Australian APD
This information is intended for individuals who are registered as an Accredited Practising Dietitians (APD) in Australia.
If you are registered as Dietitian in Australia but do not hold an APD status, you must follow the instructions for Internationally-Educated Dietitians.
Mutual Recognition
If you are an APD registered with the Dietitians Australia (DA), you are deemed to meet the academic and practical training requirement for registration with the College of Dietitians of Ontario, provided that:
- At the time that you apply, you are still registered as an APD and a member in good standing with the DA.
- Your registration with DA is not in a restricted category, such as student, graduate, qualifying, honorary, retired, inactive, associate, or special.
Getting Started
Before you begin your application with the College there are two important steps you must take:
- Add the College’s domain (@collegeofdietitians.org) to your email service’s safe senders list (also called white list). The College sends many important communications by email (some of them automated). If your email provider blocks the automated emails or sends them to your junk folder, you may not receive important information about your application.
- Review the information on this page about the registration requirements and required documents to ensure that your application is complete and you have arranged for all documents to be sent to the College.
For any questions, please email registration@collegeofdietitians.org.
Response Timelines: Registration staff will respond to your inquiry (received by email or phone) within five (5) business days. We appreciate your patience.
Required Documents
The following is a list of the documents that are required with your application form. Some documents must be sent directly to the College by a third party (for example Dietitians Australia). Make sure you plan for these documents to prevent any delays in the application process.
NOTE: During the COVID-19 pandemic, all College staff are working remotely until further notice. You may email your completed application form and proof of authorization to work in Canada directly to: registration@collegeofdietitians.org.
Please request institutions to send all other documentation such as transcripts, practicum completion letters, language proficiency test results, etc. directly to the College at: registration@collegeofdietitians.org.
Any mailed documentation must be sent via regular mail (not registered mail). All mail will be routed by Canada Post to an alternate address. DO NOT deliver any documentation to the College office by hand or by courier service, as no one is there to receive it.
Important Note:
Registration Program staff are available to answer questions about the application process and required documents, however, registration decisions are made by the Registrar and/or the Registration Committee. Registration Program staff cannot tell you whether or not you meet the requirements or predict whether you will be eligible for registration with the College.
Application Form
Please note the following important information about submitting your Application Form:
- The Application Form may be sent by email to: registration@collegeofdietitians.org;
- Review your form to make sure you have completed and signed all sections of the form. If any section of your application form is incomplete, you will be required to submit a new form.
- All applications are processed in the order in which they are received.
Australian APD Supplemental Form
The Australian APD Supplemental Form provides information required by the College under the terms of the agreement with Dietitians Australia (formerly Dietitians Association of Australia). By signing this form, you are also providing consent for DA to share information about your registration and your dietetics education and training with the College. You may email completed supplemental form to: registration@collegeofdietitians.org.
Under the terms of the agreement with DA (formerly DAA), there are a number of resources that you are required to read. Those resources are listed on the Australian APD Attestation Form for Reading Resources. You must sign this form once you have reviewed all of the required resources and email (completed form) to: registration@collegeofdietitians.org.
Official Transcripts
The College will request DA to provide copies of all transcripts they have on file. If the DA does not have a transcript for each post-secondary institution you have attended, you must arrange for the official transcript(s) to be sent directly to the College by the education institution.
This includes transcripts related to:
- Your dietetics degree;
- Any other degrees or courses; and
- Any other post-secondary institutions you have attended.
Important Information about Transcripts
- You can submit official transcripts that have been provided to you by your university if the transcripts are provided unopened with a university seal on the envelope.
- The College accepts electronic transcripts delivered through a secured university site and/or directly from universities via password-protected or secured PDF files.
- Please request transcripts to be sent directly to registration@collegeofdietitians.org.
- If the transcript related to a degree does not state that the degree was conferred or awarded, you must arrange for the University to provide an official letter confirming that all degree requirements have been met. This letter must also be sent directly to the College from the University to registration@collegeofdietitians.org.
Name Change Information
If your official transcripts are under a different name than the one you are currently using, you must enclose proof of your change in name with this application (e.g. document showing your old name (i.e. marriage certificate) and a government issued ID showing your current name (i.e. driver’s license, passport). You may email proof of name change documentation to: registration@collegeofdietitians.org.
Current Dietetic Knowledge and Skills
If you have not practiced as a dietitian in Australia or another jurisdiction for a minimum of 500 hours over the three preceding years before the date of your application to the College, while being registered with another dietetic regulatory body, you will be subject to Policy 3-30: Assessing Currency for Applicants.
If you are required to demonstrate currency, you cannot obtain a Temporary Certificate of Registration until you have completed the currency requirements.
Proof of Authorization to Work in Canada
Authorization to work in Canada is one of the requirements for registration with the College. You must provide proof of authorization to work in Canada which permits you to practice dietetics in Canada. You may email proof of authorization to work in Canada to: registration@collegeofdietitians.org.
You are a Canadian Citizen
Provide proof by submitting a copy of one of the following documents:
- Canadian Birth Certificate;
- Canadian Passport; or
- Canadian Citizenship Certificate or Card.
You are a Permanent Resident of Canada
Provide proof by submitting a copy of your Permanent Resident Card.
You have a valid work or study permit
Your work or study permit authorizes you to practice dietetics in Canada. Provide proof by submitting a copy of your Work Permit.
You do not have a work permit yet.
You can request a formal letter from the College to confirm that you have met all the other registration requirements but will not be eligible for registration until you provide formal proof of authorization to work in Canada.
Registration Requirements
Once the College has received all of the required documents, your application will be assessed to determine whether you meet the requirements for registration. See Registration Requirements for detailed information about each of the requirements.
Submit your Application
Once your application form is complete, email it along with any supporting documents to registration@collegeofdietitians.org. Once your application form is received you will be instructed on how to pay all required fees.
NOTE: During the COVID-19 pandemic, all College staff are working remotely until further notice. You may email your completed application form and proof of authorization to work in Canada directly to: registration@collegeofdietitians.org.
Please request institutions to send all other documentation such as transcripts, practicum completion letters, langugae proficiency test results, etc. directly to the College at: registration@collegeofdietitians.org.
Any mailed documentation must be sent via regular mail (not registered mail). All mail will be routed by Canada Post to an alternate address. DO NOT deliver any documentation to the College office by hand or by courier service, as no one is there to receive it.
Your application ID and temporary password
When your application is received and we have opened your file, you will receive a confirmation email which will include your application ID and a temporary password.
Monitor the progress of your application online
Use your ID and password to access the CDO Applicant dashboard to monitor the progress of your application. On the dashboard, you will see:
- the status of your application
- a list indicating which documents have been received
- a list showing which documents are still outstanding to complete your application.
When we have received all required documents and fees, we will proceed with the review of your application.
Your application status and documents received are updated every day.
Application Processing Timelines
Completing the registration process can take from five to 10 business days from the time that the College receives all of the required documents, but this is a guideline only. It is the applicant’s responsibility to ensure the timely delivery of all documentation and other information requested by the College.
Answering “yes” to certain questions on the declaration means the College may require additional information to support your application. This information will be reviewed by the College’s Registrar and, in some cases will be referred to the Registration Committee, which will extend the time it takes to process your application.
Factors that may delay the processing of your application include:
- Failing to complete and sign all sections of the application form;
- Delays in receiving required documents from DA;
- Failing to provide transcripts for post-secondary education which not on file with DA;
- Information about your conduct or health that may require further review and follow-up;
- Failing to produce other documents requested by the College.
Canadian Dietetics Registration Examination (CDRE)
The CDRE is a non-exemptible requirement. This means that you must pass the CDRE in order to become eligible for registration. To be eligible to write the CDRE, you must be assessed by a provincial regulatory body to have met the education and practical training requirements. Click here for more information about the CDRE.
Practising as a Dietitian in Ontario
Only members of the College can practise as a dietitian in Ontario using the titles “dietitian,” “Registered dietitian (RD),” “Dietetiste (Dt.P),” or “Dietetiste Professional (Dt.P).”
It is illegal for anyone to use any of these titles in Ontario without a valid certificate of registration issued by the College.
Your status as an RD informs the public that all individuals who identify themselves as dietitians have the knowledge, skill and judgment required to provide safe and ethical dietetics care.
If you wish to begin practicing dietetics while you wait for the result of the CDRE, you have the option of applying for a Temporary Certificate of Registration. See Temporary Class for more information.