2025, offers two routes (WAC 246-822-133):

1. Another state's credential. You are currently credentialed in another U.S. jurisdiction with substantially equivalent standards, have been credentialed for the two years immediately before applying "with no interruption in credentialing lasting longer than 90 days," and meet the conditions of RCW 18.130.077(3).
2. CDR registration. You hold national certification with CDR as an RD or RDN and meet the conditions of RCW 18.130.077(3).

The CDR route is simpler for most RDNs because it does not depend on comparing another state's standards with Washington's. The statute also lets the Department certify without examination someone licensed or certified as a dietitian in another jurisdiction with equivalent or greater requirements (RCW 18.138.050). See license by endorsement for how other states handle the same choice.

What does it cost, and when does it renew?

The fees are set in WAC 246-822-990, and all are nonrefundable:

• original application, $65, plus a $16 HEAL-WA surcharge;
• renewal, $45, plus the $16 surcharge;
• late renewal penalty, $45;
• expired certificate reissuance, $50;
• duplicate certificate, $30; and
• verification of certificate, $30.

A certification "must be renewed every year on the practitioner's birthday." That annual cycle is easy to miss if your other states renew every two years. Our post on keeping several renewals on one calendar can help.

How does Washington treat telehealth?

The Department's rule says a certified dietitian or nutritionist "may provide services in person or through telehealth, to residents of Washington, as appropriate, based on the needs of the client" (WAC 246-822-175). Washington's telehealth statute lets an out-of-state practitioner provide telehealth to a patient in Washington if they hold the Washington license or certification "required to provide health care in this state," are otherwise authorized, including through a multistate compact Washington belongs to, or fit narrow exceptions such as a consultation with the patient's treating practitioner or follow-up with an established patient who is temporarily in the state (RCW 18.134.050).

Because Washington's certificate protects titles rather than practice, the practical questions for an out-of-state RDN are whether you use a protected title with Washington clients, and whether your employer, platform or payer requires the certificate. Medicare's medical nutrition therapy rule looks to licensure or certification "by the State in which the services are performed" where a state provides one (42 CFR 410.134), and Washington provides certification. See Medicare MNT and dietitian licensure.

Does Washington's compact membership matter yet?

Washington enacted the Dietitian Licensure Compact in 2026. Membership has no practical effect yet: no state issues compact privileges today, and CDR expects the first ones sometime in 2027. See your home state and the Dietitian Compact.

How can we help with Washington certification?

Most RDNs use our License by Endorsement (RDN) service, $599 per state: we prepare the Department's application for your review, document your CDR registration, and track the file. Annual Renewal & CE Compliance, $299 per license, per year, puts the birthday renewal on the same calendar as your other states. You sign the affidavit, pay the Department and submit. Department fees are separate. The Washington state page has the summary.