Q: How much does it cost to register with SDA?
A: All applicants pay a $105 file application fee. In the temporary licence category, you pay by the month. The cost is $27.50/month to a maximum of 3 months. Licensing fees for the full practicing licence category are $330 for the full licensing year and $165 half year rate if after October 1. If you resign from SDA before October 1, you are eligible to receive a refund of half of your licensing fee. If you are writing the Canadian Dietetic Registration Exam, there is a $600 exam fee.
Q: Why are there late fees?
A: A late fee is charged when SDA membership renewals are received after March 31. Since the license to practice expires on March 31, renewals need to be received on time to ensure there is no gap. A late fee helps to ensure renewals arrive on time and if they don’t, it offsets the administrative costs involved.
Q: What is a Temporary Licence?
A: A Temporary Licence is limited to full practising dietitians in good standing with a Canadian dietetic regulatory body who require licensure with SDA for a short period of time (not exceeding three months). For example, a dietitian from another province who provides virtual nutrition counselling in Saskatchewan to residents of Saskatchewan would need to obtain a temporary licence to practice in Saskatchewan.
Q: What is a Restricted Licence?
A: A Restricted Licence is granted to candidates who have completed all appropriate education and training as outlined in the bylaws and are registered to write the Canadian Dietetic Registration Examination (CDRE). A restricted Licence entitles the individual to use the designation Graduate Dietitian, Professional Dietitian (Candidate), Registered Dietitian (Candidate), RD (candidate) or P.Dt. (candidate) and to practice dietetics up to 12 weeks after the Member has written the CDRE.
Q: Can a member with a Restricted Licence call him/herself a Registered Dietitian?
A: A member with a restricted licence must sign their correspondence and refer to themselves as a Graduate Dietitian, Professional Dietitian (Candidate), Registered Dietitian (Candidate), RD (candidate), P.Dt.(candidate) until they pass the Canadian Dietetic Registration Exam. With successful completion of the exam, a restricted member will receive a Full Practicing License, and can call him/herself a Registered Dietitian (RD) or Professional Dietitian(P.Dt.).
Q: I am applying for registration with SDA from another country. What do I need to do?
A: There are a number of steps involved in becoming licensed with SDA. Contact the Registrar to find out about the assessment process for applicants trained outside of approved dietetic education programs. Click here to find out more information about the English language proficiency requirements.
Canadian Dietetic Registration Exam
Q: Who must write the Canadian Dietetic Registration Exam (CDRE)?
A: As of October 1, 1998 it became mandatory for Dietitian Candidates to write the Canadian Dietetic Registration Exam in all provinces in Canada, except Quebec. With successful completion of the exam, a member with a Restricted License will receive a Full Practicing License and can call him/herself a Registered Dietitian.
Q: Does my application for a Restricted Licence automatically register me for the Canadian Dietetic Registration Examination (CDRE)?
A: Once you have been granted a Restricted License you will receive a letter stating the conditions of the Restricted License and that you have been accepted to write the CDRE at its next sitting (Spring or Fall). Dietitian Candidates will be required to complete the CDRE registration form and pay the $600 exam fee which is not included in your application or licensing fees. The fee for writing the CDRE is collected by SDA and forwarded to the Alliance of Canadian Dietetic Regulatory Bodies, the organization that develops and administers the exam.
Q: If I am a member of SDA and move to another province, will I be required to write the Canadian Dietetic Registration Exam?
A: If you have written and passed the exam, you will not need to re-write it if you move to another province, provided that you are a licensed member of SDA in good standing.
Moving to Another Province
Q: I am moving to another province, how do I register with that province’s dietetic regulatory body?
A: The contact information for the other Canadian dietetic regulatory bodies can be found on the Links section of SDA website. Contact the regulatory body in the province to which you are moving for the most up to date information on their registration process (eg. criminal record check, mandatory liability insurance). It is important to apply for licensure with the other regulatory body prior to resigning from SDA. If you have any questions or concerns when applying with another regulatory body, please contact the SDA Registrar.
Q: If I move to another province or resign half way through the year, will I be refunded any of my SDA licensing fees?
A: If you resign prior to October 1st you will be refunded ½ of your licensing fee. If you resign after October 1st you will not be refunded.