download my pdf summarizing 2022 changes
I've gone through the full CDR outlines from 2017 and 2022, side-by-side, and summarized the changes, including what was added, moved, and taken out. You can download my summary document using the button below. you'll be taken to the Google Drive document where you can download a copy for yourself.
About the Registered DIetitian certification exam
The RD/RDN Certification exam is managed by the Commission on Dietetic Registration (CDR), the credentialing agency for the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics. They keep an up-to-date web page about the RD/RDN certification process, including the examination, on their website, www.cdrnet.org and at https://www.cdrnet.org/certifications/registered-dietitian-rd-certification.
Helpful CDR Links
Who gives the exam?
The RD exam is administered by CDR's testing vendor, Pearson VUE. Tests are administered year-round and subject to the testing centers operating hours. You can find testing centers at www.pearsonvue.com/cdr under "Find a Test Center". There will not be a CDR representative at the exam. You must bring an original valid government issued ID with name, photo, and signature to be admitted to the exam. Be sure to read all additional instructions provided by Pearson VUE for your testing appointment, including COVID-19 precautions.
You leave all personal belongings in a locker outside of the testing area. Phones and other electronic devices are not allowed in the testing area. You will be provided with paper or an erasable note board to write on after the exam has started. You will have an on-screen calculator to use. It's good to practice with a computer calculator while you study for the RD exam.
How much does the exam cost?
Authorization for the exam costs $200 and lasts for 1 year. If you do not pass the exam or if your authorization expires, you must request reauthorization and pay the fee again.
What format is the test?
The exam is taken on a computer, in a room with other examinees and is a computer adaptive test meaning that it administers questions to provide the most information about the examinee's competence.
You must answer all of the questions (you cannot skip questions) and you cannot flag questions to come back to or review your responses after moving to a subsequent question.
How long is the test?
The multiple-choice exam varies in length - you will get at least 125 questions, 100 of these will be scored, and 25 will be pre-test questions. The most questions you could get are 145 questions, with 120 scored and 25 pre-test questions. The pre-test questions are often questions CDR is piloting and you do not know which questions are scored and which are not.
You have 2 1/2 hours to take the exam - testing appointments are 3 hours with 20 minutes for an introductory tutorial to familiarize yourself with the computer testing software and 10 minutes for a post examination survey.
Are special accommodations available?
Yes, through Pearson VUE (www.pearsonvue.com/accomodations) before schedule your testing appointment. Each time you request accommodations for the exam, you must submit a separate request and the supporting documents for evaluation. Learn more on the Pearson VUE website and on page 3 of the RD Candidate Handbook from CDR.
What score do I need to pass the exam?
Because each examinee may answer a different number of questions, the final exam score is scaled out of 50. To pass, you need a 25 out of 50. You will receive a print-off immediately after submitting your exam and it will have your scaled score as well as scaled sub-scores for Domains I and II and Domains III and IV.
If you decide to stop the test before submitting, it will not be considered a fail, but you must still obtain reauthorization to take the exam and you will not be issued a refund.
What material is on the exam?
For the 2022-2026 exam, there are 4 domains
The image below from CDR shows the outlines for the 2017 exam and the 2022 exam side-by-side. Click the image to go to CDR's PDF.
CDR provides a full list of topics under each domain and topic in the Registration Examination for Dietitians Study Outline 2022-2026.
Helpful CDR Links
- FAQ for the RD and DTR Exam, Sept 2021
- CDR Test Specifications and Study Guides
- RD Candidate Handbook, Oct 2021
- RD Exam Pass/Fail Statistics
- CDR Outline for 2022 Exam, Sept 2020
Who gives the exam?
The RD exam is administered by CDR's testing vendor, Pearson VUE. Tests are administered year-round and subject to the testing centers operating hours. You can find testing centers at www.pearsonvue.com/cdr under "Find a Test Center". There will not be a CDR representative at the exam. You must bring an original valid government issued ID with name, photo, and signature to be admitted to the exam. Be sure to read all additional instructions provided by Pearson VUE for your testing appointment, including COVID-19 precautions.
You leave all personal belongings in a locker outside of the testing area. Phones and other electronic devices are not allowed in the testing area. You will be provided with paper or an erasable note board to write on after the exam has started. You will have an on-screen calculator to use. It's good to practice with a computer calculator while you study for the RD exam.
How much does the exam cost?
Authorization for the exam costs $200 and lasts for 1 year. If you do not pass the exam or if your authorization expires, you must request reauthorization and pay the fee again.
What format is the test?
The exam is taken on a computer, in a room with other examinees and is a computer adaptive test meaning that it administers questions to provide the most information about the examinee's competence.
You must answer all of the questions (you cannot skip questions) and you cannot flag questions to come back to or review your responses after moving to a subsequent question.
How long is the test?
The multiple-choice exam varies in length - you will get at least 125 questions, 100 of these will be scored, and 25 will be pre-test questions. The most questions you could get are 145 questions, with 120 scored and 25 pre-test questions. The pre-test questions are often questions CDR is piloting and you do not know which questions are scored and which are not.
You have 2 1/2 hours to take the exam - testing appointments are 3 hours with 20 minutes for an introductory tutorial to familiarize yourself with the computer testing software and 10 minutes for a post examination survey.
Are special accommodations available?
Yes, through Pearson VUE (www.pearsonvue.com/accomodations) before schedule your testing appointment. Each time you request accommodations for the exam, you must submit a separate request and the supporting documents for evaluation. Learn more on the Pearson VUE website and on page 3 of the RD Candidate Handbook from CDR.
What score do I need to pass the exam?
Because each examinee may answer a different number of questions, the final exam score is scaled out of 50. To pass, you need a 25 out of 50. You will receive a print-off immediately after submitting your exam and it will have your scaled score as well as scaled sub-scores for Domains I and II and Domains III and IV.
If you decide to stop the test before submitting, it will not be considered a fail, but you must still obtain reauthorization to take the exam and you will not be issued a refund.
What material is on the exam?
For the 2022-2026 exam, there are 4 domains
- Principles of Dietetics (21%)
- Nutrition Care for Individuals and Groups (45%)
- Management of Food and Nutrition Programs and Services (21%)
- Foodservice Systems (13%)
The image below from CDR shows the outlines for the 2017 exam and the 2022 exam side-by-side. Click the image to go to CDR's PDF.
CDR provides a full list of topics under each domain and topic in the Registration Examination for Dietitians Study Outline 2022-2026.
download my pdf summarizing 2022 changes
I've gone through the full CDR outlines from 2017 and 2022, side-by-side, and summarized the changes, including what was added, moved, and taken out. You can download my summary document using the button below. you'll be taken to the Google Drive document where you can download a copy for yourself.
compare study smarter method content to the cdr outline
Many study materials for the RD exam present material divided by domain. But if you really take a look at the CDR outline (which lucky for you, I dove in so you don't have to), much of the material crosses domains and is better learned TOGETHER. So if you've already snuck a peak at my study guides, you'll notice they are titled by concepts and not domain. You can see how all the material in the CDR outline is covered in my study guides by looking at my CDR OUTLINE to STUDY GUIDE Cross Walk. Download the PDF using the button below (which will take you to the Google Drive document, and you can download your own copy).
