Licensing guide · Alberta

How to Become a Dietitian in Alberta

Last checked 5 sources checkedNOC 31121

Do you need a licence?

Licence required

You must be registered with the College of Dietitians of Alberta to work as a dietitian in Alberta or to use a protected title.

Protected titles
Not listed in the sources checked
Show the source
“Under Alberta’s Health Professions Act [pdf] and Registered Dietitians and Registered Nutritionists Profession Regulation [pdf], registration with the College of Dietitians of Alberta (CDA) is mandatory.”

From alis.alberta.ca/occinfo/certifications-in-alberta/dietitianregister..., checked October 10, 2026.

At a glance

Licence status
Licence required See the source
Routes
Annual fees
Not stated by the regulator Check with College of Dietitians of Alberta

Your roadmap

Every route is listed. Follow the one that matches where you trained.

Trained in Canada

  • 3 steps without a listed fee

  1. The applicant completes an online application for registration to the General Register with the College.

    Source
    “To be eligible for registration, the applicant must first complete an Online Application for Registration to the General Register.”
    collegeofdietitians.ab.ca/applicants/applications/registered-elsewh...

  2. The applicant provides the application documentation required for a complete application.

    Source
    “In addition to the online application form, applicants will be required to provide application documentation.”
    collegeofdietitians.ab.ca/applicants/applications/registered-elsewh...

  3. The applicant successfully completes the Canadian Dietetic Registration Examination.

    Source
    “Successful completion of the Canadian Dietetic Registration Examination (CDRE)”
    alis.alberta.ca/occinfo/certifications-in-alberta/dietitianregister...

Listed fees for this route

No one-time fees listed by the regulator for these steps Check with College of Dietitians of Alberta

3 steps without a listed fee, so the total may not be the full cost.

Official page for this route

Licensed in another province

  • 3 steps without a listed fee

  1. The applicant completes an online application for registration to the General Register (or Temporary Register if applicable).

    Source
    “To be eligible for registration, the applicant must first complete an Online Application for Registration to the General Register.”
    collegeofdietitians.ab.ca/applicants/applications/registered-elsewh...

  2. The applicant provides the application documentation required for a complete application.

    Source
    “In addition to the online application form, applicants will be required to provide application documentation.”
    collegeofdietitians.ab.ca/applicants/applications/registered-elsewh...

  3. Once all required documentation has been submitted, the applicant is eligible for registration, typically within 1-3 business days.

    Source
    “Once an applicant has submitted all required documentation, the applicant is eligible for registration with the College. This process can typically be completed within 1-3 business days upon receipt of all required documentation.”
    collegeofdietitians.ab.ca/applicants/applications/registered-elsewh...

Listed fees for this route

No one-time fees listed by the regulator for these steps Check with College of Dietitians of Alberta

3 steps without a listed fee, so the total may not be the full cost.

Official page for this route

Trained outside Canada

  • 2 fees depend on your situation and are not in the total
  • 3 steps without a listed fee

  1. The applicant uses the online self-assessment tool to decide if they are ready to apply for an eligibility assessment.

    Source
    “Our online self-assessment tool can help you decide if you are ready to apply to the College for an eligibility assessment.”
    collegeofdietitians.ab.ca/applicants/applications/internationally-e...

  2. The applicant applies for an eligibility assessment and submits all required documentation, including proof of English language proficiency.

    Source
    “If you are ready to apply to the College of Dietitians of Alberta for an eligibility assessment for registration, APPLY NOW!”
    collegeofdietitians.ab.ca/applicants/applications/internationally-e...

  3. The College reviews and assesses all submitted documentation against the Integrated Competencies for Dietetic Education and Practice to identify gaps in dietetic knowledge.

    Source
    “Credential Document Assessment: The College will complete a review and assessment of all documentation submitted.”
    collegeofdietitians.ab.ca/applicants/applications/internationally-e...

  4. The applicant completes a virtual assessment at the University of Alberta consisting of a Foundational Knowledge Examination, a Practice Competency Examination, and Multiple Mini Interviews.

    Source
    “College Competency Assessment: This is an assessment for registration conducted virtually at the University of Alberta.”
    collegeofdietitians.ab.ca/applicants/applications/internationally-e...

  5. Following review of documentation and assessment results, the College sends a letter outlining the requirements for registration.

    Source
    “Following the Registration Committee’s review of all application documentation and assessment results, the College will send a letter outlining the requirements for registration (registration decision).”
    collegeofdietitians.ab.ca/applicants/applications/internationally-e...

Listed fees for this route

2 fees depend on your situation and are not in the total.

3 steps without a listed fee, so the total may not be the full cost.

Official page for this route

Requirements

Conditions the regulator sets on top of the roadmap steps.

Education

  • Applicants must have completed a Bachelor of Science degree with a focus in Foods and Nutrition from an accredited Canadian University or an equivalent assessed as substantially equivalent.

    Source
    “Applicants must have completed a Bachelor of Science degree with a focus in Foods and Nutrition from an accredited Canadian University (or equivalent).”
    collegeofdietitians.ab.ca/applicants/requirements-for-registration

Experience

  • Applicants must have completed a dietetic internship from an accredited Canadian internship program or an equivalent assessed as substantially equivalent.

    Source
    “Applicants must have completed a dietetic internship from an accredited Canadian internship program (or equivalent).”
    collegeofdietitians.ab.ca/applicants/requirements-for-registration

Police check

Good character

  • Applicants must demonstrate good character and reputation through a declaration at the time of application.

    Source
    “Applicants must be able to demonstrate good character and reputation. This involves a declaration at the time of application and submission of a current Police Information Check.”
    collegeofdietitians.ab.ca/applicants/requirements-for-registration

Residency

Other

  • Applicants must have completed their academic and internship qualifications within three years prior to the date of application, or undergo assessment for upgrading.

    Source
    “Completion of academic and internship qualifications within three years prior to the date of application is required.”
    collegeofdietitians.ab.ca/applicants/requirements-for-registration

  • Applicants who cannot demonstrate English proficiency through their Canadian program or Canadian registration must provide evidence of English language proficiency through a language proficiency test.

    Source
    “Applicants who cannot demonstrate language proficiency through their Canadian dietetic program, or registration status with another Canadian dietetic regulatory body, must provide evidence of English language proficiency at a professional level through a language proficiency test.”
    collegeofdietitians.ab.ca/applicants/requirements-for-registration

Already licensed in another province?

Direct transfer

An applicant currently registered in good standing with another Canadian Dietetic Regulator can apply for registration through labour mobility without restrictions, limitations, or conditions, based on their current registration.

Source
“Any applicant who is currently registered in good standing with another Canadian Dietetic Regulator is eligible to apply for registration on the equivalent register with the College of Dietitians of Alberta through Labour Mobility.”
collegeofdietitians.ab.ca/applicants/applications/registered-elsewh...

  1. Complete online application

    Source
    “To be eligible for registration, the applicant must first complete an Online Application for Registration to the General Register.”
    collegeofdietitians.ab.ca/applicants/applications/registered-elsewh...

  2. Submit application documentation

    Source
    “In addition to the online application form, applicants will be required to provide application documentation.”
    collegeofdietitians.ab.ca/applicants/applications/registered-elsewh...

Processing time: Not stated by the regulator Check with College of Dietitians of Alberta

Check a move between two provinces

Credential assessment

  • Credential Document Assessment

    Review and assessment of all documentation submitted, cross-referenced to the Integrated Competencies for Dietetic Education and Practice to determine gaps in dietetic knowledge.

    Source
    “Credential Document Assessment: The College will complete a review and assessment of all documentation submitted.”
    collegeofdietitians.ab.ca/applicants/applications/internationally-e...

  • College Competency Assessment

    An assessment for registration conducted virtually at the University of Alberta, based on a Foundational Knowledge Examination, a Practice Competency Examination, and Multiple Mini Interviews.

    Source
    “College Competency Assessment: This is an assessment for registration conducted virtually at the University of Alberta.”
    collegeofdietitians.ab.ca/applicants/applications/internationally-e...

Exams

Language tests

No minimum test score stated by the regulator Check with College of Dietitians of Alberta

Exemptions: English proficiency can be demonstrated by completing a dietetics program from an institution in a country on the College approved list, by completing a Canadian accredited dietetics program, by holding current registration with a Canadian dietetic regulatory body, or by achieving required benchmark scores on an approved language proficiency test.

Source
“English proficiency can be demonstrated in two ways:”
collegeofdietitians.ab.ca/applicants/applications/internationally-e...

Compare scores across provinces and professions

Canadian experience

Not stated by the regulator Check with College of Dietitians of Alberta

Supervised practice

Not stated by the regulator Check with College of Dietitians of Alberta

Demand and pay

Job Bank figures for NOC 31121, Dietitians and nutritionists. Wages for 2023-2024 in Canadian dollars an hour; outlook for 2025-2027.

Job Bank wages and outlook in Alberta and Canada
WhereLowMedianHighOutlook
Alberta $32.22 $46.24 $57.46 Good (4 of 5)
Canada $22.53 $41.63 $50.00 —

Wages by region and job outlook in Alberta

Wages in every province and territory

Dietitians in other provinces and territories

Regulated in 9 of the other 12 jurisdictions checked so far. The rules differ from one place to the next.

Compare dietitian licensing across Canada

Sources checked

Pages read on October 10, 2026.

  1. Dietitian/Registered Nutritionist: Certifications in Alberta - alis alis.alberta.ca/occinfo/certifications-in-alberta/dietitianregister... · fetched October 10, 2026
  2. Out of Province Applicants | College of Dietitians of Alberta collegeofdietitians.ab.ca/applicants/applications/registered-elsewh... · fetched October 10, 2026
  3. International Applicants | College of Dietitians of Alberta collegeofdietitians.ab.ca/applicants/applications/internationally-e... · fetched October 10, 2026
  4. Self-Assessment | College of Dietitians of Alberta collegeofdietitians.ab.ca/applicants/applications/internationally-e... · fetched October 10, 2026
  5. Registration Requirements | Applicants | College of Dietitians of Alberta collegeofdietitians.ab.ca/applicants/requirements-for-registration · fetched October 10, 2026

Frequently asked questions

2

Do you need a licence to work as a dietitian in Alberta?

Yes. Registration with the College of Dietitians of Alberta is required to practise in Alberta.

Which exams are required?

Canadian Dietetic Registration Examination (CDRE), Foundational Knowledge Examination, Practice Competency Examination, Multiple Mini Interviews.

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