South Dakota Dietitian License

Does South Dakota license dietitians?

South Dakota bars anyone without a license from practicing nutrition and dietetics or providing nutrition care services, and reserves the dietitian and nutritionist titles. RDs are licensed under the title licensed nutritionist (LN). Applicants qualify through a dietetics track or a nutrition track.

• License
• Licensed Nutritionist (LN)
• Practice is restricted to credential holders

Citation: SDCL 36-10B; ARSD 20:83

Is South Dakota in the Dietitian Compact?

South Dakota has enacted the Dietitian Licensure Compact (2025), but no state issues compact privileges yet. Until they start, practicing here takes the state's own credential.

• Compact enacted, not issuing yet

Can a dietitian licensed elsewhere get a South Dakota credential by endorsement?

The board may license someone licensed as a dietitian or nutritionist in another state or territory whose standards are not less stringent than South Dakota's.

• Endorsement or registration-based route
• CDR registration not required

Citation: SDCL 36-10B-11

Does South Dakota have a jurisprudence exam?

The dietetics track uses the CDR registration exam, or current CDR registration in place of the degree requirement. No state jurisprudence exam was confirmed.

Telehealth dietitians and South Dakota

No telehealth registration exists. The Academy lists South Dakota's telehealth chapter (SDCL 34-52) as requiring licensure.

Does South Dakota offer a provisional permit for new graduates?

The board may grant a one-year, nonrenewable temporary permit to an applicant who finished the education and experience requirements. It carries all the privileges of a license.

• Provisional permit available

Does South Dakota credential non-RD nutritionists?

The same LN license has a nutrition track for non-RD nutritionists alongside the dietetics track for RDs, so nutritionists and dietitians hold one credential.

• Nutritionist credential

How often does a South Dakota dietitian credential renew?

Licenses renew every year with at least 15 hours of continuing education, or 75 hours accumulated over five years. A late fee applies to renewals received more than 30 days after the annual renewal date.

• Renews every year
• 15 CE hours per cycle