Steps to Become a Registered Dietitian in Alabama

Created by NutritionED.org Contributor

Alabama

Follow the step by step process or choose what situation that best describes you:

  1. Finish Your Registered Dietitian Education in Alabama
  2. Apply for your Dietetic Internship (DI) in Alabama
  3. Take and Pass the (CDR) Examination in Alabama
  4. Apply for Licensing as a RD/Nutritionist in Alabama
  5. Maintain Your License and Apply for Specialty Certifications

RD Careers in Alabama

According to the Commission on Dietetic Registration, there were 1,481 Registered Dietitians (RDs) and Registered Dietitian Nutritionists (RDNs) in Alabama as of April 2022. The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) reports that as of May 2021, dietitians and nutritionists in the state earned an average salary of $57,450. Early career professionals earned about $47,310, while those with extensive experience earned about $76,430.

Many of the metro areas in Alabama reported average salaries that exceeded the state average during this time. For example, dietitians and nutritionists in the Birmingham metro region earned an average salary of $58,720.*

The Alabama State Board of Examiners for Dietetics requires that all dietitians practicing in the state meet the following qualifications in order to become licensed to practice.

Step 1

Finish Registered Dietitian Education in Alabama

If you are at least 19 years old, have a reputation of a good moral character, and earn at least a bachelor’s degree from a Council on Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA)-regionally accredited institution with a major in a nutrition-related field along with a 900-hour internship, you may apply for a license to practice as a dietitian/nutritionist in Alabama (the state defines this profession as one and the same). The Commission on Dietetic Registration requires that you complete one of the following programs that are accredited by the Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics (ACEND) before you may take the examination to become a Registered Dietitian (RD). Passing this exam is mandatory before you may apply for licensure as a RD in Alabama.

ACEND-Accredited Programs Leading to Registered Dietitian (RD) Licensure in Alabama:

Students have the following choices to fulfill the educational requirements Alabama imposes on Registered Dietitians:

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.

Featured Nutritionist Programs

Back to Top

Step 2

Apply for Dietetic Internship (DI) in Alabama

The state of Alabama as well as CDR requires that you complete a Dietetic Internship (DI) after fulfilling your undergraduate coursework in dietitian studies. The program must be accredited by ACEND and provide a minimum of 1200 hours of supervised work. If you chose the Coordinated Program in Dietetics (CP) option above, you have already fulfilled your internship requirement and do not need to apply to a DI in Alabama.  As all DI programs have a different emphasis, you should take this in account when choosing from one of these DI Programs in Alabama:

Back to Top

Step 3

Take and Pass the (CDR) Examination.

Both the state of Alabama and CDR require that you pass the CDR Examination for Registered Dietitians prior to registration and licensing to practice in Alabama. Once you have completed your coursework and internship, CDR’s testing service, ACT, Inc., will send you an email stating your eligibility to test. You have one year from the time of receiving this eligibility to take the test.

The Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics eatrightPREP for the RDN Exam Site is a valuable resource in preparing for the CDR exam. CDR also provides a Comprehensive Study Outline and Study Guide that are helpful for students wanting a little extra help in preparing to take the CDR exam. The Registration Examination for Dietitians Handbook for Candidates explains the application and testing process and should be reviewed.

CDR will give you the information necessary to create an online account, from which you may register for and pay for the examination ($200, payable by credit card online). Pearson VUE will email you confirming that your payment has been received, and will ask you to schedule the date, time and place for your CDR exam. These Exam Centers throughout Alabama are available continuously for taking the CDR exam:

  • 4001 Carmichael Road, Suite 440, Montgomery
  • 2 Chase Corporate Drive, Suite 20, Birmingham
  • 3535 Grandview Parkway, Suite 640, Grandview I Office Bldg, Birmingham
  • 2623 Montgomery Hwy, Suite 4, Carmel Plaza, Dothan
  • 900 Western America Circle, Suite 212, Executive Center One, Mobile
  • 401 Lee Street NE, Suite 602, Decatur

Don’t forget to bring your government issued photo identification card along with your Scheduling Confirmation email to the testing center on exam day.

CDR Registration Exam for Dietitians

The Registration Exam for Dietitians is taken on a computer, and all questions must be answered in order as you are taking the exam. There are no corrections or skipped questions allowed. You will be given three hours to complete the exam, and will have from 125 to 145 questions (the length of each exam varies). In order for the computer to score your test, you must answer at least 125 questions.
The examination is multiple-choice and will cover the following concepts:

  • Principles of Dietetics (25 percent of exam)
    • Food Science/ Nutrient Composition
    • Nutrition/ Supporting Sciences
    • Education/ Communication/Technology
    • Research Applications
  • Nutrition Care – Individuals and Groups (40 percent of exam)
    • Screening/ Assessment
    • Diagnosis
    • Planning/Intervention
    • Monitoring/Evaluation
  • Management of Food and Nutrition Programs and Services (21 percent of exam)
    • Functions of Management
    • Human Resources
    • Financial Management
    • Marketing/Public Relations
    • Quality Management and Improvement
  • Food Service Systems (14 percent of exam)
    • Menu development
    • Production, Procurement, Service, Distribution
    • Sanitation/ safety
    • Equipment/facility planning

After you have finished taking the test, the test center proctor will give you a hard copy of your score report. A scaled score of 25 is required to pass the exam. CDR will email you within three weeks if you pass the exam and provide information on continuing education and maintaining your RD credential.

If you fail the exam, you may take it again, but must reauthorize to test again by email at [email protected], or by telephone at (312) 899-4859.

 

Back to Top

Step 4

Apply for State Licensing in Alabama.

Once you have passed the CDR Exam you have fulfilled Alabama’s requirements for licensure as a dietitian/nutritionist. Complete the Alabama Board of Examiners for Dietetic/Nutrition Practice Application for Licensure. You must submit a copy of your identification card from CDR showing that you are a Registered Dietitian as well as a copy of your current government issued photo identification card with your application. You must also include the application fee of $100 plus the license fee of $150 via check or money order payable to the Alabama Board of Examiners for Dietetic/Nutrition Practice. Send this information to the Board at the address below.

Have your signature notarized at the end of the application. Make sure to provide the Reference Forms included in the application to two persons who know your qualifications and will provide references for you. Instruct them to mail the reference forms to the Alabama Board of Examiners for Dietetic/Nutrition Practice, P.O. Box 300500, Montgomery, AL 36130-0500.

Back to Top

Step 5

Maintain License – Apply for Specialty Certifications

Renewing and Maintaining Your Alabama License

You are required to renew your Alabama license to practice as a Dietitian/Nutritionist biennially. During each two-year period, you must complete 30 hours of continuing professional education (CPE) that meets the Board guidelines and is sponsored by the following:

  • American Dietetic Association (ADA)
  • Commission on Dietetic Registration (CDR)
  • CDR approved organizations
  • Alabama Dietetic Association CPE Chairman

Approved CPE activities include:

  • Academic courses
  • Case presentations
  • Dietetic-related certificate programs sponsored by an accredited institution and accredited or approved by CDR, JCAHO or NCQA. (This may be used to fulfill all 30 hours of the CPE  requirement)
  • Exhibits
  • Developing experiential skills
  • Interactive workshops
  • Journal clubs
  • Seminars/lectures
  • Posters
  • Professional leadership
  • Professional reading
  • Research
  • Residency/fellowship programs
  • Independent learning that is sponsored
  • Study groups
  • Certification/recertification approved by CDR (may be used to satisfy the entire 30 hour CPE requirement)
  • Pre-approved self-study materials

License renewal and CPE submittal may be done online at the Board website. Include the renewal fee of $150 and all required documentation and verification of the CPE you have completed this renewal period.

Maintaining your CDR Registration as a Registered Dietitian in Alabama

You must renew your registration as a Registered Dietitian with the Commission on Dietetic Registration (CDR) every five years.  The CDR’s PDP Guide  will help you to choose continuing professional education that is necessary to keep your registration current. You must take 75 continuing professional education units (CPEUs) every five years. CDR’s online CPE database can help you to find approved CPE activities in Alabama.

Pursuing Specialty Certifications in Alabama

One way to fulfill the CDR’s CPE requirement is to pursue a specialty certification in nutrition. That is not the only reason that Registered Dietitians become certified in specialties, however. Having a specialty can increase your marketability as a Registered Dietitian and can help you to pursue topics that are of particular interest to you. The CDR offers the following specialty certification programs in Alabama:

  • Board Certified Specialist, Pediatric Nutrition
    • Requires current RD status with CDR and maintenance of this status for at least two years
    • Requires documentation of 2000 hours of practice experience in pediatric nutrition within the past five years
    • Must pass an examination, with exam locations in Birmingham, Huntsville, Mobile and Montgomery
    • Recertification is required every five years through the documentation of 2000 practice hours, submitting the application fee and passing an exam
  • Board Certified Specialist, Oncology Nutrition
    • Requires current RD status with CDR and maintenance of this status for at least two years
    • Requires documentation of 2000 hours of practice experience in oncology nutrition within the past five years
    • Must pass an examination, with exam locations in Birmingham, Huntsville, Mobile and Montgomery
    • Recertification is required every five years through documenting 2000 practice hours, submitting the application fee and passing an exam
  • Board Certified Specialist, Gerontological Nutrition
    • Requires current RD status with CDR and maintenance of this status for at least two years
    • Requires documentation of 2000 hours of practice experience in gerontological nutrition within the past five years
    • Must pass an examination, with exam locations in Birmingham, Huntsville, Mobile and Montgomery
    • Recertification is required every five years through documenting 2000 practice hours, submitting the application fee and passing an exam
  • Board Certified Specialist, Sports Dietetics
    • Must have current RD status with the CDR and have maintained that status for at least two years
    • Must have documentation of 1500 hours of practice experience in sports dietetics in the past five years
    • Must pass an examination, with locations in Birmingham, Mobile and Montgomery
    • Recertification is required every five years through documenting 1000 practice hours, submitting an application fee, and passing an exam
  • Board Certified Specialist, Renal Nutrition
    • Requires current RD status with CDR and maintenance of this status for at least two years
    • Requires documentation of 2000 hours of practice experience in renal nutrition within the past five years
    • Must pass an examination, with exam locations in Birmingham, Huntsville, Mobile and Montgomery
    • Recertification is required every five years through documenting 2000 practice hours, submitting the application fee and passing an exam

View how to become a nutritionist in Alabama here.

*2021 US Bureau of Labor Statistics salary figures and job growth projections for dietitians and nutritionists reflect state data not school-specific information. Conditions in your area may vary. Salary statistics representing entry-level/early career = 25th percentile; senior-level/highly experienced = 90th percentile. Data accessed April 2022.

Back to Top