Massachusetts 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 →
Massachusetts licenses the Licensed Dietitian/Nutritionist (LDN) credential under M.G.L. c.112 §§201–210, administered by the Board of Registration of Dietitians and Nutritionists (within the Department of Public Health's Bureau of Health Professions Licensure). Massachusetts uses a single, unified license: the statute treats "licensed dietitian" and "licensed nutritionist" as interchangeable labels for the same LDN credential rather than as two separate license types.
Massachusetts Dietitian License Requirements
| Licensing Authority | Massachusetts Board of Registration of Dietitians and Nutritionists |
| Protected Title | Licensed Dietitian/Nutritionist (LDN) |
| Education | Bachelor's degree or higher with a major in dietetics/nutrition, human nutrition, nutrition education, or public health nutrition, from a regionally accredited institution (or a bachelor's degree plus sufficient qualifying nutrition coursework). — 900 supervised-practice hours |
| Exam | Licensing examination administered under Board rules (in practice, the CDR Registration Examination for Dietitians or the Certified Nutrition Specialist exam) (Commission on Dietetic Registration (CDR) / Board for Certification of Nutrition Specialists (BCNS)) |
| Continuing Education | Not required |
Fee Breakdown
| Renewal Fee (every 2 years) | $130 |
Related & additional fees
Separate or situational costs — not part of the standard initial application.
| Late renewal penalty (after birthday deadline) | $57 |
| Certified statement of registration | $15 |
| Duplicate license | $17 |
| Name change | $27 |
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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M.G.L. c.112 §201 defines the licensed credential as "licensed dietitian/nutritionist," explicitly noting that "licensed dietitian" and "licensed nutritionist" may be used interchangeably — there is one LDN license, not separate dietitian and nutritionist license categories.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Massachusetts require a dietitian license?
Yes. Massachusetts licenses dietitians through the Massachusetts Board of Registration of Dietitians and Nutritionists. The protected title is Licensed Dietitian/Nutritionist (LDN).
Is the title "nutritionist" protected in Massachusetts?
M.G.L. c.112 §201 defines the licensed credential as "licensed dietitian/nutritionist," explicitly noting that "licensed dietitian" and "licensed nutritionist" may be used interchangeably — there is one LDN license, not separate dietitian and nutritionist license categories.
Sources
- M.G.L. c.112 §201 — Definitions (Dietitians/Nutritionists)
- M.G.L. c.112 §203 — Application for Original License, Renewal or Examination; Educational and Professional Experience Requirements
- Mass. Division of Professional Licensure — Dietitians/Nutritionists fee & renewal schedule
- Mass.gov — Board of Registration of Dietitians and Nutritionists (org page)
Data last verified: 2026-07-22 | Source: M.G.L. c.112 §201 — Definitions (Dietitians/Nutritionists)