Canadian Dietetic Registration Examination

The Canadian Dietetic Registration Examination (CDRE) is a four-hour, online remote-proctored multiple-choice exam required by every Canadian province, except Quebec. The exam is offered twice a year, in the spring and fall. The next opportunity to write the CDRE will be on November 5-6, 2026.

The fee for the Canadian Dietetic Registration Examination (CDRE) is going to increase from $600 to $750. The change will take place beginning with the November 2026 sitting.

This is first fee change in five years. The increase reflects the rising costs of exam administration, technology and exam development. It will ensure the exam remains high-quality, secure and sustainable over time.

CDRE fees are set on a cost-recovery basis. They are similar to entry-to-practice exam fees across comparable health professions.

Please start your application process early to ensure you meet the College’s deadline dates.

To qualify for the exam, you must apply to be a member of the College, meet all the requirements for membership, and receive confirmation that you are eligible to write the exam. Click here for information on applying to the College.

• A candidate must successfully complete the examination within four years of being deemed eligible. 
• An applicant who fails the exam on the first attempt may write it a second time. 
• An applicant who fails on the second attempt is not eligible to continue in the examination process without further education and training and a new application to the College. 
• A candidate may attempt the exam no more than three times.

If you have a disability, temporary disability or a special condition and wish to request a special accommodation, you must request this in writing by the examination application deadline. The request must be from a regulated health professional, who is specialized in assessing individuals with the type of disability or special condition.

A request for accommodation related to breastfeeding does not require documentation from a regulated health professional, but a written request outlining the accommodation is required.

Please refer to Appendix D ‘CDRE Candidates Requiring Accommodation’ within the CDRE Preparation Guide for the complete procedure and process on requesting an accommodation.

• The CDRE is a computer-based, multiple-choice exam.
• Candidates will take the CDRE from their personal computer via an online remote-proctored process.
• It is written over four hours, divided into 2 two-hour parts with a 15-minute break between part 1 and part 2.
• The CDRE is bilingual. Candidates will be able to view all questions in both English and French.

Candidates seeking to write the CDRE may review and check the technology requirements HERE. Once scheduled to take the exam, you will be able to log into an account where you will be able to test your technology’s ability to connect with the online remote proctor system.

Candidates should test the internet connection at the testing station you intend to write the CDRE. Ensure you have the recommended minimum internet speed to ensure optimal performance during the examination. If your speeds are lower than what is recommended, please find a better internet connection prior to the beginning of your examination. You can test your connection speed using one of the following two sites:

• http://beta.speedtest.net
• https://fast.com

For any questions, please email registration@collegeofdietitians.org.

Response Timelines: The registration team will respond to your inquiry (received by email or phone) within five business days. We appreciate your patience until we respond to your inquiry.