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 Tennessee
- Renewal follows a biennial birth-month schedule, not a fixed statewide date.
- Applicants send a professional character reference letter and have a criminal background check sent directly from the board's vendor.
- Tennessee was one of the first three states to enact the Dietitian Licensure Compact, in 2024. No state issues privileges yet.
Does Tennessee license dietitians?
Tennessee reserves the dietitian and nutritionist titles for licensees, and board rules treat the practice of dietetics/nutrition as a healing art restricted to people the board credentials. Non-medical nutrition services by people who do not claim the title are exempt. The board may license an applicant on current CDR registration.
- License
- Licensed Dietitian/Nutritionist (LDN)
- Practice is restricted to credential holders
Citation: Tenn. Code Ann. 63-25; Tenn. Comp. R. & Regs. 0470-01
Is Tennessee in the Dietitian Compact?
Tennessee has enacted the Dietitian Licensure Compact (2024), 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 Tennessee credential by endorsement?
The board may waive the exam, education and experience requirements for someone currently licensed, certified or registered as a dietitian in another state, DC or a territory with substantially equivalent qualifications.
- Endorsement or registration-based route
- CDR registration not required
Citation: Tenn. Code Ann. 63-25-109(a)
Does Tennessee have a jurisprudence exam?
Applicants verify passing the CDR registration exam. No state jurisprudence exam was confirmed.
Telehealth dietitians and Tennessee
No telehealth registration exists. The Academy lists Tennessee's general telehealth statute (63-1-155) as requiring licensure.
Does Tennessee offer a provisional permit for new graduates?
A temporary permit is available to a graduate who completed the academic and experience requirements and applied for or took the exam. It lasts one year and may be extended up to six months with a satisfactory explanation.
- Provisional permit available
Does Tennessee credential non-RD nutritionists?
Tennessee issues one combined dietitian/nutritionist license. There is no separate non-RD nutritionist credential.
- No separate nutritionist credential
How often does a Tennessee dietitian credential renew?
Licenses renew every two years, due the last day of the licensee's birth month. Online renewal opens 70 days before expiration.
- Renews every 2 years
Licensing in Tennessee?
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 (Tennessee, 2024)
- compact (SB 1862 / HB 1863 enacted)
- board, renewal.summary (70 days), notes (criminal background check)
- credential (title and practice restriction)
- exams.summary, notes (character letter, background check)
- renewal (biennial birthdate renewal)
- credential.summary (63-25-104 exemptions), cdrRequired, endorsement and provisional (63-25-109)
- telehealth (licensure; 63-1-155)