The Process

The Professional Nutrition and Dietetics Concentration in the Dietetics major at JMU is accredited as a Didactic Program in Dietetics (DPD) by the Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics (ACEND) of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics.

Effective January 1, 2024, the Commission on Dietetic Registration (CDR) will require a minimum of a master’s degree to be eligible to take the credentialing exam to become a registered dietitian nutritionist (RDN). In addition, CDR requires that individuals complete coursework and supervised practice in program(s) accredited by the Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics (ACEND).

To become a registered dietitian nutritionist upon graduation from the JMU Professional Nutrition and Dietetics concentration in Dietetics, students enroll in an ACEND-accredited:

• Dietetic Internship (DI) Program to complete supervised practice experience and will need to earn a graduate degree. Note Dietetic Internships may coordinate a graduate degree with their program. Graduates are then eligible to write the Commission on Dietetic Registration (CDR) registered dietitian nutritionist credentialing exam.

OR

• Coordinated Program in Dietetics (CP), or Graduate Program (GP) or International Coordinated Program (ICP). These programs combine classroom and supervised practical experience to earn a graduate degree. Graduates are then eligible to write the Commission on Dietetic Registration (CDR) registered dietitian nutritionist credentialing exam.

For more information on the educational process to become an RDN, visit CDR RD Eligibility Requirements.

Registered Dietitian Nutritionist State Licensure

The Registered Dietitian Nutritionist (RDN) credential is a national certification of competence in dietetics. Virginia does not have state licensure for dietitians at the current time. Completing an ACEND-accredited academic program alone does not qualify an individual for licensure or certification as a dietitian in any state. Individuals should review their state's licensing statutes and regulations to understand the specific requirements, including supervised practice and examinations, needed to obtain a dietetics license. More information about state licensure and certification can be found at this link: State Licensure.

Verification Statement and Dietetic Technician, Registered (DTR) Registration Exam

Students successfully completing the Didactic Program in Dietetics, will receive a signed verification statement form to be eligible for an ACEND-accredited Dietetic Internship and/or to take the national Dietetic Technician, Registered (DTR) examination. Licensure requirements for DTRs vary by state.  See the DTR Licensure Disclosure page for more information.

Verification statement forms will be processed as soon as the JMU Registrar has posted the degree to the student’s record, normally within four weeks following graduation, and sent to students’ JMU email address. Verification statement forms showing completion of DPD requirements at JMU will be issued only to students who complete the Professional Nutrition and Dietetics concentration after full admission to the dietetics program at JMU.