Academic Requirements

• Maryland requires its Registered Dietitian candidates to complete a four-year degree from an accredited institution in a nutrition-related field, such as nutrition, food service or management. Maryland requires 24 semester hours of related course work, including at least three hours of upper division nutrition coursework related to disease, three hours of upper-division coursework in food service management, three hours of biochemistry or physiological chemistry, and three hours of food science.
  
  

Internship

• Candidates must complete an internship in the field working with clients under the supervision of a master's or PhD level registered dietitian. Alternatively, candidates can substitute a period of actual work experience in the field, provided the experience has been approved by the American Dietetic Association. The total requirement prior to registration is approximately 900 hours of practicum.
  
  

Testing

• Prior to certification, candidates must successfully pass a national certification exam. The Registration Exam for Dietitians tests overall knowledge of nutritional principles, research, best practices and the administrative requirements associated with practicing the profession. As of late 2010, there was a $200 registration fee to take the exam.
  
  

Licensing

• Fill out a licensing application from the Maryland State Dietetic Board, which you can download from the Resources section. You will need to provide your work and internship experience and provide three work related references. You must also attach proof of certification by the American Dietetics Association.