Licensing guide · Ontario

How to Become a Dietitian in Ontario

Last checked 7 sources checkedNOC 31121

Do you need a licence?

Licence required

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

Protected titles
Dietitian, Registered Dietitian (RD), Dietetiste (Dt.P), Diététiste Professionel.le.s (Dt.P)
Show the source
“Only registrants of the College can practise as a dietitian in Ontario using the titles "Dietitian," "Registered Dietitian (RD)," "Dietetiste (Dt.P)," or "Diététiste Professionel.le.s (Dt.P)." It is illegal for anyone to use any of these titles in Ontario without a valid certificate of registration issued by the College.”

From collegeofdietitians.org/applicants/australian-apd, checked October 10, 2026.

At a glance

Licence status
Licence required See the source
Routes
Annual fees

Your roadmap

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

Trained outside Canada

  • 2 fees depend on your situation and are not in the total
  • 3 steps without a listed fee
  • Annual fees: $674 (Each year, your registration renewal fee is due on October 31)
  • Listed time: 1 to 1.2 months (only 3 of 5 steps state a time)

  1. You email a completed application form to the College along with a WES assessment report, official transcripts, proof of language proficiency and translated documents.

    Time: 10 days
    Time source
    “Completing the registration process can take up to 10 business days from the time that the College receives all of the required documents, but this is a guideline only.”
    collegeofdietitians.org/applicants/internationally-educated/applica...
    Source
    “The Application Form must be sent by email (PDF format preferred) to: [email protected]. ... A WES assessment is required for all university education that you completed outside of Canada ... You must arrange for official transcripts to be sent to the College using WES' ICAP service for each post-secondary degree that you have completed. ... You must be able to show proficiency in English. To demonstrate language proficiency, you must submit: A valid (within the past two years) report sent electronically to the College by an approved testing agency ... OR An official letter, sent directly to the College by the school or education institution, confirming that the medium of instruction was English for your secondary or post-secondary education.”
    collegeofdietitians.org/applicants/internationally-educated/applica...

  2. You take the Knowledge and Competency Assessment Tool, a computer-based multiple-choice exam, from your personal computer via an online remote-proctored process.

    Time: 5 days
    Time source
    “It is written over five hours and twenty minutes, divided into 2 two-hour parts (Part 1: 2 hours 45 minutes; Part 2: 2 hours 35 minutes) with a one-hour lunch break between Part 1 and Part 2.”
    collegeofdietitians.org/applicants/registration-requirements/educat...
    Source
    “Candidates will take the September 9, 2026, KCAT from their personal computer via an online remote-proctored process. The KCAT is a computer-based, multiple-choice exam.”
    collegeofdietitians.org/applicants/registration-requirements/educat...

  3. If your KCAT result shows sufficient knowledge, you complete the Performance-Based Assessment, a written and oral assessment of practicum-related competencies.

    Source
    “If the College determines that you have demonstrated appropriate foundational knowledge and competence related to the academic performance indicators of the national standards, you will move on to the Performance-Based Assessment, which is a written and oral assessment designed to assess the competence of internationally educated applicants compared to the practicum-related performance indicators in the national competencies.”
    collegeofdietitians.org/applicants/registration-requirements/educat...

  4. You complete the Dietitians of Canada Critical Care Nutrition Course, a self-paced online course that takes approximately 15 to 20 hours.

    Time: 15 to 20 days
    Time source
    “The course takes approximately 15 – 20 hours to complete.”
    collegeofdietitians.org/applicants/registration-requirements/educat...
    Source
    “The Dietitians of Canada Critical Care Nutrition Course provides an intensive, evidence-based, self-paced learning program with the latest information on implementing nutrition care. The course is available on demand. The course takes approximately 15 – 20 hours to complete.”
    collegeofdietitians.org/applicants/registration-requirements/educat...

  5. You submit an application for registration with the College, which confirms your eligibility to write the Canadian Dietetic Registration Examination, and you may be eligible for a Temporary Certificate of Registration while awaiting results.

    Source
    “Once you have successfully completed the Critical Care Nutrition course and the JKAT, you must submit an application for registration with the College of Dietitians of Ontario. The College will review your application to confirm that you have met all of the other registration requirements in order to confirm your eligibility to write the CDRE. When you are deemed eligible to write the CDRE, you will also be eligible for a Temporary Certificate of Registration, which will enable you to practice as a dietitian in Ontario while you await the results of the CDRE.”
    collegeofdietitians.org/applicants/registration-requirements/educat...

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.

Annual fees Paid every year, so not part of the one-time total.

Official page for this route

Other listed fees

The regulator lists these without tying them to one step, so they are not in the route totals above. Check which apply to you.

  • Temporary Registration Fee: $120 (optional, non-refundable)
    Source
    “Temporary Registration Fee (optional, non-refundable) $120”
    collegeofdietitians.org/applicants/fees-and-costs/registrant-fees-a...
  • Upgrading Assessment for Submission of Continuing Competence Portfolio: $425
    Source
    “Upgrading Assessment for Submission of Continuing Competence Portfolio For applicants who completed their accredited academic and practical training (or equivalent) more than three (3) years ago. OR For former dietitians who have not practised dietetics as a registrant of a regulatory body for at least 500 hours over the past three (3) years. $425”
    collegeofdietitians.org/applicants/fees-and-costs/applicant-fees-an...
  • Verification Letters: $30 (for registrants of the College seeking a letter/form completion confirming registration history and conduct)
    Source
    “Verification Letters For registrants of the College seeking a letter/form completion confirming registration history and conduct. $30”
    collegeofdietitians.org/applicants/fees-and-costs/registrant-fees-a...

Requirements

Conditions the regulator sets on top of the roadmap steps.

Education

  • You must demonstrate successful completion of a university degree and supervised practical training which meet the standards for dietetics education in Canada.

    Source
    “You must demonstrate successful completion of a university degree and supervised practical training which meet the standards for dietetics education in Canada.”
    collegeofdietitians.org/applicants/registration-requirements

  • For the PLAR process you must have completed a bachelor degree reasonably related to dietetics, or a science bachelor degree followed by a university-level program of at least two years reasonably related to dietetics, with courses in nutrition care, population health promotion, and food provision.

    Source
    “Have completed a Bachelor degree reasonably related to dietetics, with completed courses in nutrition care, population health promotion, and food provision; OR A degree Bachelor degree in sciences, followed by a completed university-level program of at least two years in duration reasonably related to dietetics, with completed courses in nutrition care, population health promotion, and food provision.”
    collegeofdietitians.org/applicants/registration-requirements/educat...

Experience

  • If your education and training was completed more than three years ago, you must demonstrate that your dietetic knowledge, skills, and competence remain current.

    Source
    “If your education and training was completed more than three years ago, you must demonstrate that your dietetic knowledge, skills, and competence remain current.”
    collegeofdietitians.org/applicants/registration-requirements

Good character

  • The College must be satisfied that you will practise the profession safely and ethically, and in accordance with the law, and you must truthfully state whether you have been found guilty of an offence or had findings against you.

    Source
    “The College must be satisfied that you will practice the profession safely and ethically, and in accordance with the law. You must truthfully state whether you have been found guilty of an offence, refused registration, had a finding against you related to the practice of dietetics or another profession, or are involved in certain proceedings.”
    collegeofdietitians.org/applicants/registration-requirements

Other

  • You must provide proof that you are authorized to work in Canada.

    Source
    “You must provide proof that you are authorized to work in Canada.”
    collegeofdietitians.org/applicants/registration-requirements

  • You must be able to show proficiency in either English or French before you can practise dietetics in Ontario.

    Source
    “You must be able to show proficiency in either English or French before you can practise dietetics in Ontario.”
    collegeofdietitians.org/applicants/registration-requirements

  • You must declare whether you have a physical or mental condition or disorder that could affect your ability to practise dietetics in a safe manner.

    Source
    “You must declare whether have a physical or mental condition or disorder that could affect your ability to practise dietetics in a safe manner.”
    collegeofdietitians.org/applicants/registration-requirements

  • For Australian APDs, at the time of application you must still be registered as an APD and a member in good standing with Dietitians Australia, and your registration must not be in a restricted category.

    Source
    “At the time that you apply, you are still registered as an APD and a member in good standing with the DA. Your registration with DA is not in a restricted category, such as student, graduate, qualifying, honorary, retired, inactive, associate, or special.”
    collegeofdietitians.org/applicants/australian-apd

Already licensed in another province?

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

Check a move between two provinces

Credential assessment

  • World Education Services (WES) assessment

    Confirms whether your degree is equivalent to the university level in Canada

    Source
    “A WES assessment is required for all university education that you completed outside of Canada, with the exception of education from universities in the United States that have regional accreditation. The WES assessment will confirm whether your degree is equivalent to the university level in Canada.”
    collegeofdietitians.org/applicants/internationally-educated/applica...

Exams

Language tests

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

Exemptions: You may demonstrate language proficiency by providing proof that you completed education in English or French, or by submitting a report demonstrating that you achieved the minimum score on an approved language assessment.

Source
“You may demonstrate language proficiency by providing proof that you completed education in English or French, or by submitting a report demonstrating that you achieved the minimum score on an approved language assessment.”
collegeofdietitians.org/applicants/registration-requirements

Compare scores across provinces and professions

Canadian experience

Applicants who successfully complete an accredited practicum program in Canada after receiving a KCAT Level I result are eligible to write the Canadian Dietetic Registration Examination.

Source
“If you successfully complete an accredited practicum program in Canada after you have received a KCAT Level I result, you are eligible to write the national licensing exam (the Canadian Dietetic Registration Examination).”
collegeofdietitians.org/applicants/registration-requirements/educat...

Supervised practice

Required

You must demonstrate successful completion of supervised practical training which meets the standards for dietetics education in Canada.

Source
“You must demonstrate successful completion of a university degree and supervised practical training which meet the standards for dietetics education in Canada.”
collegeofdietitians.org/applicants/registration-requirements

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 Ontario and Canada
WhereLowMedianHighOutlook
Ontario $20.00 $42.00 $50.00 Moderate (3 of 5)
Canada $22.53 $41.63 $50.00 —

Wages by region and job outlook in Ontario

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. Australian APD – College of Dietitians collegeofdietitians.org/applicants/australian-apd · fetched October 10, 2026
  2. Internationally Educated – College of Dietitians collegeofdietitians.org/applicants/internationally-educated · fetched October 10, 2026
  3. PLAR Application Instructions – College of Dietitians collegeofdietitians.org/applicants/internationally-educated/applica... · fetched October 10, 2026
  4. Applicant Fees and Associated Costs – College of Dietitians collegeofdietitians.org/applicants/fees-and-costs/applicant-fees-an... · fetched October 10, 2026
  5. Prior Learning Assessment and Recognition Process – College of Dietitians collegeofdietitians.org/applicants/registration-requirements/educat... · fetched October 10, 2026
  6. Registration Requirements – College of Dietitians collegeofdietitians.org/applicants/registration-requirements · fetched October 10, 2026
  7. Registration Fees and Associated Costs – College of Dietitians collegeofdietitians.org/applicants/fees-and-costs/registrant-fees-a... · fetched October 10, 2026

Frequently asked questions

2

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

Yes. Registration with the College of Dietitians of Ontario is required to practise in Ontario, and to use the title Dietitian, Registered Dietitian (RD) or Dietetiste (Dt.P).

Which exams are required?

Knowledge and Competency Assessment Tool (KCAT), Performance-Based Assessment (PBA), Canadian Dietetic Registration Examination (CDRE).

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