Verified October 9, 2026 against the practice act, board rules and sources cited below. The board decides every application. All states
What dietitians miss in District of Columbia
- DC Health now requires a new criminal background check with every application.
- A professional licensed in a state bordering DC may treat DC patients without a DC license only by registering with the board, keeping no DC office, and only if the home state returns the favor.
- DC's definition of nutrition practice expressly includes telehealth and recommendations on dietary supplements.
Does District of Columbia license dietitians?
A DC license is required to practice dietetics, and a separate license is required to practice nutrition. Current CDR registration satisfies the education, experience and national exam requirements for the dietitian license.
- License
- Licensed Dietitian
- Practice is restricted to credential holders
Citation: D.C. Code § 3-1201.01 et seq.; 17 DCMR ch. 44
Is District of Columbia in the Dietitian Compact?
District of Columbia is not a Dietitian Compact member.
- Not a compact member
Can a dietitian licensed elsewhere get a District of Columbia credential by endorsement?
The board issues licenses by reciprocity or endorsement to applicants licensed in good standing elsewhere under substantially equivalent standards. A temporary license is also available to applicants licensed in another jurisdiction.
- Endorsement or registration-based route
- CDR registration not required
Citation: D.C. Code §§ 3-1205.07, 3-1205.08a
Does District of Columbia have a jurisprudence exam?
Current RD registration meets the national exam requirement. Whether DC adds a law exam was not confirmed.
Telehealth dietitians and District of Columbia
Telehealth to a client in DC needs a DC license, except within an existing relationship when the client is temporarily in DC, or is a DC resident and the care runs no more than 120 days.
Does District of Columbia credential non-RD nutritionists?
DC licenses the practice of nutrition separately from dietetics. Dietetics covers the full nutrition scope plus therapeutic diets by enteral and parenteral routes and advanced clinical care.
- Nutritionist credential
How often does a District of Columbia dietitian credential renew?
DC Health is moving every license to expire on the last day of the holder's birth month, with renewals in odd or even years matching the birth year. Continuing education includes two hours of LGBTQ cultural competency and public health priority topics.
- Renews every 2 years
Licensing in District of Columbia?
For a license, we prepare every supporting document and a question-by-question guide, request your verifications, and track it to a decision; you complete, sign and submit the application. License by endorsement is $599 per state.