Category A applicants are Registered Dietitians who are currently registered with the Commission on Dietetic Registration (CDR), OR are already provisionally licensed as a PLDN and are seeking to convert a Category B Provisional license to Category A. All out of state applicants who are Registered Dietitians should apply under Category A, not Reciprocity via Category D. The fee for an initial Category A license is $248 ($60 non-refundable application fee + $150 issuance fee + $38 criminal background check fee).

Category B LDN applicants have completed an ACEND-accredited academic program, an ACEND-accredited supervised practice program, and have received an “Eligibility to Test" email from the Commission on Dietetic Registration (CDR). Applicants for a Category B (PLDN license) have not yet taken the CDR exam, but do need to provide a Didactic Program Verification Statement, a Supervised Internship Verification Statement (or a Coordinated Program Verification Statement, if applicable), a Supervisor Verification Statement (Form B-2), a copy of their unofficial transcripts, copy of photo ID, as well as a copy of their CDR Eligibility to Test email. The fee for an initial Category B PLDN license is $133 ($60 non-refundable application fee + $35 issuance fee + $38 criminal background check fee). Once licensed, provisional licensees then have 12 months to pass the CDR exam in order to be eligible to upgrade to a Category A license for the balance of the issuance fee, which is $115. Provisional LDN (PLDN) licenses expire after one (1) year.

Category C applicants hold a baccalaureate or higher degree from a regionally accredited college or university with a major course of study in an area of nutrition described in North Carolina Gen. Stat. § 90-357.5(1)(a). Regardless of the course of study, one’s program must meet the competency requirements of an ACEND-accredited didactic program in dietetics. Category C applicants must also complete a supervised practice experience that meets the competency requirements of an ACEND accredited, supervised practice experience, and is not less than 1,000 hours under the supervision of a professional defined in N.C.G.S. § 90-357.5(1)(b). Upon completion of the academic and supervised practice requirements, Category C applicants must successfully complete the registration examination for dietitian nutritionists administered by the Commission on Dietetic Registration. Successful Category C applicants are granted the LDN (Licensed Dietitian/Nutritionist) credential. Please contact the NCBDN if interested in a Category C license.

Category D applicants are currently licensed by another state, are seeking licensure by reciprocity and have qualifications that do not otherwise fit into another Category listed on this page. Only states with equivalent licensing requirements, as determined by the Board, will be considered. Registered Dietitian/Nutritionists should apply under Category A. Certified Nutrition Specialists should apply under Category F. Please contact the NCBDN if interested in a Category D license.

Category F, LN applicants have completed a master's or doctoral degree in nutrition or a master's or doctoral degree in a field of clinical health care, at a regionally accredited institution that meets the minimum course requirements defined in N.C.G.S. § 90-357.5(c)(1); a Board approved 1000-hour supervised practice program that meets the statutory minimum competency requirements defined in N.C.G.S. § 90-357.5(c)(2) under the supervision of a professional provided in this section; and passed either the Certified Nutrition Specialist (CNS) exam, or Diplomate of the American Clinical Board of Nutrition (DACBN) exam. Applicants for a Category F LN license will need to provide the following documents: Official transcripts from all coursework granting institutions, copy of a government-issued photo ID, Form A-3 Supervised Practice Experience Candidate Report (which must include a tracking report documenting supervised hours, such as Form A-7), Form A-4 Supervisor Approval Application (s) for each supervisor named on A-3, Form A-5 Supervised Practice Experience Supervisor's Report (s) for each supervisor named on A-3, and Form A-6 Coursework Worksheet. The fee for an initial Category F license is $248 ($60 non-refundable application fee + $150 issuance fee + $38 criminal background check fee).

Category G, (Provisional LN) applicants have completed a master's or doctoral degree in nutrition or a master's or doctoral degree in a field of clinical health care, at a regionally accredited institution, that meets the minimum course requirements defined in North Carolina Gen. Stat. § 90-357.5(c)(1 ); a Board approved 1000-hour supervised practice program that meets the statutory minimum competency requirements defined in North Carolina Gen. Stat. § 90-357.(c)(2) under the supervision of a professional provided in this section; and has made application to the Board for Certified Nutrition Specialists to take the CNS exam, or have made application to the American Clinical Board of Nutrition to take the Diplomate of the American Clinical Board of Nutrition exam. Applicants for a Category G (PLN license) have not yet taken the exam(s) noted above, but will need to provide the following documents to support this application: Official transcripts from all coursework granting institutions, copy of a government issued photo ID, Form A-3 Supervised Practice Experience Candidate Report and a detailed tracking log such as Form A-7, Form A-4 Supervisor Approval Application(s) for each supervisor named on A3, Form A-5 Supervised Practice Experience Supervisor's Report(s) for each supervisor named on A3, Form A-6 Coursework Worksheet, and (Form B-2), the Supervisor Verification Statement. All forms are available on our website under "Forms & Resources." The fee for an initial Category G PLN license is $133 ($60 non-refundable application fee + S35 issuance fee + $38 criminal background check fee). Once licensed, provisional (PLN) licensees then have 12 months to pass the CNS or DACBN exam to be eligible to upgrade to a full Category F (LN) license for the balance of the issuance fee, which is $115. Provisional LN (PLN) licenses expire one (1) year from issuance.