DietitianLicense

Illinois 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 →

Illinois licenses dietitians and nutritionists together under a single "Licensed Dietitian Nutritionist" (LDN) credential, governed by the Dietitian Nutritionist Practice Act (225 ILCS 30) and administered by the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation (IDFPR). Illinois formerly issued a separate "Nutrition Counselor" license, but that category was repealed effective March 5, 2004, leaving the LDN as the state's only dietetics/nutrition credential. IDFPR moved dietitian nutritionist applications onto its new online CORE licensing system on October 30, 2024.

Illinois Dietitian License Requirements

Licensing AuthorityIllinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation (IDFPR) (IDFPR)
Protected TitleLicensed Dietitian Nutritionist (LDN)
EducationBaccalaureate or post-baccalaureate degree with a major course of study in human nutrition, dietetics, food and nutrition, or food systems management from a regionally accredited institution (or, alternatively, a degree plus 18 semester hours each of clinical/life sciences and nutrition/metabolism coursework), meeting Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics (ACEND) academic standards and approved by IDFPR. — 900 supervised-practice hours
ExamRegistration Examination for Dietitians (or an accepted equivalent) (Commission on Dietetic Registration (CDR); IDFPR also accepts exams from the American Clinical Board of Nutrition, the Board for Certification of Nutrition Specialists, or the Clinical Nutrition Certification Board)
Continuing Education30 hours every 2 years
Endorsement (CDR/RD holders)IDFPR may license by endorsement without re-examination if the applicant's out-of-state license requirements were substantially equal to Illinois's at the time of licensure; applicants holding current registration/certification from CDR or another recognized national credentialing body may also have exam and documentation requirements waived. An endorsement application form is published on IDFPR's dietitian nutritionist licensing page.

Fee Breakdown

Application Fee$100
Initial License Fee$100
Renewal Fee (every 2 years)$100

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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Registration Examination for Dietitians Secrets Study GuideMometrix · SponsoredRegistration Examination for Dietitians Secrets Study GuideA full review of the CDR Registration Examination for Dietitians — domain-by-domain concept breakdowns and practice questions built for a first-try pass.See the study guide →Dietitian Exam FlashcardsMometrix · 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 Illinois?

Illinois does not maintain a separate "nutritionist" license or pathway distinct from the Licensed Dietitian Nutritionist (LDN) credential. The state's former "Nutrition Counselor" license category (which would have been the closest analog to a stand-alone nutritionist credential) was repealed effective March 5, 2004 (68 Ill. Admin. Code 1245.200-.260, repealed), leaving the combined LDN as the only dietetics/nutrition license IDFPR issues. Separately, Illinois law (per secondary summaries of the Act) permits unlicensed individuals to provide general nonmedical nutrition information, wellness coaching, and non-medical weight-control guidance without an LDN license, as long as they do not perform Medical Nutrition Therapy or use a protected title such as "dietitian," "dietitian nutritionist," or "L.D.N."

Frequently Asked Questions

Does Illinois require a dietitian license?

Yes. Illinois licenses dietitians through the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation (IDFPR) (IDFPR). The protected title is Licensed Dietitian Nutritionist (LDN).

How much does a dietitian license cost in Illinois?

The application/initial license fee is $100, with a $100 renewal fee every 2 years.

Is the title "nutritionist" protected in Illinois?

Illinois does not maintain a separate "nutritionist" license or pathway distinct from the Licensed Dietitian Nutritionist (LDN) credential. The state's former "Nutrition Counselor" license category (which would have been the closest analog to a stand-alone nutritionist credential) was repealed effective March 5, 2004 (68 Ill. Admin. Code 1245.200-.260, repealed), leaving the combined LDN as the only dietetics/nutrition license IDFPR issues. Separately, Illinois law (per secondary summaries of the Act) permits unlicensed individuals to provide general nonmedical nutrition information, wellness coaching, and non-medical weight-control guidance without an LDN license, as long as they do not perform Medical Nutrition Therapy or use a protected title such as "dietitian," "dietitian nutritionist," or "L.D.N."

Can I get a Illinois dietitian license by endorsement if I'm already a CDR-registered RD?

IDFPR may license by endorsement without re-examination if the applicant's out-of-state license requirements were substantially equal to Illinois's at the time of licensure; applicants holding current registration/certification from CDR or another recognized national credentialing body may also have exam and documentation requirements waived. An endorsement application form is published on IDFPR's dietitian nutritionist licensing page.

Sources

Data last verified: 2026-07-22 | Source: IDFPR — Dietitian Nutritionist licensing page