Medical
CDR RDRegistered Dietitian
The Commission on Dietetic Registration (CDR) Registration Examination for Dietitians is the national licensure-track exam for becoming a Registered Dietitian (RD), also designated Registered Dietitian Nutritionist (RDN) — the credentials are identical. Administered as a computer-adaptive test through Pearson VUE. The exam fee increased to $250 effective June 2025.
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Exam facts
Everything you need to know about the CDR RD exam.
- Passing score
- Scaled score of 25 (on a 1-50 scale); CAT format ends when proficiency is determined
- Format & length
- Computer-adaptive · approximately 125-145 questions · up to 3 hours
- Voucher cost
- $250 USD (increased from $225 in June 2025)
- Prerequisites
- Bachelor's degree minimum (master's required for candidates registering on/after Jan 1, 2024 per ACEND), ACEND-accredited didactic program, completion of supervised practice (dietetic internship or coordinated program)
- Validity
- Lifetime credential with 75 CPEUs every 5 years + annual registration fee + Professional Development Portfolio (PDP)
What’s tested
Key topics on the CDR RD exam.
The Cert Climb question bank is mapped to every domain on the official CDR RD exam blueprint, so what you study is what the test asks.
- Principles of Dietetics
- Nutrition Care for Individuals & Groups
- Management of Food & Nutrition Programs & Services
- Foodservice Systems
Who it’s for
Built for the people taking this exam.
Graduates of ACEND-accredited dietetics programs who completed supervised practice and are pursuing the RD/RDN credential to practice as a clinical, community, or foodservice dietitian.
Why it matters in 2026
The career signal.
RD/RDN is the legally protected title for dietitians in most US states — Medicare reimbursement for medical nutrition therapy requires it, and most hospital and outpatient clinical nutrition positions list it as a hard requirement. Without the credential, candidates can only work as 'nutritionists' in states without title protection, at significantly lower pay.
What you get
Everything you need to actually pass.
Full question bank
1,500 questions covering every objective on the official CDR RD exam blueprint, with detailed explanations on every option — right and wrong.
Quiz modes
Timed exam simulation, missed-only review, topic drills, and a daily question of the day. Practice the way you study best.
Flashcards
Spaced-repetition flashcards generated from each topic. Pull them up on a phone in the gap between meetings.
Progress tracking
See per-topic accuracy and answered counts. Find weak areas before they cost you on test day.
Per-category premium
Unlocking CDR RD unlocks every other Medical exam in the Cert Climb catalog — pay once, stack credentials.
No-fluff explanations
Every wrong answer comes with a 2-3 sentence explanation of why it’s wrong, not just “the correct answer is X.” Pattern recognition is the whole game.
Read while you study
CDR RD articles & study guides
FAQ
Frequently asked questions about CDR RD
How many questions does the CDR RD bank have?
1,500 questions, organized into 4 subject areas mapped to the official exam objectives.
Is the free trial really free?
Yes. 30 questions, no credit card, no email-trap, no “activate by Friday or pay” spam. You either upgrade because the bank’s good, or you don’t.
What does premium cost?
Premium is sold per category and unlocks every Medical exam in the Cert Climb catalog. Plans are 1-month, 3-month, or 12-month — see the upgrade modal for current pricing.
How current is the CDR RD content?
We track exam version updates and refresh the bank within weeks of new objectives. Where the version of an exam matters (e.g. CompTIA SY0-701 vs. SY0-601), question explanations call it out.
Can I cancel my subscription anytime?
Yes. Cancellation is one click from your profile. Your access continues through the end of the period you’ve already paid for.
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