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 North Carolina
- All North Carolina licenses expire on March 31 each year, whatever the issue date.
- Applicants consent to a state and national criminal history check using fingerprints.
- The board reports out-of-state practitioners who serve North Carolina clients unlicensed to their home licensing boards.
Does North Carolina license dietitians?
North Carolina makes it unlawful for anyone without a license to provide medical nutrition therapy or use the dietitian, nutritionist, LD, LN or LDN titles. Current CDR registration qualifies an applicant for the LDN, as does completing the education, 1,000 supervised hours and the CDR exam.
- License
- Licensed Dietitian/Nutritionist (LDN); Licensed Nutritionist (LN)
- Practice is restricted to credential holders
Citation: N.C. Gen. Stat. 90-350 to 90-369; 21 NCAC 17
Is North Carolina in the Dietitian Compact?
North Carolina is not a Dietitian Compact member.
- Not a compact member
Can a dietitian licensed elsewhere get a North Carolina credential by endorsement?
The board may license without examination someone who passed a recognized exam and holds a valid dietitian or nutritionist license or certification from another jurisdiction with substantially the same requirements. Applicants attach proof the license is in good standing.
- Endorsement or registration-based route
- CDR registration not required
Citation: N.C. Gen. Stat. 90-360; 21 NCAC 17 .0106
Does North Carolina have a jurisprudence exam?
Recognized exams are the CDR registration exam, the CNS exam and the DACBN exam. No state jurisprudence exam was confirmed.
Does North Carolina require fingerprints?
- Fingerprint background check
Telehealth dietitians and North Carolina
No telehealth registration exists. Board rule treats anyone, in state or not, who provides medical nutrition therapy electronically to a client located in North Carolina without a license as practicing without one.
Does North Carolina offer a provisional permit for new graduates?
A provisional license lasts up to 12 months for a graduate who finished education and supervised practice and applied for the exam. Holders practice under a North Carolina licensee and use the PLDN or PLN credential.
- Provisional permit available
Does North Carolina credential non-RD nutritionists?
The licensed nutritionist (LN) route accepts the Certified Nutrition Specialist or the Diplomate of the American Clinical Board of Nutrition credential and exam, so CNS holders can be licensed.
- Nutritionist credential
How often does a North Carolina dietitian credential renew?
Every license expires March 31 and renews annually. RDNs meet the CE rule by verifying current CDR registration and CDR CE compliance; others show 75 hours per five years or a current CNS or DACBN certification. A 60-day late window applies.
- Renews every year
Licensing in North Carolina?
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.
Sources
- compact (North Carolina not listed)
- compact ("No Active Legislation")
- board (90-352), credential (90-357.5, 90-365), cdrRequired, nutritionist (90-357.5, 90-359), endorsement (90-360), provisional (90-361), fingerprints (90-357.6), renewal (90-362)
- board.url, exams.summary
- endorsement
- provisional (PLDN, PLN, 12 months)
- renewal, notes (March 31 expiration)
- telehealth, notes (reporting to other boards)
- telehealth (licensure; 21 NCAC 17 .0403)