Canadian Dietitian & Nutritionist Licensing

There are three steps to becoming a nutritionist or dietitian in Canada. These consist of the following:

1. Completion of an accredited four-year degree program in foods and nutrition, dietetics or a closely related field from a Dietitians of Canada (DC) accredited degree program, as well as by the local specific provincial college of dietitians body. Those who may choose a program that is not listed under the DC list of accredited schools should contact the DC to request an assessment of the curriculum to determine the equivalency for the program they will be completing.
2. The following step requires an internship utilizing the knowledge and skills developed during study. Internships are done in hospitals, long-term care facilities, health clinics, and food industry organizations. Accredited by Dietitians of Canada, programs are typically 40 weeks long, under supervision of a nutrition or dietetics professional. Dietetic internships are generally an excellent way to introduce new graduates into the work force.
3. The last step is to register with the proper regulatory body in the province where the graduate will practice. For most provinces, this requires the graduate to successfully pass the Canadian Dietetic Registration Examination (CDRE).

A list of provincial regulatory bodies (College or Association) is available below. All applicants should check with the regulatory body in their area to find out if there are any specific requirements that must be addressed before choosing a degree program:

• College of Dietitians of Alberta
• College of Dietitians of British Columbia
• College of Dietitians of Manitoba
• New Brunswick Association of Dietitians
• Newfoundland and Labrador College of Dietitians (NLCD)
• Nova Scotia Dietetic Association
• College of Dietitians of Ontario
• Ordre professionnel des diététistes du Québec
• Saskatchewan Dietitians Association
• PEI Dietitians Registration Board

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