Educated in USA

The following is a list of the documents that are required with your application form. Some documents, like transcripts, must be sent directly to the College by a third party. Make sure you plan for these documents to prevent any delays at the end of the application process.

NOTE: During the COVID-19 pandemic, all College staff are working remotely until further notice. You may email your completed application form and proof of authorization to work in Canada directly to: registration@collegeofdietitians.org

Please request institutions to send all other documentation such as transcripts, practicum completion letters, language proficiency test results, etc. directly to the College at: registration@collegeofdietitians.org

Any mailed documentation must be sent via regular mail (not registered mail). All mail will be routed by Canada Post to an alternate address. DO NOT deliver any documentation to the College office by hand or by courier service, as no one is there to receive it.

Important Note:

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

Please note the following important information about submitting your Application Form:

• The Application Form may be sent by email to: registration@collegeofdietitians.org;
• Review your form to make sure you have completed and signed 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 directly to the College from each post-secondary institution that you have attended.

This includes transcripts related to:

• Your accredited dietetics degree
• Any other degrees
• Any other post-secondary institutions you have attended
• Courses completed through a CEGEP program in Quebec

Important Information about transcripts

• You can submit official transcripts that have been provided to you by your university if the transcripts are provided unopened with a university seal on the envelope.
• The College accepts electronic transcripts delivered through a secured university site and/or directly from universities via password-protected or secured PDF files.
• Please request transcripts to be sent directly to registration@collegeofdietitians.org​.
• 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. This letter must also be sent directly to the College from the University to 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 to: registration@collegeofdietitians.org​.

Proof of Authorization to Work in Canada

Authorization to work in Canada is one of the 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 to: registration@collegeofdietitians.org​.

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

• Canadian Birth Certificate
• Canadian Passport
• Canadian Citizenship Certificate or Card

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

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

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. 

Once your application form is complete, email it along with any supporting documents to registration@collegeofdietitians.org. Once your application form is received you will be instructed on how to pay all required fees.

NOTE: During the COVID-19 pandemic, all College staff are working remotely until further notice. You may email your completed application form and proof of authorization to work in Canada directly to: registration@collegeofdietitians.org

Please request institutions to send all other documentation such as transcripts, practicum completion letters, langugae proficiency test results, etc. directly to the College at: registration@collegeofdietitians.org

Any mailed documentation must be sent via regular mail (not registered mail). All mail will be routed by Canada Post to an alternate address. DO NOT deliver any documentation to the College office by hand or by courier service, as no one is there to receive it.

Your application ID and temporary password

When your application is received and we have opened your file, you will receive a confirmation email which will include your application ID and a temporary password.

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
• 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 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. This means that you must pass the CDRE in order to become eligible for registration. To be eligible to write the CDRE, you must be assessed by a provincial regulatory body 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 care.

If you wish to begin practicing dietetics while you wait for the result of the CDRE, you have the option of applying for a Temporary Certificate of Registration.  See Temporary Class for more information.