Maine 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 →
Maine licenses dietitians and dietetic technicians through the Board of Licensing of Dietetic Practice, part of the Department of Professional and Financial Regulation's Office of Professional and Occupational Regulation (OPOR), under Title 32, Chapter 104 of the Maine Revised Statutes. The statute protects only "licensed dietitian" and "licensed dietetic technician" — the title "nutritionist" is not defined, licensed, or otherwise addressed anywhere in Chapter 104.
Maine Dietitian License Requirements
| Licensing Authority | Maine Board of Licensing of Dietetic Practice |
| Protected Titles | Licensed Dietitian, Licensed Dietetic Technician |
| Education | Baccalaureate or higher degree from a U.S. regionally accredited institution, with academic coursework in organic and inorganic chemistry, human physiology, microbiology, principles of sociology or psychology, basic communication skills, economics, food composition, nutrition, and management theory |
| Exam | Examination administered by the American Dietetic Association or board-approved equivalent (statute retains the pre-2012 "American Dietetic Association" name; in current practice this is the CDR Registration Examination for Dietitians, administered by the Commission on Dietetic Registration) (Commission on Dietetic Registration (CDR)) |
| Continuing Education | 15 hours every 1 year |
| Endorsement (CDR/RD holders) | 32 M.R.S. §9907-A directs the board to establish a license-by-endorsement process, and §9912 (Reciprocity) allows the board to license applicants already licensed in another state if that state's standards are equivalent to or greater than Maine's, without imposing more stringent requirements on out-of-state applicants than on in-state ones. |
Fee Breakdown
| Application Fee | $150 |
| Initial License Fee | $150 |
| Renewal Fee (every 1 year (expires December 31 each year)) | $150 |
Related & additional fees
Separate or situational costs — not part of the standard initial application.
| Criminal history records check | $21 |
| Late renewal fee (after December 31) | $50 |
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 Maine?
"Nutritionist" is not defined in 32 M.R.S. §9902 (Definitions) and does not appear in §9915 (Persons and practices exempt), which lists exemptions for general nutrition educators, government nutrition-program employees, food marketers, and weight-control service providers without ever naming a "nutritionist" credential. Only "licensed dietitian" and "licensed dietetic technician" are protected titles — "nutritionist" is an unregulated title in Maine.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Maine require a dietitian license?
Yes. Maine licenses dietitians through the Maine Board of Licensing of Dietetic Practice. The protected titles are Licensed Dietitian, Licensed Dietetic Technician.
How much does a dietitian license cost in Maine?
The application/initial license fee is $150, with a $150 renewal fee every 1 year (expires December 31 each year).
Is the title "nutritionist" protected in Maine?
"Nutritionist" is not defined in 32 M.R.S. §9902 (Definitions) and does not appear in §9915 (Persons and practices exempt), which lists exemptions for general nutrition educators, government nutrition-program employees, food marketers, and weight-control service providers without ever naming a "nutritionist" credential. Only "licensed dietitian" and "licensed dietetic technician" are protected titles — "nutritionist" is an unregulated title in Maine.
Can I get a Maine dietitian license by endorsement if I'm already a CDR-registered RD?
32 M.R.S. §9907-A directs the board to establish a license-by-endorsement process, and §9912 (Reciprocity) allows the board to license applicants already licensed in another state if that state's standards are equivalent to or greater than Maine's, without imposing more stringent requirements on out-of-state applicants than on in-state ones.
Sources
- Maine Board of Licensing of Dietetic Practice — program overview
- Maine OPOR — Dietitian, Dietetic Technician licensing page (fees, CE hours)
- Maine Board of Licensing of Dietetic Practice — Laws & Rules
- 32 M.R.S. §9902 — Definitions
- 32 M.R.S. §9907 — Qualifications
- 32 M.R.S. §9907-A — Licensure by endorsement
- 32 M.R.S. §9911 — Fees
- 32 M.R.S. §9912 — Reciprocity
- 32 M.R.S. §9915 — Persons and practices exempt
Data last verified: 2026-07-22 | Source: Maine Board of Licensing of Dietetic Practice — program overview