STUDENT INSTRUCTIONS — TIMELINES AND PROCEDURES FOR REGISTRATION ELIGIBILITY

At the conclusion of your supervised practice or didactic program, your program director will provide you with online and hard-copy forms that are to be completed and returned to them so they can initiate the eligibility application process with CDR.

• Verification Statements - You will receive five original Verification Statements (VS) upon completion of your program. These documents may be required by prospective employers, licensure boards and to the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics.
• RDE Misuse Policy
• DTRE Misuse Policy
• Name/Address Change Form

Because CDR is considered a primary source verification credentialing agency, all registration eligibility application documentation must be submitted by ACEND program directors who are able to verify your successful completion of all academic and supervised practice requirements. Once your academic or supervised practice program director has verified that you have completed all of the academic and supervised practice requirements for registration eligibility, they will submit your final transcript and ACEND program completion verification statement to CDR via the secure processing system, REPS. You will then receive an email requesting that you complete an online application form that includes verification of your legal name, current address and email. Please note, if the name on your valid, government-issued, photo ID does not match the name on CDR and Pearson VUE’s systems, you will be turned away from the testing center and lose your examination fee. Contact your program director if they have entered your name in REPS incorrectly.

Also, at this time, all candidates are required to read and agree to abide by the Code of Ethics for the Profession of Dietetics prior to and after achieving registered status. This attestation will only be asked at this time, so it is imperative that you respond. Until you have completed this step, you will NOT be processed for registration eligibility, nor will you be able to schedule your examination. 

If you have questions about your application status, please contact your program director. Other inquiries related to registration eligibility can be emailed to cdrexams@eatright.org

The normal processing time for a candidate submission is a week. Once your application has been approved, you will receive an email confirming your registration eligibility from CDR and an Authorization to Test email from CDR’s testing vendor Pearson VUE within 48 hours. The Authorization to Test email, which expires one year from the date of issuance, includes a link to the Handbook for Candidates—for RDs and for DTRs—with information on setting up an account on Pearson VUE’s website.

Eligibility Application and Examination Infographic 

Eligibility Application Processing Timeline

Information for Newly Credentialed Practitioners

DTR Credential Option—Bachelor's Degree & DPD