Original Pathway II
Completion of a Baccalaureate degree granted by a US regionally accredited college/university, or foreign equivalent, and completion of a Commission on Accreditation of Dietetics Education (CADE) Didactic Program in Dietetics (DPD), and completion of a CADE accredited Dietetic Technician supervised practice.
New Pathway III
Completion of a Baccalaureate degree granted by a US regionally accredited college/university, or foreign equivalent, and completion of a Commission on Accreditation of Dietetics Education (CADE) Didactic Program in Dietetics (DPD) or Coordinated Program in Dietetics (CP).
For security reasons, all candidates must be processed through the Credential Registration and Maintenance System (CRMS) for eligibility to take the examination by their DPD Program Director. All candidates must complete an electronic application in PDF writeable format, available on CDR’s Web site at:
http://www.cdrnet.org/pdfs/DTRPathway3.pdf ; and the DTRE Mis-Use Form:
http://www.cdrnet.org/PDFs/DTRE%20%20Mis-Use%20%20-%20%20Updated%204-09.pdf
Examination Candidate Information and Study Resources
Computer Based Testing FAQ:
http://www.cdrnet.org/certifications/rddtr/cbtfaq.htm
Study Guide for the Registration Examination for Dietetic Technicians, 5th edition:
http://www.eatright.org/cps/rde/xchg/ada/hs.xsl/shop_9603_ENU_HTML.htm
“Check It Out – Becoming a Dietetic Technician Registered”:
http://www.eatright.org/ada/files/DTR_Check_it_Out(1).pdf
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Why did CDR establish this new pathway?
A: For the past several years CDR has noted that number of dietetic technicians, registered
has been declining at a rapid rate. This decline, coupled with the uneven geographic distribution of DTRs, poses a significant challenge for employers who seek to hire DTRs. CDR strongly supports the role of the dietetic technician and believes that this new pathway will address both of these issues. This decision is consistent with CDR’s public protection mission in that it provides a credential for the numerous non-credentialed DPD graduates currently employed in dietetic technician positions. Once credentialed, these individuals will be required to comply with CDR recertification requirements, the Code of Ethics for the Profession of Dietetics and the Standards of Practice. CDR also believes that this alternative registration eligibility option will provide a dietetics career ladder increase the availability and visibility of DTRs throughout the country ultimately enhancing the value of the DTR credential.
2. Can an individual who has their DPD Verification Statement and an original
baccalaureate degree tran submit their “Registration Eligibility Application for the Registration Examination for Dietetic Technicians” directly to CDR for processing?
A: No. Programs directors provide the technical review and verification of all applicant
documentation and then they submit the approved candidate application to CDR for final processing. The only exception to this procedure is when the DPD program is no longer open.
3. If the applicant obtained a baccalaureate degree in a foreign country does the degree have to be verified as an equivalent to a degree by one of the foreign degree equivalency agencies specified by CDR?
A: Yes, the degree must be determined equivalent by one of the agencies listed on CDR’s Web site at: http://www.eatright.org/cps/rde/xchg/SID-5303FFEA-BA8CE5B5/ada/hs.xsl/career_15536_ENU_HTML.htm or a degree equivalency office at a US regionally accredited college or university.
4. If an applicant has their international tran evaluated by an agency not approved by CDR, does it have to be re-evaluated by one of the approved agencies?
A: Yes. Tran evaluation agencies are reviewed against specific CDR criteria. If approved, the agency is added to CDR’s listing of approved tran evaluation agencies. No other agency evaluation will be accepted.
5. Who is now eligible to take the registration examination for dietetic technicians?
A: Individuals who have completed a minimum of a Baccalaureate degree granted by a US regionally accredited college/university or foreign equivalent and a Didactic Program in Dietetics (DPD) program as verified by a DPD Program Director.
6. Is there a recency of education requirement?
A: No. CDR does not require recency of education. However, individuals that graduated under a Plan IV curriculum rather than a Didactic Program curriculum will not be eligible to sit for the DTR examination without first meeting current Didactic Program in Dietetics (DPD) requirements.
7. Are graduates of a Coordinated Program (CP) in Dietetics or a Dietetic Internship (DI) Program who have already established eligibility to take the registration examination for dietitians now eligible to take the registration examination for dietetic technicians?
A: Yes, provided they have completed DPD program requirements through either an undergraduate program or a Coordinated Program (CP) in dietetics. These individuals should contact Elaine Butler at 800/877-1600, ext. 4859, to request an examination application.
8. Will Didactic Programs receive information on the success of their graduates who take the registration examination for dietetic technicians?
A. CDR will generate six-month and five-year Summary Reports on the examination results of DPD graduates that sit for the DTR examination and provide these to the Commission on Accreditation for Dietetics Education (CADE) for distribution to assist programs in the evaluation of the outcomes of their graduates.
If you have comments or questions about this new eligibility option to take the registration examination for dietetic technicians, please call Kay Manger-Hague at ext. 4777, reply to
