Board Certified Specialist in Digestive Health Eligibility Requirements and Application

To become a Board Certified Specialist in Digestive Health, you must meet the following minimum eligibility criteria:

• Current Registered Dietitian (RD) status with CDR.
• Maintenance of RD status with CDR for a minimum of 2 years from the original examination date (by the time of the specialty examination date).
• For initial certification or recertification: Documentation of 2,000 hours of practice experience as an RD in the specialty area within the past five years.

When applying, please note: 

• The five-year mark is a threshold and not a requirement.  You only need to document as far back as it took to earn the required 2,000 hours, not to exceed five years from the date the application is submitted.  
• Applicants are not required to maintain or submit a log, spreadsheet, or other detailed record of specialty practice hours.  As part of the application process, applicants will provide:
  • The dates during which the specialty practice hours were earned;
  • The corresponding number of specialty practice hours completed; and
  • A description of specialty-related responsibilities.  
•   This information must be electronically verified by a current or former employer through the online application system.  Alternative verification options exist for consultants or those in private practice.

Applicants are encouraged to review the online application early in the process, as it includes the forms and fields used to document and verify specialty practice experience.

Apply Now: If you meet the eligibility requirements above, access the online application by logging into your MyCDR account and clicking on "Specialist Certification."