Kentucky 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 →
Kentucky licenses "dietitian" and separately certifies "nutritionist" as two distinct credentials — with a dual licensure/certification option — under KRS Chapter 310, administered by the Kentucky Board of Licensure and Certification for Dietitians and Nutritionists. Under KRS 310.070(1), it is unlawful to practice dietetics or nutrition, or to represent oneself as a dietitian or nutritionist (or use titles like "dietitian," "nutritionist," "licensed dietitian," or "certified nutritionist"), without holding the corresponding license or certification from the Board.
Kentucky Dietitian License Requirements
| Licensing Authority | Kentucky Board of Licensure and Certification for Dietitians and Nutritionists |
| Protected Titles | LD, CN |
| Education | Licensed Dietitian pathway: baccalaureate degree from an ACEND-accredited program plus professional registration with the Commission on Dietetic Registration (CDR). Certified Nutritionist pathway: a master's degree (per 201 KAR 33:015 / KRS 310.031(3)) including a minimum of 12 semester hours of didactic (non-practicum, non-thesis) graduate credit in human nutrition. |
| Exam | Registration Examination for Dietitians (Commission on Dietetic Registration (CDR)) |
| Continuing Education | 15 hours every 1 year |
Fee Breakdown
| Application Fee | $50 |
| Renewal Fee (every 1 year) | $50 |
Related & additional fees
Separate or situational costs — not part of the standard initial application.
| Late renewal (60-day grace period), per credential | $25 |
| Reinstatement after grace period, per credential | $50 |
| Duplicate license/certificate | $10 |
| Inactive status (annual) | $15 |
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.
Some links below are affiliate links. If you buy through them we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you.
Mometrix · 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 →
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 Kentucky?
Kentucky regulates "nutritionist" as its own certification ("Certified Nutritionist," CN) distinct from the "Licensed Dietitian" (LD) credential, each with its own education pathway under 201 KAR 33:015 — LD requires an ACEND-accredited baccalaureate program plus CDR registration, while CN requires a master's degree with at least 12 semester hours of didactic human-nutrition coursework. An applicant can pursue dual licensure/certification as both LD and CN. KRS 310.070(1) separately bars unlicensed use of either "dietitian"/"licensed dietitian" or "nutritionist"/"certified nutritionist" titles.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Kentucky require a dietitian license?
Yes. Kentucky licenses dietitians through the Kentucky Board of Licensure and Certification for Dietitians and Nutritionists. The protected titles are LD, CN.
How much does a dietitian license cost in Kentucky?
The application/initial license fee is $50, with a $50 renewal fee every 1 year.
Is the title "nutritionist" protected in Kentucky?
Kentucky regulates "nutritionist" as its own certification ("Certified Nutritionist," CN) distinct from the "Licensed Dietitian" (LD) credential, each with its own education pathway under 201 KAR 33:015 — LD requires an ACEND-accredited baccalaureate program plus CDR registration, while CN requires a master's degree with at least 12 semester hours of didactic human-nutrition coursework. An applicant can pursue dual licensure/certification as both LD and CN. KRS 310.070(1) separately bars unlicensed use of either "dietitian"/"licensed dietitian" or "nutritionist"/"certified nutritionist" titles.
Sources
- Kentucky Board of Licensure and Certification for Dietitians and Nutritionists — official site
- 201 KAR 33:015 — Application; approved programs (Kentucky Legislature)
- 201 KAR 33:020 — Renewal (Kentucky Legislature)
- 201 KAR 33:010 — Fees (Cornell LII mirror)
- KRS 310.070 — Unlawful practice or use of title; exceptions (Kentucky Legislature)
Data last verified: 2026-07-22 | Source: Kentucky Board of Licensure and Certification for Dietitians and Nutritionists — official site