Graduation and DI Completion Requirements

Interns must successfully complete all supervised experience practices including documentation of attainment of competencies through evaluations and assignments. During the program’s supervised practice component, an intern must meet the competencies as determined for that experience.

The intern will be given formal evaluations throughout the internship. Interns may be given additional time to complete supervised experiences, pending approval of Dietetic Internship director and preceptors. Interns must complete all supervised practice rotations no later than 6 months following the scheduled time for completion of the program.

Verification Statement Procedures

Upon successful completion of the Dietetic Internship program, each intern will receive a Verification Statement. This is the form used by the Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics to verify that all supervised practice requirements are met for Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics active membership. The Commission on Dietetic Registration (CDR) requires it for eligibility for the Registration Examination for Dietitians. The program director will notify CDR when interns have completed all requirements for eligibility for the Registration Examination. Upon notification from CDR, it will be the graduate’s responsibility to make arrangements to take the exam.

Credentialing Process for Registered Dietitians

Interns that successfully complete this internship will receive a verification statement from the program director. This verification is required for all individuals to sit for the national registration exam, which is a required step in the process of becoming a registered dietitian. After fulfilling the requirements for becoming a registered dietitian, some states may require further licensure. For information on state licensure requirements, please contact the Department of Financial and Professional Regulation at www.idfpr.com. For information on Illinois state licensure, certification, and registration, please visit http://www.cdrnet.org/certifications/ 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 order to be approved for registration examination eligibility with a bachelor’s degree, an individual must meet all eligibility requirements and be submitted into CDR’s Registration Eligibility Processing System (REPS) before 12:00 midnight Central Time, December 31, 2023. For more information about this requirement visit CDR’s website: https://www.cdrnet.org/graduatedegree. 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). Graduates who successfully complete the ACEND-accredited [program type] program at [Institution name] are eligible to [apply to an ACEND-accredited supervised practice program/apply to take the CDR credentialing exam to become an RDN].

In most states, graduates also must obtain licensure or certification to practice. View information about state licensure requirements.

Learn more about educational pathways to become a RDN

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