Registered Dietitian (RD) Exam Practice Test

To be eligible, you must have completed a minimum of a bachelor's degree from a regionally accredited institution, completed an Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics (ACEND)-accredited Didactic Program in Dietetics (DPD), and an ACEND-accredited supervised practice program (e.g., Dietetic Internship, Individualized Supervised Practice Pathway). You must also obtain a Verification Statement from your DPD program director. All requirements must be met before submitting an application to CDR for examination eligibility.

The RD Exam is a computer-adaptive test (CAT) with 125-145 scored questions and 25 unscored pilot questions, administered over 2.5 hours. Content is derived from the CDR's Detailed Content Outline and is weighted across four domains: Principles of Dietetics (25%), Nutrition Care for Individuals and Groups (40%), Management of Food and Nutrition Programs and Services (21%), and Foodservice Systems (14%). Questions assess knowledge, comprehension, application, and analysis through multiple-choice, drag-and-drop, and scenario-based formats.

The exam uses a scaled scoring system ranging from 1 to 50. The passing score is a scaled score of 25, which represents a minimum level of competency as determined by CDR through standard-setting procedures. This is not a percentage. You receive a preliminary pass/fail result at the test center, followed by an official score report from CDR within a few business days. The computer-adaptive nature means the difficulty of questions adjusts based on your performance.

CDR provides the official 'Registration Examination for Dietitians Handbook for Candidates' and the 'Detailed Content Outline,' which are essential starting points. Comprehensive review courses, study guides from reputable publishers, and practice question banks that align with the current test blueprint are highly recommended. Consistently reviewing materials from your DPD and supervised practice, along with current evidence-based guidelines (e.g., Nutrition Care Process, Medical Nutrition Therapy protocols), is crucial for success.

Upon passing, you will be credentialed as a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist (RDN) by the Commission on Dietetic Registration. You must then maintain your credential through the completion of 75 hours of continuing professional education (CPE) every five-year cycle. You should also apply for state licensure/certification if required in your state of practice. Passing the exam qualifies you for professional membership in the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics and opens the door to specialty certifications.