Becoming a registered dietitian in Idaho requires a master’s degree from an ACEND-accredited program, completing a minimum of 1,000 supervised hours (most Idaho programs provide around 1,200), passing the CDR Registration Examination, and obtaining state licensure through the Idaho Board of Medicine. Median salary: $67,490 (BLS May 2024 OEWS); 90th percentile: $91,690+ (BLS May 2024).
Registration through the Commission on Dietetic Registration (CDR) and licensure through the Idaho Board of Medicine’s Dietetic Licensure Board are required to become a registered, licensed dietitian nutritionist (RDN) who can legally practice in Idaho. As of January 1, 2024, aspiring registered dietitians must complete a master’s degree from an ACEND-accredited program, making graduate education essential for entering this rewarding career.
According to the Commission on Dietetic Registration, Idaho had 786 Registered Dietitians (RDs) and Registered Dietitian Nutritionists (RDNs) as of June 2025. The demand for qualified nutrition professionals continues to grow as Idaho’s healthcare system expands and public awareness of the role of nutrition in disease prevention increases.
Licensed, registered dietitians in Idaho find employment opportunities across a diverse range of settings, including hospitals, health and wellness clinics, skilled nursing facilities, sports medicine programs, community colleges, universities, clinical research facilities, public health agencies, schools, food companies, diabetes care centers, cancer treatment facilities, and pharmaceutical companies.
Follow the step-by-step process or choose the situation that best describes you:
- Complete Registered Dietitian Education Requirements in Idaho
- Apply to a Dietetic Internship (DI) in Idaho
- Pass the CDR Registration Examination for Registered Dietitians
- Apply for Licensure as a Dietitian in Idaho
- Maintain Your Licensure and Registration in Idaho
- Pursue Specialty Certifications in Dietetics
Complete Registered Dietitian Education Requirements in Idaho
The Idaho Board of Medicine Dietetic Licensure Board requires all registered dietitian nutritionists to complete education and supervised experience through an approved program accredited by the Accreditation Council on Education in Nutrition and Dietetics (ACEND). Starting January 1, 2024, a master’s degree is required for RD eligibility, replacing the previous bachelor’s degree pathway.
The following bachelors and Master’s programs offer career-focused instruction delivered by trained nutritionists with experience in the field. Find out more what each individual course of study offers through the locations below.
Purdue Global's Bachelor of Science in Nutrition Program is an approved holistic nutrition education program through the National Association of Nutrition Professionals (NANP).
UNC's MPH Nutrition concentration prepares students to provide, evaluate and communicate nutritional and dietary guidance that improves individual and population-wide health outcomes. In addition to developing their knowledge of nutrition science, students will explore behavior change, communication, counseling and the effects of dietary culture on individuals and communities.
Walden University's Bachelor of Science (B.S.) in Health Studies - Health Promotion and Wellness gains job-ready, immediately applicable skills today's employers want.
The University of Texas at Austin offers an Online Master of Science in Nutritional Sciences.
Idaho offers two types of ACEND-accredited programs that meet the new graduate degree requirement:
Coordinated Programs in Dietetics (CP)
Coordinated programs combine academic coursework and supervised practice into a single, integrated program that fulfills the entire CDR education and internship requirement. Idaho currently offers one CP:
University of Idaho, Moscow – Master of Science in Dietetics
- Fully integrated program combining graduate education with 1,200 hours of supervised practice
- Prepares students for the CDR exam upon completion
- Meets the 2024 graduate degree requirement for RD eligibility
Didactic Programs in Dietetics (DPD)
Didactic programs offer coursework only, which means students must complete a separate dietetic internship after graduation. Idaho offers one DPD program:
Idaho State University, Pocatello – Bachelor of Science in Dietetics
- Provides foundational undergraduate education in dietetics
- A bachelor’s degree alone is no longer sufficient after January 2024
- Students must continue to a graduate-level internship/master’s program (such as ISU’s DI/MS program) to meet RD eligibility requirements
- Prepares students for competitive dietetic internship applications
Additional Nutrition and Wellness Programs (Non-RD Pathways)
The following programs offer nutrition and wellness education but are not ACEND-accredited and do not qualify for RD licensure. These programs may be suitable for general nutrition careers, health coaching, or wellness consulting, but graduates cannot become registered dietitians without completing an ACEND-accredited program:
Apply to a Dietetic Internship (DI) in Idaho
If you completed a didactic program rather than a coordinated program, you must complete supervised practice hours through an ACEND-accredited dietetic internship. The CDR requires a minimum of 1,000 supervised practice hours (ACEND standard) before you can sit for the registration examination, though most programs provide approximately 1,200 hours.
Idaho offers one ACEND-accredited dietetic internship program:
Idaho State University, Pocatello – Dietetic Internship Program
- Approximately 18 students enroll each year
- Matching occurs each April through the national D&D Digital matching system (competitive selection process)
- 16-month, full-time degree program
- Graduate-degree granting: Master of Science in Nutrition awarded upon completion
- Primary emphasis on community nutrition
- Offered at Pocatello/Twin Falls and Meridian campuses
- Provides approximately 1,200 hours of supervised practice (exceeds ACEND minimum)
- Meets the 2024 graduate degree requirement for RD eligibility
This program combines the internship requirement with graduate education, ensuring students meet the master’s degree requirement while completing supervised practice hours. Students who match with this program don’t need to pursue additional graduate education before taking the CDR exam.
Pass the CDR Registration Examination for Registered Dietitians
After completing your graduate degree and supervised practice hours, you must pass the Commission on Dietetic Registration’s Registration Examination for Dietitians to earn the RD credential. This computer-based examination tests your knowledge across four key domains of dietetic practice.
Exam Format and Content
The CDR exam consists of 125 to 145 multiple-choice questions covering:
- Food and nutrition sciences
- Nutrition care for individuals and groups
- Management of food and nutrition services and programs
- Foodservice systems
You’ll have approximately 2.5 hours to complete the examination. You must answer at least 125 questions for the computer to score your exam. The testing format doesn’t allow you to skip questions, return to previous questions, or review submitted answers during the examination.
Exam Preparation Resources
The CDR provides official study materials to help you prepare:
- Comprehensive Study Outline and Study Guide
- Registration Examination for Dietitians Handbook for Candidates
Registration and Testing Locations
The exam costs $200, payable to the CDR upon registration online. After payment, you’ll receive an email from Pearson VUE Exam Centers requesting that you schedule your exam date, location, and time. Idaho has Pearson VUE testing centers, including locations in Boise. Please use the Pearson VUE locator on their website to find the nearest testing center.
Bring a printed copy of your scheduling confirmation email from Pearson VUE and a government-issued photo identification (such as a driver’s license) to the exam center on test day.
Scoring and Results
You’ll receive your exam score immediately after completing the test. A scaled score of 25 or higher (on a scale from 1 to 50) is required to pass. If you don’t pass, you can retake the exam 45 days later by applying online through the CDR for permission to retest.
Once you pass the CDR Registration Examination, you earn the credentials RD (Registered Dietitian) or RDN (Registered Dietitian Nutritionist) and can proceed with state licensure applications.
Apply for Licensure as a Dietitian in Idaho
Idaho requires state licensure to practice as a registered dietitian nutritionist. The Idaho Board of Medicine Dietetic Licensure Board oversees the licensing process. You can only apply for licensure after completing all CDR requirements (graduate degree, supervised practice, and passing the registration examination).
Idaho Dietitian License Application Process
Apply online via the Idaho Board of Medicine licensing portal (preferred method) or submit paper forms. Follow these steps to obtain your Idaho RDN license:
1. Complete the Application
- Download the Application for Dietitian Licensure from the Idaho Board of Medicine website
- Complete all sections in their entirety
- Attach a passport-style recent headshot (approximately 3″ x 4″)
- Have the application notarized when you sign it
2. Submit Application Fee
- Include a $100 fee via check or money order payable to the Idaho State Board of Medicine
3. Arrange Educational Verification
- Have your degree-granting institution complete the Certificate of Professional Education (included in the application packet)
- The school must mail this form directly to: Idaho State Board of Medicine, P.O. Box 83720, Boise, ID 83720-0058
4. Arrange Internship Verification
- Have your internship director complete the Certificate of Dietetic Internship/Pre-Professional Program form (included in the application packet)
- The director must mail this form directly to the Idaho State Board of Medicine at the address above
5. Obtain Professional Recommendations
- Request two professional recommendations
- Provide each recommender with the Certificate of Recommendation form (included in the application packet)
- Each recommender must complete and mail the form directly to the Idaho State Board of Medicine.
Once the Board receives all required documents and verifies your credentials, it will issue your Idaho dietitian license, allowing you to practice as an RDN in the state legally.
Maintain Your Licensure and Registration in Idaho
Maintaining your credentials requires staying current with both Idaho state licensure and CDR registration. Each has different renewal requirements and timelines.
Idaho State License Renewal
Idaho RDN licenses must be renewed annually. The renewal timeline depends on when you receive your initial license:
- If you receive your initial license before March 30, you must renew it by June 30 of that same year
- If you receive your license after June 30, you don’t need to renew until June 30 of the following year
To renew your Idaho license, submit:
- Completed Request for Renewal form
- Renewal fee (amount specified on the form)
- Copy of your current CDR registration card
Idaho doesn’t require continuing education for state license renewal. However, you must maintain your national CDR registration, which does have continuing education requirements.
CDR Registration Maintenance
The Commission on Dietetic Registration requires 75 hours of continuing professional education (CPE) every five years to maintain your RD/RDN credentials, including at least one ethics credit. These hours are designated as CPEUs (Continuing Professional Education Units).
You’ll need to:
- Complete 75 CPEUs within each five-year recertification period
- Maintain a professional development portfolio documenting your CPE activities
- Search for approved CPE opportunities through the CDR’s online CPE database
- Follow the guidelines in the CDR’s PDP Guide for portfolio development
The portfolio system helps you track your professional development and identify areas where you need additional education. CPE opportunities include conferences, workshops, webinars, self-study courses, and specific specialty certifications that satisfy multiple CPEU requirements.
Pursue Specialty Certifications in Dietetics
Many Idaho RDNs pursue specialty certifications to enhance their expertise in specific areas of dietetics and nutrition. These certifications fulfill CDR continuing education requirements while increasing your marketability and allowing you to serve specialized populations.
Some specialty certifications recognized by the CDR fulfill the entire 75 CPEU requirement for a five-year recertification period. Available specializations include:
CDR Board Certification as a Specialist in Dietetics
- Gerontological Nutrition
- Pediatric Nutrition
- Oncology Nutrition
- Sports Dietetics
- Renal Nutrition
- Obesity and Weight Management
- Pediatric Critical Care Nutrition
- Advanced Practitioner Certificate in Clinical Nutrition
Other Professional Certifications
Additional certifications from recognized organizations that satisfy CDR requirements include:
- Accreditation Council for Clinical Lipidology – Clinical Lipid Specialist
- American Association of Diabetes Educators – Board Certified Advanced Diabetes Management (BC-ADM)
- Canadian Diabetes Educator Certification Board – Canadian Board Certified Diabetes Educator
- Healthcare Quality Certification Board/National Association for Healthcare Quality – Certified Professional in Healthcare Quality
- Institute of Food Technologists – Certified Food Science Specialist
- International Association of Eating Disorders Professionals – Certified Eating Disorders Registered Dietitian (CEDRD)
- International Board of Lactation Consultant Examiners – International Board Certified Lactation Consultant (IBCLC)
- National Board of Nutrition Support Certification – Certified Nutrition Support Clinician (CNSC)
- National Certification Board for Diabetes Educators – Certified Diabetes Care and Education Specialist (CDCES)
- North American Association of Food Equipment Manufacturers – Certified Foodservice Professional
- School Nutrition Association – School Nutrition Specialist
Registered Dietitian Salary and Career Outlook in Idaho
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (BLS OEWS, May 2024), Idaho dietitians and nutritionists earned a median annual wage of $67,490. Understanding salary expectations can help you plan your career path and make informed decisions abouteducational investmentss
Idaho Dietitian Salary by Experience Level (BLS OEWS May 2024)
| Experience Level | Percentile | Annual Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Entry-Level / Early Career | 25th | $49,400 |
| Mid-Career | 50th (Median) | $67,490 |
| Experienced Professional | 75th | $80,250 |
| Highly Experienced | 90th | $91,690+ |
The salary range reflects the value of experience, specialized certifications, and practice setting. RDNs working in clinical settings, specialized medical nutrition therapy, or private practice often earn at the higher end of the range.
Career Growth and Employment Outlook
As of June 2025, Idaho had 786 credentialed RDs and RDNs according to the Commission on Dietetic Registration. The state’s growing healthcare infrastructure and increased focus on preventive care create strong demand for qualified nutrition professionals.
Idaho’s registered dietitians work in diverse settings, including:
- Hospitals and medical centers
- Outpatient clinics and wellness centers
- Long-term care and skilled nursing facilities
- Public health departments and WIC programs
- School nutrition programs
- Sports medicine and athletic programs
- Private practice and consulting
- Food service management
- Research institutions and universities
- Pharmaceutical and food industry
Interested in exploring other career paths in nutrition? View how to become a nutritionist in Idaho here.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does it take to become a registered dietitian in Idaho?
It typically takes 5-6 years to become an RD in Idaho. This includes completing a bachelor’s degree (4 years), a master’s degree or combined master’s/internship program (1-2 years), and passing the CDR exam. If you choose a coordinated program that combines the master’s degree with the internship, you can complete requirements in approximately 5 years total.
Do I need a master’s degree to become a registered dietitian in Idaho?
Yes. As of January 1, 2024, a master’s degree is required for RD eligibility. This requirement applies nationwide, not just in Idaho. You must complete a graduate degree from an ACEND-accredited program before you can take the CDR Registration Examination.
Can I become an RD in Idaho with just a bachelor’s degree?
No. The 2024 requirement change means bachelor’s degrees alone are no longer sufficient for RD eligibility. Bachelor’s degrees alone are no longer valid for RD eligibility as of January 1, 2024. If you earned a bachelor’s degree before 2024, you’ll need to complete a graduate-level didactic program or enroll in a master’s/internship combined program to meet current requirements. All prospective RDs must now complete a master’s degree from an ACEND-accredited program.
How much does the CDR exam cost in Idaho?
The CDR Registration Examination costs $200. This fee is paid directly to the Commission on Dietetic Registration when you register for the exam. If you need to retake the exam, you’ll pay an additional $200 fee and must wait 45 days after your previous attempt. A scaled score of 25 or higher (on a scale from 1 to 50) is required to pass.
Does Idaho require a state license for registered dietitians?
Yes, Idaho requires state licensure to practice as a registered dietitian nutritionist. You must apply through the Idaho Board of Medicine Dietetic Licensure Board after earning your RD credentials from the CDR. The initial license application fee is $100, and licenses must be renewed annually. Only RD/RDN credentials through the CDR qualify for Idaho licensure; the CNS (Certified Nutrition Specialist) credential is not accepted for Idaho dietitian licensure.
What’s the difference between an RD and an RDN?
RD (Registered Dietitian) and RDN (Registered Dietitian Nutritionist) are equivalent credentials from the CDR. Both require the same education, supervised practice, and examination. The CDR introduced the RDN credential in 2013 to emphasize that all registered dietitians are nutritionists, though not all nutritionists are registered dietitians. Professionals can use either credential or both.
How many continuing education hours do Idaho RDNs need?
While Idaho doesn’t require continuing education for state license renewal, you must maintain your national CDR registration, which requires 75 CPEUs (Continuing Professional Education Units) every five years. Many specialty certifications can fulfill a significant portion or all of this requirement.
Key Takeaways
- Graduate degree required nationwide: As of January 2024, you must complete a master’s degree from an ACEND-accredited program to become an RD
- Idaho pathways available: University of Idaho coordinated program (MS) OR Idaho State University bachelor’s degree followed by their MS/DI combined program
- Supervised practice hours: Minimum 1,000 supervised hours required (ACEND standard; Idaho programs provide approximately 1,200 hours)
- Pass the CDR exam: Score 25 or higher (on a 1-50 scale) on the Registration Examination for Dietitians; exam costs $200
- Idaho state licensure required: Apply through Idaho Board of Medicine Dietetic Licensure Board ($100 fee, annual renewal)
- Competitive median salary: $67,490 (BLS OEWS May 2024); 90th percentile earns $91,690+
- Continuing education: CDR requires 75 CPEUs every 5 years (including 1 ethics credit); Idaho license has no CE requirement
Ready to Start Your Journey as a Registered Dietitian in Idaho?
Idaho’s growing healthcare system and focus on preventive nutrition care create excellent opportunities for qualified registered dietitians. With the proper education and credentials, you can build a rewarding career helping individuals and communities achieve better health through nutrition. Explore ACEND-accredited programs in Idaho today and take the first step toward making a meaningful impact in nutrition and dietetics.
The following bachelors and Master’s programs offer career-focused instruction delivered by trained nutritionists with experience in the field. Find out more what each individual course of study offers through the locations below.
Purdue Global's Bachelor of Science in Nutrition Program is an approved holistic nutrition education program through the National Association of Nutrition Professionals (NANP).
UNC's MPH Nutrition concentration prepares students to provide, evaluate and communicate nutritional and dietary guidance that improves individual and population-wide health outcomes. In addition to developing their knowledge of nutrition science, students will explore behavior change, communication, counseling and the effects of dietary culture on individuals and communities.
Walden University's Bachelor of Science (B.S.) in Health Studies - Health Promotion and Wellness gains job-ready, immediately applicable skills today's employers want.
The University of Texas at Austin offers an Online Master of Science in Nutritional Sciences.
2024 US Bureau of Labor Statistics salary figures and job growth projections for dietitians and nutritionists and dietetic technicians reflect state and national data, not school-specific information. Conditions in your area may vary. Data accessed September 2025.
