How to Become an RD
- Application Requirements
- Dietitian — A Protected Title in Ontario
- General Certificate of Registration
- Temporary Certificate of Registration
- Application Form
- Application Fees
- Dietetic Technicians
Application Requirements in Ontario
All applicants must meet the high Canadian standards for academic and practical training in order to practice as a Dietitian in Ontario. The requirements for becoming a dietitian in Ontario are:
- Academic Preparation from an accredited Canadian university program in foods & nutrition or equivalent
- Practical Training in an accredited practical program in Canada or equivalent
- Language Proficiency in English or French
- Record of Ethical and Competent Practice
- Good Character and Good Conduct
- Current Dietetic Knowledge and Competence
- Eligible to Work in Canada
- Knowledge and practical experience related to the Canadian health care system
- Pass the Canadian Dietetic Registration Examination (Registration Exam)
For special needs accommodation, click here to access the College's Accessibility Policy.
Using the professional title Dietitian, Registered Dietitian or any abbreviation in Ontario is prohibited under the Dietetics Act (1991) unless a person is a member of the College of Dietitians of Ontario. Applicants cannot use the dietitian title until they have received written confirmation that they are registered to practice in Ontario. Any person who contravenes the law is guilty of an offence and on conviction may be liable to a fine of not more than $25,000 for a first offence and not more than $50,000 for a second or subsequent offence.
An applicant who has met all 9 requirements for registration will receive a General Certificate of Registration with the College of Dietitians of Ontario.
An applicant who has not yet written the Canadian Dietetic Registration Examination and has met the first eight requirements listed above may be eligible to receive a Temporary Certificate of Registration if the following conditions are met:
- The applicant has not previously held a Temporary Certificate of Registration;
- The applicant has not previously failed the registration exam;
- The applicant has applied to write the next available Registration Exam or has written the examination and is waiting for the results.
An individual holding a Temporary Certificate of Registration may practise using the title "Registered Dietitian" but may not supervise another dietitian.
The College of Dietitians of Ontario does not regulate or register Dietetic Technicians.
In many work settings, dietetic technicians or dietetic assistants work under the supervision of a dietitian, and are involved in education, screening, assessment, planning and monitoring of nutrition care for clients at low to moderate risk. They may also assist in menu planning and in the supervision foodservice operations.
In Canada, there are no standards for academic training and qualifications for dietetic technicians. Qualifications vary according to the position; however, many organizations require either a 4-year undergraduate degree in human nutrition, or a Community College diploma in foodservices management or the dietetic technician program, along with membership in the Canadian Society of Nutrition Management (CSNM).
Conestoga College offers the only diploma program with a clinical focus for dietetic technicians.
For more information consult these sites: Programs for foodservices managers
- George Brown College
- Kemptville College
- Canadore College (North Bay)
- Centennial College (Scarborough)
- Canadian Society of Nutrition Management (CSNM)
