How to Become a Registered Dietitian in Texas (2026 Guide)

How to Become a Registered Dietitian in Texas

Texas is one of the nation's largest and most diverse healthcare markets, with major systems operating across four of the country's most populous metros — Houston, Dallas-Fort Worth, San Antonio, and Austin. The state requires dietitians to hold a license from the Texas State Board of Examiners of Dietitians (administered through the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation, TDLR) in addition to national CDR registration. Texas's combination of major academic medical centers, extensive dialysis networks, and rapidly growing urban populations creates sustained demand for credentialed RDs.

Here is the complete 2026 guide to Texas RD licensure.

Step 1: ACEND-Accredited Nutrition Program

Since January 1, 2024, the CDR requires all new RD candidates to hold a minimum master's degree from an ACEND-accredited program. This requirement applies in Texas as everywhere nationwide. ACEND graduate programs integrate the required supervised practice hours (at least 1,000 hours) into the degree path, allowing students to complete both academic and experiential CDR requirements within a single program enrollment.

Texas has numerous ACEND-accredited graduate programs at institutions including UT Southwestern, Texas A&M, Texas State University, Sam Houston State, and others. Graduates of out-of-state or online ACEND programs are equally eligible to apply for Texas TDLR licensure.

Step 2: CDR Registration Examination

After completing your ACEND-accredited graduate program, you must pass the CDR Registration Examination for Dietitians:

• Fee: approximately $200
• Format: 145 questions (125 scored + 20 unscored pretest), computer-adaptive
• Domains: principles of dietetics; nutrition care for individuals and groups; management of food and nutrition programs; food science and nutrient composition
• Maintenance: 75 PDUs per five-year cycle to maintain active CDR registration

Texas TDLR requires proof of active CDR registration as a prerequisite for issuing a state dietitian license.

Step 3: State Dietitian License

The Texas State Board of Examiners of Dietitians, administered by the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation (TDLR), issues the Texas Dietitian license. Application requirements include:

1. Complete the TDLR dietitian licensure application through the TDLR online portal.
2. Provide proof of current, active CDR registration (RD or RDN credential).
3. Submit official transcripts from your ACEND-accredited graduate program.
4. Pay the state licensure fee (approximately $75–$100; verify the exact current fee on the TDLR website before applying).
5. Complete any required background check or supplementary documentation as specified by TDLR.

Texas dietitian licenses are renewed biennially. Confirm the current renewal schedule and any updated requirements directly with TDLR at the time of your application, as TDLR periodically updates application procedures and fee schedules.

Continuing Education

Texas requires continuing education for dietitian license renewal consistent with CDR's 75 PDU / five-year framework. Texas-specific renewal CE requirements should be confirmed with TDLR — the state may specify required CE hours per biennial cycle that differ from or supplement the CDR five-year baseline. Approved CE activities include professional conferences, webinars, self-study, supervised practice, research activities, and peer review. Texas's large professional dietetics community — with active local dietetic associations in Houston, Dallas, San Antonio, and Austin — offers abundant CE programming for all specialties.

RD vs. RDN

The Registered Dietitian (RD) and Registered Dietitian Nutritionist (RDN) credentials are legally equivalent and interchangeable. Texas TDLR and major Texas health systems including Baylor Scott & White, UT Southwestern, and Texas Health Resources recognize both titles equally. Neither designation confers any expanded scope of practice over the other under Texas law. The choice is personal preference — no clinical, employment, or regulatory distinction exists between the two titles in Texas.

Texas RD Salary Ranges

Texas RD salaries vary by metro area, with Houston and Dallas commanding the highest rates while San Antonio and Austin offer competitive packages with lower cost of living:

• Entry-level (0–2 years): approximately $55,000–$60,000 per year
• Mid-career (3–7 years): approximately $60,000–$70,000 per year
• Experienced (8+ years) or specialty: approximately $70,000–$78,000 per year
• Houston/Dallas premium: major metro RD salaries in Houston and Dallas often run $2,000–$5,000 above the state average, with specialized clinical positions at academic centers reaching higher
• Renal/dialysis premium: Texas's massive DaVita and Fresenius networks make renal nutrition one of the highest-demand specialties; CSR-certified renal RDs typically earn a $4,000–$8,000 annual premium
• Travel RD contracts: rural Texas — including West Texas, South Texas border communities, and the Rio Grande Valley — offers travel assignments ranging from $35–$50 per hour with stipends

Top Employers

Texas's major employers of Registered Dietitians span all four major metros and rural regions:

• Texas Health Resources — Arlington-based system with hospitals across the DFW metroplex, consistently hiring clinical and outpatient dietitians
• Baylor Scott & White Health — one of the nation's largest not-for-profit health systems, with extensive clinical nutrition positions across Dallas, Austin, Temple, and beyond
• UT Southwestern Medical Center — Dallas academic medical center with clinical, research, and outpatient dietitian opportunities
• DaVita and Fresenius Kidney Care — both operate dozens of Texas dialysis clinics with renal RD openings across all major markets
• Memorial Hermann (Houston), Houston Methodist, Methodist Healthcare (San Antonio), Ascension Seton (Austin), WIC Texas, CHRISTUS Health, and private outpatient nutrition practices throughout the state