Professional License or Certification Educational Requirements
Sonoran University’s Master of Science in Clinical Nutrition (MSCN) and Master of Science in Applied Clinical Nutrition (MSACN) programs have been designed to prepare students for certification as a Certified Nutrition Specialist® (CNS). The CNS credential provides a pathway for licensure in dietetics and nutrition in some states*.
Completing Sonoran University’s MSCN program ensures students meet:
Completing Sonoran University’s MSACN program ensure students meet:
* Please be advised that additional requirements may be needed to acquire state licensure in dietetics and nutrition. Students are encouraged to review specific regulations of their state Licensing Board or Department for more information. Links have been provided in the table below.
Important: The disclosure below represents Sonoran University’s good faith determination of whether (1) the MSCN and MSACN programs meet the educational requirements for state licensure and (2) licensure is required to practice nutrition in the state. Please note, Sonoran University cannot guarantee licensure eligibility for individual candidates. Additionally, licensure regulations are subject to frequent change. It is the responsibility of each student/candidate to contact the licensing board in the state where they intend to practice to obtain the most up-to-date information and confirm current eligibility requirements.
US State or Territory |
Name & URL of State Licensing Board or Department |
Meets Educational Requirements of National Credentialing requirements for the CNS® |
Meets Educational Requirements for State Licensing |
Is licensure required to practice nutrition? |
Pathway to State Licensure/Certification |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | Yes | Yes | Yes | CDR/RD exam and supervised experience hours | |
| Alaska | Yes | Yes | No, title protection only | For Licensed Nutritionist: CNS credential For Licensed Dietitian: RD credential | |
| Arizona | Arizona | Yes | N/A | N/A | Arizona does not currently have a licensing board. However, Senate Bill (SB) 1135 is proposed and will include a pathway to licensure for a CNS with creation of a board. |
| Arkansas | Yes | Yes | No | CDR/RD exam and supervised experience hours | |
| California | Yes | Yes, meets state statute in place for title protection | No* *For Medical Nutrition Therapy (MNT), a referral from an HCP is required. | California does not currently have a licensing board. However, their state statute has title protection without certification or licensing and is pursuing potential licensing. | |
| Colorado | House Bill (HB) 25-1220 Colorado does not currently have a licensing board. However, HB 25-1220 is proposed for a vote in 2025 and will include a pathway to licensure for a CNS with creation of a board. | Yes | N/A | No | Colorado does not currently have a licensing board. However, HB 25-1220 was proposed for a vote in 2025 and vetoed. |
| Connecticut | Yes | Yes | No, title protection only | CDR/RD exam and supervised experience hours or CNS exam and supervised practice experience hours | |
| Delaware | Yes | Yes | Yes | CDR/RD exam and supervised experience hours or CNS exam and supervised practice experience hours or Licensing by reciprocity | |
| District of Columbia | Yes | Yes | Yes | For Licensed Nutritionist: CNS credential For Licensed Dietitian: RD credential | |
| Florida | Yes | Yes | Yes | CDR/RD exam and supervised experience hours* or CNS exam and supervised practice experience hours* *Must include 200 hours of community nutrition | |
| Georgia | HB 185 is proposed and will create a pathway to licensure for a CNS. | Yes | Yes, with a Master’s degree | Yes or A Master’s degree or higher in nutrition | CDR/RD exam and supervised experience hours or Licensing by endorsement HB 185 is proposed and will create a pathway to licensure for a CNS. |
| Guam | Yes | Yes | Yes | CDR/RD exam and supervised experience hours or CNS exam and supervised practice experience hours | |
| Hawaii | Yes | Yes | No | CDR/RD exam and supervised experience hours | |
| Idaho | Yes | No, ACEND accredited programs only | No, Title protection only | CDR/RD exam and supervised experience hours or Licensing by endorsement | |
| Illinois | Yes | Yes | Yes | CDR/RD exam and supervised experience hours or CNS exam and supervised practice experience hours or Licensing by endorsement | |
| Indiana | Yes | Yes | No | CDR/RD exam and supervised experience hours or Licensing by reciprocity | |
| Iowa | Yes | No, ACEND accredited programs only | Yes | CDR/RD exam and supervised experience hours | |
| Kansas | Yes | No, ACEND accredited programs only | Yes | CDR/RD exam and supervised experience hours | |
| Kentucky | Yes | Yes | Yes | CDR/RD exam and supervised experience hours or CNS exam and supervised practice experience hours | |
| Louisiana | Yes | Yes | No | CDR/RD exam and supervised experience hours or Provisional licensing | |
| Maine | Yes | Yes | No | CDR/RD exam and supervised experience hours | |
| Maryland | Yes | Yes | Yes | CDR/RD exam and supervised experience hours or CNS exam and supervised practice experience hours or Licensing by endorsement | |
| Massachusetts | See HD 2620 | Yes | No, additional credits required | No, title protection only | CDR/RD exam and supervised experience hours or CNS exam and supervised practice experience hours See HD 2620 |
| Michigan | Board to be established | Yes | No, ACEND accredited programs only | Yes, for MNT only effective 10/2025 | CDR/RD exam and supervised experience hours |
| Minnesota | Yes | Yes | Yes | CDR/RD exam and supervised experience hours or CNS exam and supervised practice experience hours | |
| Mississippi | Yes | Yes | Yes | CDR/RD Exam and supervised experience hours or CNS can practice all but MNT with disclosures. | |
| Missouri | Yes | No, ACEND accredited programs only | Yes | CDR/RD exam and supervised experience hours or CNS can practice all but MNT with disclosures. | |
| Montana | See HB 185 |
Yes | No, requires additional anatomy and physiology | Yes, once licensure is established | CDR/RD exam and supervised experience hours or CNS exam and supervised practice experience hours once licensure is established |
| Nebraska | Yes | Yes | Yes, for MNT, once issuance of license is established | CDR/RD exam and supervised experience hours or CNS exam and supervised practice experience hours | |
| Nevada | Yes | Yes | No | CDR/RD exam and supervised experience hours | |
| New Hampshire | Yes | Yes | No, title protection only | CDR/RD exam and supervised experience hours | |
| New Jersey | Yes | Yes | Yes, but is pending legislation | CDR/RD exam and supervised experience hours or CNS exam and supervised practice experience hours | |
| New Mexico | See HB 204 | Yes | Yes | Yes | CDR/RD exam and supervised experience hours or Exam approved by the Board for LN |
| New York | Yes | No, requires 45 semester credit hours with 20 in the sciences * Bill proposed for changes | No | CDR/RD exam and supervised experience hours or CNS exam and supervised practice experience hours | |
| North Carolina | Yes | No | Yes, for MNT | CDR/RD exam and supervised experience hours or CNS exam and supervised practice experience hours | |
| North Dakota | Yes | Yes | Yes | CDR/RD exam and supervised experience hours or CNS exam and supervised practice experience hours | |
| Ohio | Yes | No, ACEND accredited programs only | Yes | CDR/RD exam and supervised experience hours or Meets through reciprocity from another state or Holds doctoral degree | |
| Oklahoma | Yes | No, ACEND accredited programs only | No | CDR/RD exam and supervised experience hours | |
| Oregon | See SB 1174 | Yes | No, ACEND accredited programs only | No | CDR/RD exam and supervised experience hours or Reciprocity with licensing from another state |
| Pennsylvania | Yes | Yes | No, title protection only | CDR/RD exam and supervised experience hours or CNS exam and supervised practice experience hours or Reciprocity with licensing from another state | |
| Puerto Rico | Yes | Yes | Yes | CDR/RD exam and supervised experience hours or Local licensing exam | |
| Rhode Island | Yes | Yes | No | CDR/RD exam and supervised experience hours | |
| South Carolina | Yes | Yes | No | CDR/RD exam and supervised experience hours or Exam approved by the Board | |
| South Dakota | Yes | Yes | Yes | CDR/RD exam and supervised experience hours or Waiver of exam with 1 year of practicing in good standing or Reciprocity with licensing from another state | |
| Tennessee | Yes | No | Yes | CDR/RD exam and supervised experience hours | |
| Texas | Yes | Yes | No | CDR/RD exam and supervised experience hours | |
| Utah | Yes | Yes | No | CDR/RD exam and supervised experience hours or through reciprocity (must have license in another state for 1 year) | |
| Vermont | Yes | No, degree is to be in dietetics. | No | CDR/RD exam and supervised experience hours | |
| Virginia | Yes | N/A | No | Licensing is not available | |
| Washington | Yes | Yes | No, title protection only | CDR/RD exam and supervised experience hours or CNS exam and supervised practice experience hours | |
| West Virginia | Yes | Yes | No | CDR/RD exam and supervised experience hours or Telehealth licensing | |
| Wisconsin | Yes | Yes | No | CDR/RD exam and supervised experience hours | |
| Wyoming | Yes | Yes | No | CDR/RD exam and supervised experience hours or Other exam approved by the Board |