Arkansas Dietitian License Requirements (2026)
Compiled and verified against primary state-board, CDR, and ACEND sources by DietitianLicense — cite-or-deny, with no invented figures. How we source & verify →
Arkansas licenses dietitians through the Arkansas Dietetics Licensing Board, a board under the Arkansas Department of Health, per 007.33.20 Ark. Code R. 045 (Dietetics Licensing Board Rules). The Board licenses "Licensed Dietitian" (LD) and "Provisional Licensed Dietitian" (PLD) only — it does not define or separately regulate a "nutritionist" title, so that title is not restricted to license holders in Arkansas.
Arkansas Dietitian License Requirements
| Licensing Authority | Arkansas Dietetics Licensing Board |
| Protected Titles | LD, PLD |
| Education | Baccalaureate or post-baccalaureate degree in human nutrition, food and nutrition, dietetics, or food systems management from a regionally accredited U.S. institution (or a validated equivalent foreign degree) — 900 supervised-practice hours |
| Exam | Registration Examination for Dietitians (Commission on Dietetic Registration (CDR)) |
| Continuing Education | 12 hours every 1 year |
| Endorsement (CDR/RD holders) | Arkansas grants licensure by reciprocity/endorsement when "the standards in that [other] state are not less than those provided for" under Arkansas's own rule (007.33.20 Ark. Code R. 045). Out-of-state applicants must submit current copies of the other state's governing rules/legal authority, their disciplinary history, contact information for that state's licensing authority, a copy of their license, and the applicable Arkansas application and renewal fees. |
Fee Breakdown
| Application Fee | $6 |
| Renewal Fee (every 1 year) | $3 |
Related & additional fees
Separate or situational costs — not part of the standard initial application.
| Provisional License (PLD) application | $8 |
| Provisional License (PLD) one-time 18-month renewal | $75 |
| License card replacement | $25 |
| Late fee (within 60 days of expiration) | $25 |
| Late fee (61-90 days) | $50 |
| Late fee (91+ days) | $110 |
Recommended exam prep
Formal prep pays for itself against a retake. These are the resources we point candidates to for the CDR Registration Examination for Dietitians.
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Mometrix · SponsoredDietitian Exam FlashcardsPortable flashcards for the high-frequency RD-exam topics — a cheaper add-on for drilling terms and definitions on the go.See the flashcards →Is “Nutritionist” a Protected Title in Arkansas?
Arkansas does not define or license "nutritionist" as a title distinct from (or at all alongside) "dietitian." 007.33.20 Ark. Code R. 045 defines only "Dietitian" ("one engaged in dietetics practice") and regulates the "Licensed Dietitian" (LD) and "Provisional Licensed Dietitian" (PLD) credentials — the term "nutritionist" does not appear as a protected or regulated title in the rule, so unlicensed individuals may lawfully use it in Arkansas as long as they do not claim to be a dietitian or use LD/PLD.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Arkansas require a dietitian license?
Yes. Arkansas licenses dietitians through the Arkansas Dietetics Licensing Board. The protected titles are LD, PLD.
How much does a dietitian license cost in Arkansas?
The application/initial license fee is $6, with a $3 renewal fee every 1 year.
Is the title "nutritionist" protected in Arkansas?
Arkansas does not define or license "nutritionist" as a title distinct from (or at all alongside) "dietitian." 007.33.20 Ark. Code R. 045 defines only "Dietitian" ("one engaged in dietetics practice") and regulates the "Licensed Dietitian" (LD) and "Provisional Licensed Dietitian" (PLD) credentials — the term "nutritionist" does not appear as a protected or regulated title in the rule, so unlicensed individuals may lawfully use it in Arkansas as long as they do not claim to be a dietitian or use LD/PLD.
Can I get a Arkansas dietitian license by endorsement if I'm already a CDR-registered RD?
Arkansas grants licensure by reciprocity/endorsement when "the standards in that [other] state are not less than those provided for" under Arkansas's own rule (007.33.20 Ark. Code R. 045). Out-of-state applicants must submit current copies of the other state's governing rules/legal authority, their disciplinary history, contact information for that state's licensing authority, a copy of their license, and the applicable Arkansas application and renewal fees.
Sources
- Arkansas Department of Health — Arkansas Board of Dietetics Licensing
- 007.33.20 Ark. Code R. 045 — Dietetics Licensing Board Rules (Cornell LII mirror; definitions, education, endorsement provisions)
- Requirements for Arkansas Dietetics Licensing (Arkansas DOH, application/renewal checklist + late-fee schedule)
Data last verified: 2026-07-22 | Source: Arkansas Department of Health — Arkansas Board of Dietetics Licensing