How to Become a Registered Dietitian in Missouri 2026: RD/RDN License Guide

How to Become a Registered Dietitian in Missouri

Missouri dietitians must hold both CDR national registration and a state license through the Missouri Division of Professional Registration — Dietetics. The state's major metropolitan health systems in St. Louis and Kansas City create strong demand for credentialed dietitians, while rural communities across the state rely on WIC and safety-net hospital nutrition services.

As of January 1, 2024, CDR requires all new RD/RDN candidates to hold a minimum of a master's degree from an ACEND-accredited program. If you began a DPD-only bachelor's program before that date, confirm your CDR eligibility window directly with CDR.

Step 1: ACEND-Accredited Nutrition Program

Enroll in an ACEND-accredited graduate-level dietetics program. The curriculum must include a Didactic Program in Dietetics (DPD) covering biochemistry, food science, clinical nutrition, management, and community nutrition. After completing the didactic component, you must finish a supervised Dietetic Internship (DI) or coordinated program with a minimum of 1,200 supervised practice hours. Missouri hosts ACEND-accredited programs at the University of Missouri-Columbia, Saint Louis University, and Fontbonne University, among others.

Step 2: CDR Registration Examination

Upon verification of your supervised hours by CDR:

• Exam fee: approximately $200
• Format: 145 questions (125 scored + 20 unscored), computer-adaptive
• Delivery: Pearson VUE testing centers or remote proctoring
• Renewal: 75 PDUs per 5-year renewal cycle

Passing earns you the RD or RDN designation.

Step 3: Missouri State Dietitian License

Apply to the Missouri Division of Professional Registration — Dietetics following your CDR exam pass. The application fee is approximately $50–$75. You will need to submit CDR confirmation, official transcripts from your ACEND program, and supervised practice records. Missouri licenses are renewed on a biennial cycle tied to CDR renewal dates.

Continuing Education

CDR requires 75 PDUs every 5 years for credential maintenance. Missouri's state CE requirements align with CDR's renewal cycle, so maintaining one comprehensive PDU log satisfies both requirements. Missouri dietitians working in acute care or renal settings frequently complete CDR-approved specialty certifications (e.g., Certified Specialist in Renal Nutrition, CSR) as part of their PDU accumulation.

RD vs. RDN

Since 2013, CDR has offered credential holders the option of either Registered Dietitian (RD) or Registered Dietitian Nutritionist (RDN) — same credential, different name. Missouri's state license uses the title "licensed dietitian" (LD). Both RD and RDN suffixes are equally valid additions to your LD designation. The choice is personal; many Missouri practitioners use RDN for its additional clarity in consumer-facing contexts.

Missouri RD Salary Ranges

Missouri's dual metro markets (St. Louis and Kansas City) drive compensation above rural-state averages. 2026 estimates:

• Entry-level clinical RD: $50,000–$63,000/year
• Experienced clinical RD: $63,000–$76,000/year
• Renal/dialysis RD: $64,000–$83,000/year
• Travel RD (contract): $35–$49/hour plus housing stipend
• St. Louis / Kansas City metro premium: 6–12% above statewide average

Top Employers for Missouri Dietitians

• BJC HealthCare — largest employer in Missouri; extensive clinical nutrition staff across Barnes-Jewish, Missouri Baptist, and community hospitals
• Mercy Health — large Catholic health system with facilities across St. Louis, Springfield, and Kansas City
• SSM Health — four-state Catholic health system headquartered in St. Louis; significant MO clinical RD staffing
• DaVita / Fresenius Kidney Care — renal dietitian positions across Missouri dialysis clinic networks
• Children's Mercy Kansas City — pediatric clinical nutrition specialists
• Missouri WIC Program — community nutrition counselors statewide including rural county offices
• Skilled nursing facilities (SNFs) — MDS nutrition compliance and long-term care management
• K–12 school districts — child nutrition program directors in both urban and rural Missouri districts
• Private practice — sports nutrition, eating disorder treatment, and telehealth nutrition counseling in Kansas City and St. Louis