Frequently Asked Questions

General | Certification Requirements | Scope of Practice | Continuing Education | Renewal | Dietitian Licensure Compact

General

How do I change my name or update my contact information?

We must have your current mailing address in our system. This is especially important because we mail your courtesy renewal notice. The U.S. Postal Service does not forward Department of Health mail so it’s your responsibility to inform our Customer Service Office of a change in name or address.

If your contact information is not current in our system, complete, and submit the contact information change form.

After completing the form, submit it to the Department of Health by doing one of the following:

• Email: select the “Email” button on the contact information change form, it will be sent automatically.
• Mail: see the address at the bottom of the form.

How can I be involved and stay informed?

To get important information about state-certified birth doulas, subscribe for email updates at the bottom of the page.

Does Apple Health (Medicaid) reimburse dietitian and nutritionist services?

Yes. Apple Health (Medicaid) is managed by the Washington State Health Care Authority (HCA), not the Department of Health. Learn more about the HCA provider billing guides and fee schedules.

Certification Requirements

There are three pathways to obtain dietitian certification in Washington state.

Current Registered Dietitian Certification from the Commission on Dietetic Registration. If you apply under this method, transcripts from your schools are not required. Verification of current registration status with the Commission on Dietetic Registration is required.

OR

Applicants must have a baccalaureate degree or higher in a major course of study in human nutrition, foods and nutrition, dietetics, or food management. Applicants must have evidence of completion of 900 hours, accumulated over a maximum of 36 months, of continuous preprofessional experience or coordinated undergraduate program in dietetics under the supervision of a qualified supervisor. Written examination with the Commission on Dietetic Registration.

OR

Hold a current dietitian credential in a substantially equivalent state. Most states are substantially equivalent. There are 4 states not approved and 9 states that are evaluated on a case-by-case basis. Commission on Dietetic Registration cannot verify state credentials, you must contact the state where you hold the credential directly.

Verification Documents Required

Official transcript and date posted, received directly from applicant's program. Transcripts not in English must have an official translation. Official transcripts showing completion of 900 hours of supervised competency-based practice in the field of dietetics accumulated over a maximum of 36 months. Verification of current registration status with the Commission on Dietetic Registration.

There are three pathways to obtain Nutritionist certification in Washington state

Applicants must have a master's or doctorate degree in one of the following subject areas: Human nutrition, nutrition education, foods and nutrition, or public health nutrition with demonstration of meeting the nutritionist minimum core curriculum under WAC 246-822-130.

OR

The applicant is currently credentialed in another United States jurisdiction with substantially equivalent standards and has been credentialed for at least two years immediately preceding their application with no interruption in credentialing lasting longer than 90 days and meets all other requirements of RCW 18.130.077(3). 

OR

The applicant holds the national certification with the board for certification of nutrition specialists and meets the requirements of RCW 18.130.077(3).

Scope of Practice

Who may provide Medical Nutrition Therapy?

• Certified Dietitians scope of practice is defined in RCW 18.138.010(1) and clarified under WAC 246-822-135 what Nutrition Care Services mean. 
• Certified Nutritionist scope of practice is defined in RCW 18.138.010(2).

Can a person practice as a dietitian or nutritionist without obtaining certification?

Nothing in chapter 18.138 RCW prohibits a person from practicing as a dietitian or nutrition without obtaining certification. However, no person may use the title “state-certified dietitian or state-certified nutritionist” in connection with the person’s name to indicate or imply, directly or indirectly without state-certification from the Department of Health. No person may represent themselves as certified dietitians or certified nutritionists when any title or any description of services is used which incorporates one or more of the following items or designations: "Certified dietitian," "certified dietician," "certified nutritionist," "D.," "C.D.," or "C.N."

Continuing Education

The department does not require any continuing education for dietitians or nutritionists under chapter 18.138 RCW. However, please double check with your national associations such as the Commission on Dietetic Registration requires 75 hours continuing education.

Renewal

Once my initial, state certification is issued, when does it need to be renewed?

Your initial credential cycle is less than one year. Your initial certification expires on your next birthday after your initial credential is issued, per WAC 246-12-020. After that initial credential cycle, you are required to renew every year on your birthday.

Dietitian Licensure Compact

More information is coming. This compact does not go into effect until July 1, 2028.