Steps to Become a Registered Dietitian in Alaska

Created by NutritionED.org Contributor

Alaska

Follow the step-by-step process or select the situation that best describes you as you learn how to become a Registered Dietitian in Alaska:

  1. Get Your Registered Dietitian Education in Alaska
  2. Alaska Dietetic Internship (DI)
  3. Alaska Commission on Dietetic Registration (CDR) Examination
  4. Apply for State Licensing as a Registered Dietitian in Alaska
  5. Maintain Your Alaska License and Apply for Specialty Certifications

Nutrition Careers in Alaska

The Commission on Dietetic Registration reported 230 Registered Dietitians (RDs) and Registered Dietitian Nutritionists (RDNs) in Alaska as of April 2022. As of May 2021, the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) revealed that dietitians and nutritionists in Alaska earned an average salary of $72,010.

Alaska’s nonmetropolitan region ranks among the top nonmetro areas in the nation for its average pay for dietitians and nutritionists, which was $74,200 as of May 2021. The average pay for dietitians and nutritionists was similar in the Anchorage metro region, at $74,320.*

Registered Dietitians in Alaska may work in a variety of settings, including:

  • Hospitals
  • Health care facilities
  • Long-term care facilities
  • Schools
  • Military bases
  • Indian tribes

How to Become a Registered Dietitian in Alaska – Follow These Steps

All Registered Dietitians working in Alaska must have a license to work in the state.

The following information will describe how to become a registered dietitian in Alaska.

Step 1

Get Registered Dietitian Education in Alaska

The Alaska Dietetic Association requires that, if you wish for dietitian licensing in the state, you must meet the mandates of the Commission on Dietetic Registration (CDR) and become a Registered Dietitian. Completion of one of the following educational programs accredited by the Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics (ACEND) is required:

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

In order to become a Registered Dietitian in Alaska, you must complete one of these programs:

  • Coordinated Programs in Dietetics (CP) – CP Programs provide both undergraduate courses and internships to fulfill the CDR’s requirements for licensing as a registered dietitian in Alaska. Currently, no CP programs in dietetics are offered at this time.
  • Didactic Programs in Dietetics (DPD) – DPD Programs offer undergraduate courses that lead to a bachelor’s degree. After completion of the DPD, you must still fulfill the internship requirement. DPD programs in Alaska are:

Nutritionist Licensing in Alaska

If you wish to become a licensed nutritionist authorized to practice in the state of Alaska (view Alaskan Nutritionist License requirements), you must meet one of the following educational requirements:

  • Qualify as a diplomate of the American Clinical Board of Nutrition:
    • Hold a doctorate degree in a health care professional field
    • Have 300 hours of postgraduate education in nutrition
    • Have two years of practice experience in nutrition
    • Pass the ACBN examination  
  • Qualify as a Certified Nutrition Specialist with the Certification Board for Nutritional Specialists:
    • Hold either a Master’s of Science or Doctoral degree in nutrition or a doctoral degree in a field of clinical healthcare from an accredited university
    • Complete the following coursework:
      • 9 credit hours in nutrition
      • 6 credit hours in biochemistry
      • 3 credit hours in physiology or anatomy and physiology
      • 12 credit hours in clinical or life sciences
    • Complete 1000 hours of supervised nutrition practice experience
    • Pass the CBNS Certifying Examination
  • Hold a master’s or doctoral degree from a regionally accredited institution with a major in food and nutrition, public health nutrition, human nutrition, community nutrition, nutrition education, or clinical nutrition.

Additionally, you must complete an internship in human nutrition that is at least 900 hours in duration.

Once these qualifications have been met, apply for Nutritionist Licensure in Alaska via this application form. Make sure to include the application fee of $100 and license fee of $125 via check or money order payable to the State of Alaska. Mail to State of Alaska; Department of Commerce, Community and Economic Development; Division of Corporations, Business and Professional Licensing; Dietitians and Nutritionists Program; P.O. Box 110806; Juneau, AK 99811-0806.

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

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Step 2

Alaska Dietetic Internship (DI)

With bachelor’s degree in hand, you are ready to apply for a Dietetic Internship (DI) in Alaska. These programs are accredited by ACEND and offer you the opportunity to work supervised in the field of dietetics for 1200 hours.

In Alaska, DI programs include:

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Step 3

Alaska Commission on Dietetic Registration (CDR) Examination

In Alaska, before becoming licensed to practice as a registered dietitian you must pass the CDR Examination for Registered Dietitians. This exam is taken after all coursework and internship time is finished. You will receive an email from ACT, Inc., the testing service of CDR when you are eligible to take the test. From the date of receipt of this email, you have one year to schedule and take the test.  

The Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics eatrightPREP for the RDN Exam Site offers an online course and practice test for a fee that may help you prepare to take the CDR test. You may also purchase the Comprehensive Study Outline and Study Guide from CDR. The Registration Examination for Dietitians Handbook for Candidates will help you in the application and examination process.

You will register and pay for the CDR exam online. The CDR exam costs $200 and you may pay online by credit card. Once Pearson VUE has received payment, they will email you to schedule the location, date and time of your CDR Registered Dietitian Exam. Exams are given year round at these Alaska Pearson VUE Exam Centers:
2550 Denali St., Suite 511, Denali Towers North Bldg, Anchorage

You must bring a photo ID and your email confirming your scheduled date, place and time with you to the test center on the day of the exam.

CDR Registration Exam for Dietitians

The Registration Exam for Dietitians is a three hour, multiple-choice, computerized examination. You must answer every question and may not skip answers or go back to change any answers. It will range from 125 to 145 questions, but you must answer a minimum of 125 questions for the exam to be scored.  

Four major areas of dietetics and nutrition are covered on the exam:

  1. Food Service Systems: 14% of the exam and covers items such as sustainability, facility planning, sanitation, menu development and procurement.
  2. Principles of Dietetics: 25% of the exam and covers concepts including management, research, education, nutrition and food science.
  3. Nutrition Care – Individuals and Groups: 40% percent of the exam and covers concepts like evaluation, planning, diagnosis and assessment.
  4. Management of Food and Nutrition Programs and Services: 21% of the exam and includes questions on quality improvement, public relations, managing finances, human resources, and management functions.

You will receive your score report at the test center on the day of the exam. You must get at least a scaled score of 25 to pass the CDR exam. You will receive an email from CDR giving you information on your new RD credential.
You may re-take the exam 45 days after the date of the first exam if you do not pass the first time. Email the Commission on Dietetic Registration at [email protected] or call them at (312) 899-4859. Ask for a reauthorization to take the CDR RD Exam.

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Step 4

State Licensing as a Registered Dietitian in Alaska

If you have your Registered Dietitian credential from CDR, you are ready to apply for licensure as a dietitian in Alaska.

Complete the Alaska Dietitian Application, and have it notarized. Enclose a check/money order payable to the State of Alaska for $100 (application fee) plus $125 (license fee) for a total of $225. Ask the CDR to send verification of your registration directly to the State of Alaska Department of Commerce, Community and Economic Development, Division of Corporations, Business and Professional Licensing.  Attach a recent head shot photo of yourself to the application. Mail to the State of Alaska; Department of Commerce, Community and Economic Development; Division of Corporations, Business and Professional Licensing; Dietitian and Nutritionists Program; P.O. Box 110806; Juneau, A 99811-0806.

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Step 5

Maintain Alaska License and Specialty Certifications

Renewing Your Alaska License

You must renew your license every other year and pay a $125 renewal fee. You may renew online or use the Dietitian/Nutritionist License Renewal Form and pay the fee. Mail to State of Alaska; Department of Commerce, Community and Economic Development; Division of Corporations, Business and Professional Licensing; Dietitian Licensing Program; P.O. Box 110806; Juneau, AK 99811-0806.

Maintaining your CDR Registration as a Registered Dietitian in Alaska

The Commission on Dietetic Registration (CDR) requires that you renew your registration with them every five years. During each five-year period, you must complete 75 units of continuing professional education (CPE). Utilize the PDP Guide  to determine what qualifies as CPE. To find approved CPE activities in Alaska use the  CDR’s online CPE database.

Specialty Certifications in Nutrition in Alaska

One way that many Registered Dietitians in Alaska fulfill their CPE requirements with the CDR and move forward in their professions is to earn specialty certifications in nutrition-related areas. The CDR recognizes that certain specialty certifications earned in each five-year renewal period are sufficient to fulfill the entire 75 CPEU requirement for that period. These certifications include:

  • CDR Board Certified Specialist in Gerontological Nutrition
  • CDR Board Certified Specialist in Oncology Nutrition
  • CDR Board Certified Specialist in Obesity and Weight Management
  • CDR Board Certified Specialist in Pediatric Nutrition
  • CDR Board Certified Specialist in Pediatric Critical Care Nutrition
  • CDR Board Certified Specialist in Renal Nutrition
  • CDR Board Certified Specialist in Sports Dietetics

*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.

View how to become a nutritionist in Alaska here.

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