Dietitians in Indiana must be
licensed by the Medical Licensing Board of Indiana. Up until 2019, dietitians in Indiana were certified. Therefore, once licensed, dietitians in Indiana may use the titles “Certified Dietitian” or “Licensed Dietitian,” and the credentials “CD” or “LD.” Becoming a registered dietitian in Indiana involves fulfilling the mandates of the American Dietetic Association’s Commission on Dietetic Registration (CDR). In the following article, we will delve into how to become an Indiana registered dietitian.
Education and Experience for Dietitians in Indiana
Indiana’s Medical Licensing Board enforces the state’s administrative code for dietitians. This specifies that anyone who wants to become a dietitian must complete certain education and experience before this can occur. The law in Indiana says that you must:
- Have a bachelor’s degree or higher in human nutrition, food and nutrition, nutrition education, food systems management, or dietetics
- Accumulate 900 hours of supervised, documented dietetics practice under the supervision of a registered, licensed dietitian
These mandates of the state of Indiana mimic the CDR’s requirements for national registration of dietitians. Under CDR rules, you must complete an educational program that has been accredited by the Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics, or ACEND. You must complete coursework and a supervised dietetic practice experience. There are various types of educational programs available in Indiana, including:
Didactic Program in Dietetics (DPD) – This type of program provides coursework only, and leads to a degree in nutrition and dietetics (while this degree may be undergraduate or graduate, keep in mind that as of January 1, 2024, the CDR will require that all registered dietitians have a master’s degree). In Indiana, there are 4 DPDs as of July 2022.
Dietetic Internship (DI)- If you complete a DPD, it must be followed by a DI. This is a dietetic practice experience of at least 1000 hours, supervised by a registered dietitian. There are 3 DIs in Indiana as of July 2022.
Coordinated Program in Dietetics (CP)- This type of program integrates coursework with a supervised dietetic practice experience lasting a minimum of 1000 hours. There are 4 CPs in Indiana as of July 2022.
Graduate Program (GP)– A graduate program is like a coordinated program in dietetics, but at the graduate level. It includes coursework and a supervised practice experience and results in a graduate degree at the end of the program. As of July 2022, there is one GP in Indiana.
Use this link to find programs in Indiana that fit your needs (link to Registered Dietitian Schools).
The Commission on Dietetic Registration Exam in Indiana
You will next take the CDR’s RD examination (link to page on exam). Thoroughly read the Registration Examination for Dietitians Handbook for Candidates for more information on the application process and the examination itself.
You will take the exam at Pearson VUE testing centers. The fee is $200, payable online. In Indiana, Pearson VUE testing centers are located in Indianapolis, Fort Wayne, Terre Haute, and Merrillville.
You will be given your score on the day of the exam. If you pass, the CDR will mail your registration card to you. If you fail, you can retake the exam in 46 days.
Registered Dietitian Licensure Process in Indiana
It is now time to begin the application process for licensure as a registered dietitian in Indiana. Go online to MyLicense.IN.gov to begin this process. Complete the online application and pay the $20 application fee via debit or credit card. Allow 48 hours for your application to be received and reviewed. Someone from the state office will reach out to you if further details or documentation is needed.
If you have questions about the application for licensure process in Indiana, call (317) 234-2060 or email [email protected].
Your dietetic license in Indiana is renewable on even years. You must complete 30 hours of continuing education during each licensure period. You will be given notice by mail 90 days before your license is due to expire. Renew online and pay the $20 renewal fee.
Dietitian Salaries in Indiana
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) reports there are 1240 nutritionists and dietitians working in Indiana, with an annual median wage of $59,720, as of May 2021. Those in the top 25th percentile earn an annual median wage of $64,240, while those in the top 10th percentile earn $78,230.
Dietitians working in various parts of Indiana make salaries higher or lower than the state’s annual median wage. For example, those employed in Fort Wayne make $60,110 annually; while registered dietitians working in the Indianapolis/Carmel/Anderson area earn $60,850 per year.
Jobs for Dietitians in Indiana
Another good way to study salaries of registered dietitians in Indiana is to see what current job openings are offering as compensation. The following jobs were advertised as open in July 2022 in Indiana for registered, licensed dietitians:
- Wellness Dietitian, Riverview Medical Group – Noblesville, IN
- Salary: $61,700 to $78,100/year
- Need RD and LD credentials
- Dietitian, Indianapolis Rehabilitation Hospital – Carmel, IN
- Salary: $57,500 to $72,700/year
- Need RD and LD credentials
- Educator, Diabetes, Southwest Indiana, Novo Nordisk – Evansville, IN
- Salary: $67,300 to $85,300/year
- Need RD and LD credentials
- Certified Diabetes Educator (CDE) or Certified Diabetes Care and Education Specialist (CDCES) preferred
- Need bachelor’s degree
- Need three years of diabetes clinical experience
- Dialysis Registered Dietitian, Dialysis Clinic, Inc.- Indianapolis, IN
- Salary: $57,400 to $72,600/year
- Need RD and LD credentials
- Need bachelor’s degree
- Need one year of clinical nutrition experience
- Renal care or dialysis experience a plus
- Registered Dietitian, Southern Indiana, CarDon and Associates Corp – Bloomington, IN
- Salary: $41,100 to $52,100/year
- Need RD and LD credentials
- Need bachelor’s degree
- Two years of long-term care experience preferred