Educated in USA

This information is intended for individuals who have graduated or are about to graduate from academic and practical training programs in dietetics which have been accredited by the Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics (ACEND), where the accreditation award entitles the graduates of the ACEND program to sit for the licensure examination in the United States (US). This includes:

  • A coordinated program, based in the United States (US)
  • A didactic program and a dietetic internship program, based in the US or Puerto Rico
  • A coordinated program based outside the US with IDE accreditation status
  • A Future Education Model Graduate Program, based in the US

Go to internationally-educated applicants if you:

  • Have completed a degree or a practicum in the US, that is not accredited by ACEND;
  • Completed a degree outside of the US which FDE ACEND accredited status; or
  • Are registered with the Commission on Dietetic Registration (CDR) in the US, but your education and training were not accredited by ACEND.
Go to Dietitians from Another Province if you were educated in the US, but are currently registered as a dietitian in another Canadian province.
 

Getting Started

The College sends all communications by email, many of which are automated. Before you begin your application with the College there are two important steps you must take:
  1. Add the College’s domain (@collegeofdietitians.org) to your email service’s safe senders list.
  2. Make sure your email provider doesn't block any automated College emails or send them to your junk/spam/promotions folder versus your inbox.
Review the information below about the registration requirements and required documents to ensure that your application is complete and you have arranged for all documents to be sent to the College.
 
The College operates a primarily paperless organization. Please send all documents electronically to registration@collegeofdietitians.org​.

For any questions, please email registration@collegeofdietitians.org​

Response Timelines: Registration staff will respond to your inquiry (received by email or phone) within five (5) business days. We appreciate your patience.
 

Registration Program staff are available to answer questions about the application process and required documents, however registration decisions are made by the Registrar and/or the Registration Committee. Registration Program staff cannot tell you whether or not you meet the requirements or predict whether you will be eligible for registration with the College.

Application Form

  • The Application Form must be sent by email (PDF format preferred) to: registration@collegeofdietitians.org;
  • Review your application form to make sure you have completed, signed, and dated All sections of the form.
  • If any section of your application form is incomplete, you will be required to submit a new form.
  • All applications are processed in the order in which they are received.

Official Transcripts

You must arrange for official transcripts to be sent electronically to the College for each post-secondary degree that you have completed.

This includes transcripts related to:

  • Your accredited dietetics degree;
  • Any other degrees you have completed.

If the transcript related to a degree does not state that the degree was conferred or awarded, you must arrange for the University to provide an official letter confirming that all degree requirements have been met.

All transcripts and letters must be sent directly from the University to College at: registration@collegeofdietitians.org​.

ACEND Verification Statement

In addition to your transcripts, you must also arrange for your university to send an ACEND verification statement form, to confirm that you have completed a didactic program in dietetics (DPD), or a coordinated program in dietetics (CP). Please request ACEND verification statement to be sent directly to registration@collegeofdietitians.org​.

Proof of Accredited Practical Training

If you did not complete a coordinated program in dietetics (CP), you must arrange for your educational institution to send an ACEND verification statement directly to the College, confirming that you have successfully completed a dietetic internship (DI) or practicum program in USA. Please request ACEND verification statement to be sent directly to registration@collegeofdietitians.org​.

Name Change Information

If your official transcripts are under a different name than the one you are currently using, you must enclose proof of your change in name with this application (e.g., document showing your old name (i.e., marriage certificate) and a government issued ID showing your current name (i.e., driver’s license, passport). You may email proof of name change documentation (PDF format preferred) to: registration@collegeofdietitians.org​.

Proof of Authorization to Work in Canada

Authorization to work in Canada is one of the College's non-exemptible requirements for registration with the College. You must provide proof of authorization to work in Canada which permits you to practise dietetics in Canada. You may email proof of authorization to work in Canada (PDF format preferred) to: registration@collegeofdietitians.org​.

You are a Canadian Citizen

Provide proof by submitting a copy of one of the following documents:

  • Canadian Birth Certificate;
  • Canadian Passport;
  • Canadian Citizenship Certificate or Card; or
  • Indian Status and Identification Card.
You are a Permanent Resident of Canada

Provide proof by submitting a copy of your Permanent Resident Card.

You have a Valid Work or Study Permit 

Your work or study permit authorizes you to practise dietetics in Canada. Provide proof by submitting a copy of your Work Permit.

You Don’t Have a Work Permit yet?

You can request a formal letter from the College to confirm that you have met all the other registration requirements, but will not be eligible for registration until you provide formal proof of authorization to work in Canada.

Once the College has received all of the required documents, your application will be assessed to determine whether you meet the requirements for registration.  See Registration Requirements for detailed information about each of the requirements. 

Email your completed application form and all supporting documents to registration@collegeofdietitians.org.

Your application ID and temporary password

When your application is received, the College will send a confirmation email which will include your application ID, temporary password, and instructions on how to pay all required fees.

Monitor the progress of your application online

Use your ID and password to access the CDO Applicant dashboard to monitor the progress of your application. On the dashboard, you will see:

  • the status of your application;
  • a list indicating which documents have been received; and
  • a list showing which documents are still outstanding to complete your application.

When we have received all required documents and fees, we will proceed with the review of your application.

Your application status and documents received are updated every busniess day.

Completing the registration process can take up to 10 business days from the time that the College receives all of the required documents, but this is a guideline only. It is the applicant’s responsibility to ensure the timely delivery of all documentation and other information requested by the College.

Answering “yes” to certain questions on the declaration means the College may require additional information to support your application. This information will be reviewed by the College’s Registrar and, in some cases will be referred to the Registration Committee, which will extend the time it takes to process your application.  

Factors that may delay the processing of your application include:

  • Failing to complete and sign all sections of the application form;
  • Failing to arrange for official transcripts, ACEND verification statements, and letters confirming the completion of your internship or practical training; 
  • Information about your conduct or health that may require further review and follow-up;
  • Failing to produce other documents requested by the College.

The CDRE is a non-exemptible requirement for a General Certificate of Registration. If you wish to begin practising dietetics while you await to write or receive your results of the CDRE, you have the option of applying for a Temporary Certificate of Registration. See Temporay Class for more information.

To be eligible to write the CDRE, you must be assessed by the College to have met the education and practical training requirements. Click here for more information about the CDRE.  

Only members of the College can practise as a dietitian in Ontario using the titles “dietitian,” “Registered dietitian (RD),” “Dietetiste (Dt.P),” or “Dietetiste Professional (Dt.P).”

It is illegal for anyone to use any of these titles in Ontario without a valid certificate of registration issued by the College.

Your status as an RD informs the public that all individuals who identify themselves as dietitians have the knowledge, skill and judgment required to provide safe and ethical dietetics services.