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 Washington
- Washington certifies titles; using "dietitian" alone is not on the statute's list of restricted designations, which name certified dietitian, certified nutritionist, D., C.D. and C.N.
- Washington enacted the Dietitian Licensure Compact in 2026 (HB 2088). No state issues privileges yet.
- Applicants educated outside the United States must first become CDR-registered dietitians.
Does Washington license dietitians?
Washington certifies dietitians and nutritionists through the Department of Health. The law bars only representing oneself as a certified dietitian or certified nutritionist, or using C.D. or C.N., without certification. A dietitian applicant needs the education, 900 supervised hours and a passing CDR exam result, or certification by endorsement.
- Certification
- Certified Dietitian (CD); Certified Nutritionist (CN)
- Only the title is protected
Citation: RCW 18.138; WAC 246-822
Is Washington in the Dietitian Compact?
Washington has enacted the Dietitian Licensure Compact (2026), 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 Washington credential by endorsement?
Certification by endorsement is open to someone credentialed for the past two years in a state with substantially equivalent standards, or to anyone holding current CDR registration as an RD or RDN, provided they meet the uniform disciplinary act's endorsement conditions.
- Endorsement or registration-based route
- CDR registration not required
Citation: WAC 246-822-133; RCW 18.138.050
Does Washington have a jurisprudence exam?
The department requires a passing CDR registration exam result sent directly from CDR. No state jurisprudence exam was confirmed.
Telehealth dietitians and Washington
No telehealth registration exists. Certified dietitians and nutritionists may serve Washington residents in person or by telehealth. The Academy points to Washington's Uniform Telehealth Act provision on out-of-state practitioners (RCW 18.134.050).
Does Washington credential non-RD nutritionists?
The certified nutritionist title is open to anyone qualified as a certified dietitian, or to holders of a master's or doctorate in human nutrition, nutrition education, foods and nutrition or public health nutrition. It is a title certification, not a practice license.
- Nutritionist credential
How often does a Washington dietitian credential renew?
Certification renews every year on the practitioner's birthday. The renewal fee is $45 plus a $16 HEAL-WA surcharge; the original application is $65 plus the same surcharge.
- Renews every year
Licensing in Washington?
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 (Washington, 2026)
- compact (HB 2088 enacted)
- credential (18.138.020), cdrRequired and nutritionist (18.138.030), endorsement (18.138.050), notes
- endorsement (246-822-133), exams (246-822-150), telehealth (246-822-175), renewal (246-822-990), notes (246-822-160)
- board.url
- telehealth (RCW 18.134.050)