Registration Policies

Policy Name:  1-10 Application Files to Committee

Established:  January 23, 1998
Reviewed:
Revised:  August 23, 2000, January 31, 2003, April 20, 2007, April 30, 2013, March 17, 2017, October 4, 2023

Policy Statement

The College is committed to ensuring that application files referred to the Registration Committee are reviewed in a timely manner, while still ensuring that panel members have sufficient time to complete a thorough review and assessment.

Procedure

1. Application files will be uploaded to the College’s secure file-sharing platform) 10-14 days prior to the date of the Registration Committee meeting to ensure that panel members will have at least two weekends in which to review the application files. 
2. Files will be referred to the committee in the order in which they are deemed complete and ready for review.
3. The College will make every reasonable effort to ensure that a file is referred to the next Registration Committee meeting if it has been deemed complete on or before the date that the agenda is finalized, and files are uploaded to the secure file-sharing platform.
4. In exceptional situations (e.g., the unexpected absence of committee members, urgent policy items that must be reviewed, or an unusually large number of applications), some files may need to be deferred to a later meeting.
5. In a situation where the committee must defer the review of one or more application files, the Chair of the Registration Committee will either organize an ad hoc meeting for a panel to review the additional files, or defer the files for review at the next Registration Committee meeting. 
6. In determining whether to set a separate panel review meeting, the Chair of the Registration Committee will consider the following:
   • The consequence of the delay for the applicant (e.g., will it mean delay in writing the next exam).
   • The number of files being deferred,
   • Availability of committee members, and/or
   • The committee budget.

Policy Name:  1-20 Time Limitation on Open Application Files Before Committee

Established:  January 23, 1998
Reviewed: April 24, 1999
Revised:  September 16, 2000, March 17, 2001, July 6, 2002, July 2009, April 30, 2013, March 17, 2017, October 4, 2023

Policy Statement

Once an application has been assessed by a panel of the Registration Committee and additional information is required, a time limit will be established for the receipt of the information from the applicant.

Procedure

1. Registration staff will notify the applicant, in writing, of the information requested and the due date, and will monitor the file. 
2. Registration staff will consider a written request by the applicant to extend the deadline for submitting the required additional information.
3. If the applicant informs the College that they will not/cannot provide the additional information and requests that the assessment proceeds, the panel of the Registration Committee will complete the assessment of the file in the absence of the requested information. *
4. If the applicant fails to respond to the College’s request for additional information, the file will be closed according to the established administrative file closure time-lines and written notice of the file closure will be sent to the applicant.
5. Once the file is closed, if the applicant wishes to continue the application process later, they must submit a new application to the College.

Policy Name:  1-30 Communication with Applicants

Established:  January 23, 1998
Reviewed:
Revised:   March 10, 2000, April 17, 2004, April 30, 2013, March 17, 2017, October 4, 2023

Policy Statement

The Registration Committee does not ordinarily meet or correspond directly with an applicant and/or their representative.

Procedure

1. All communications with an applicant and/or their representative will ordinarily be conducted through College staff.
2. If an applicant contacts a Registration Committee member directly, they should be referred to College staff.
3. College staff will inform the entire Registration Committee that an applicant has contacted a committee member directly.
4. College staff will follow-up with the applicant.

Policy Name:  1-50 Successful Completion of Academic and Practical Training Requirements

Established:  January 23, 1998
Reviewed:
Revised:   April 17, 2004, April 30, 2013, March 17, 2017, October 4, 2023

Policy Statement

In assessing whether an applicant meets the registration requirements for academic and practical training, the College considers “successful completion” to mean that the applicant has successfully completed the academic and/or practicum requirements of a program, even if they have not yet been awarded the degree or certificate of completion at the time of their application to the College.

Procedure

1. Academic Programs and Combined Academic/Practicum Programs (e.g., Coordinated or Stage).

• • Applicants will be required to submit an official transcript directly from the university which indicates that the degree has been conferred or that the student is eligible for convocation.
  • If the applicant’s official transcript does not make it clear that all requirements of the program have been successfully completed, a letter of verification of completion of the program must be sent directly to the College by the university, stating that the applicant has completed the requirements of the program and the expected date of convocation.

2. Practicum Programs

• • A letter of verification of completion of the program must be sent directly to the College from the practicum program for non-academically affiliated programs.
  • Where a practicum program is affiliated with an academic institution, applicants must submit an official transcript from the university which verifies program enrollment.
  • If the applicant’s official transcript for the practicum program does not make it clear that all requirements of the program have been successfully completed, a letter of verification of completion of the program must be sent directly to the College, stating that the applicant has completed the requirements of the program and the expected date of convocation.

Policy Name:  1-80 Second Application While a Prior Decision is Under Appeal

Established:  January 20, 2000
Reviewed:
Revised:  March 17, 2001, July 6, 2002; April 30, 2013, March 17, 2017, October 4, 2023

Policy Statement

If the College identifies a situation where an applicant has both an active application with the College while they are appealing a previous decision from a panel of the Registration Committee, the College will proceed with the current application and notify the Health Professions Appeal and Review Board (HPARB).

Procedure

1. Once a decision is rendered to an applicant, the panel of the Registration Committee is finished with that decision.
2. Registration staff will notify the HPARB case manager if the College receives notice that a current applicant has submitted an appeal to HPARB, or if the College receives an application from someone who is known to have already submitted an appeal to HPARB.
3. The panel of the Registration Committee will proceed with the assessment of the new application and render a new decision. 
4. The College will notify the applicant of their right to appeal the new decision.  

Policy Name:  1-90 Panel Composition

Established:  May 9, 2008
Reviewed:
Revised:  June, 2008, June 2009, April 30, 2013, March 17, 2017, October 4, 2023

Policy Statement

The Chair of the Registration Committee will ensure an appropriate balance of public board directors and registrants of the profession when assigning panels for registration decisions.

Section 17(2) of Schedule 2 of the Regulated Health Professions Act, 1991 specifies that each panel must have a minimum of three members, including at least one public board director.

Procedure

1. Registration staff will draft a panel assignment template in consultation with the Chair of the Registration Committee.
2. The Chair of the Registration Committee must approve the final panel assignments.
3. Registration staff and the Chair of the Registration Committee will ensure that each panel includes at least one public board director and at least one registrant of the profession.
4. Registration staff and the Chair of the Registration Committee will ensure that the third member of the panel will be a registrant of the profession for any application that will involve reviewing or assessing practicum submissions against entry-to-practice or currency standards.
5. For all other applications, the third member of the panel may be either a public board director or a registrant of the profession.

Policy Name:  2-11 Approving Supervisory Dietitians

Established: October 24, 2003
Reviewed:
Revised: March 27, 2004; November 13, 2009; June 11, 2014; July 18, 2014; December 8, 2017; February 3, 2020, October 4, 2023

Policy Statement

The College reserves the right to approve the dietitians who:

• supervise and evaluate applicants completing practical training experiences for submission to the College; and
• supervise temporary registrants who were unsuccessful on the registration examination on their first attempt.

Dietitian supervisors are approved based on information that confirms competence and good standing with the College. Dietitians may be requested to supervise:

• placements related to the requirements set out in section 6(1)1, 6(1)2, or 6(2) of the registration regulation (refers to academic and practical training),
• supervision of temporary registrants as set out in section 10.1.i. of the Registration Regulation (refers to supervision requirements for temporary registrants who are unsuccessful on the registration examinations on their first attempt and wish to continue practicing dietetics), or
• applicants who require upgrading after an unsuccessful attempt of the registration examinations for a second time.

This policy does not apply to the supervision of students within accredited dietetic practical training programs, which may be subject to the programs’ individual requirements.

Dietitians should refer to the College’s Guidelines for Supervising Learners, as well as any policies, guides, or other reference materials for information about the specific documentation and performance expectations for each of the various supervision roles.

Procedure

1. The dietitian who provides the direct supervision and evaluation of the applicant/temporary registrant during a placement is the supervisor. The supervisor is responsible for observing the applicant/temporary registrant and for providing honest objective feedback about the applicant/temporary registrant’s performance against the relevant standards and/or learning objectives.
2. The applicant/temporary registrant will submit the names and College registration numbers of each supervisor.
3. The following are the criteria that the College will use to determine whether to approve the supervisor:

a.  At the time the supervision occurred, the supervisor MUST:

1. 1. be a general registrant with the College or another Canadian dietetic regulatory body,
   2. have recent experience (within three (3) years prior to the start of the supervised placement) in the dietetic practice area covered in the placement, or provide evidence of continuing education within that area of practice satisfactory to the College,
   3. be familiar with the College’s Jurisprudence and Professional Practice Resources, relevant legislation, and organizational policies relevant to the particular practice setting, and

b.  At the time the supervision occurs, the supervisor MUST NOT currently be the subject of a referral to:

1. 1. the Quality Assurance (QA) Committee for non-compliance with the College’s QA program requirements,
   2. the Inquiries, Complaints and Reports Committee (ICRC), and/or
   3. the Discipline or Fitness to Practise Committees.

c.  At the time the supervision occurs, the supervisor also MUST NOT:

1. 1. have been issued an oral or written reminder/caution/warning from any College Committee within one (1) year preceding commencement of supervision,
   2. be currently completing a Specified Continuing Education or Remediation Program (SCERP),
   3. have been the subject of a finding of professional misconduct, incompetence, or incapacity of either the Discipline or Fitness to Practise Committee within five (5) years preceding commencement of supervision,
   4. have any terms, conditions, or limitations (TCLs) on their certificate of registration, except those applicable to all certificates of that class of registration,
   5. have signed a voluntary undertaking preventing them from practising dietetics, and/or
   6. be in a conflict of interest (COI), as verified by the College through a signed COI declaration form.

d.  If the supervisor becomes the subject of a referral to any College committee as outlined in 3(b) above, during the period of supervision, the registrant will be required to cease supervision.

4. It is the responsibility of the applicant/temporary registrant to ensure that their supervisor(s) review this policy and meet all eligibility criteria.
5. Dietitians must be candid with prospective supervisees about whether they meet the criteria in this policy and must not agree to supervise an individual if they do not meet the criteria.

Policy Name:  2-25 Suitability to Practise for Applicants

Established:  April 4, 2022
Reviewed: 
Revised: November 28, 2025

Policy Statement

In the interest of public protection, the previous conduct of applicants for registration must afford reasonable grounds for the belief that they will practise dietetics in a safe and ethical manner. As authorized by section 3 of the College’s registration regulation, the College collects information about an applicant’s prior conduct, including, offences, academic history, previous/current professional licensure, and relevant health conditions.

This policy sets out the criteria for determining an applicant’s suitability to practise.

CRITERIA

1. The Registrar (or the Registration Committee) will consider the following factors when determining suitability to practise:

a. The nature and seriousness of the conduct;

b. The timing and duration of the conduct;

c. The motivation for the conduct, if known;

d. Whether the matter occurred while practising the dietetic profession, or as a regulated professional in another profession;

e. Whether an individual or the public may be put at risk of physical, mental, or other harm;

f. Whether there had been any remediation undertaken by the applicant;

g. Whether the applicant demonstrated insight, remorse, and accountability;

h. Whether there is a pattern of behaviour or an isolated event;

i. Whether the matter suggests discrimination, disregard or disrespect for people based on a ground protected by the Human Rights Code (race, colour, ancestry, creed (religion), place of origin, ethnic origin, citizenship, sex (including pregnancy, gender identity), sexual orientation, age, marital status, family status, disability, receipt of public assistance); and

j. Any other relevant information.

Policy Name:  2-30 Competency Standards and Accrediting Bodies

Established:  January 23, 1998
Reviewed:  July 6, 2002
Revised¹:  April 30, 2013, December 14, 2015, January 23, 2023, June 16, 2023, December 15, 2023, September 5, 2025

Policy Statement

Consistent with the Registration Regulation, the competency standards recognized by the College are the Integrated Competencies for Dietetic Education and Practice (ICDEP).

For the purposes of section 6 of the Registration Regulation, the Board approves Education Quality Accreditation Canada (EQual) as the accreditation body for academic and practical training programs in Canada.²

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Footnotes
¹Revised previously: April 30, 2013, December 14, 2015, January 23, 2023, June 16, 2023, December 2023.
²The College transitioned to Equal accreditation in March 31, 2024, due to the wind down of the previous accreditation body, PDEP.

Policy Name:  2-80 Authorization to Work in Canada

Established:  May 6, 2019
Revised: December 3, 2019, November 28, 2025

Policy Statement

As per section 3(1)3 and 4(3)1 of the Registration Regulation:

To obtain and maintain registration with the College, applicants and registrants must provide evidence that they are a Canadian citizen or permanent resident of Canada or hold a valid work or study permit authorizing practice in dietetics.

Evidence of authorization to work in Canada is not required to be eligible to write the Canadian Dietetic Registration Exam.

Certificates of Registration will expire when registrants are no longer authorized to work in Canada.

Policy Name:  3-10 Verification of Dietetic Practice Established:  May 6, 2000 Reviewed: Revised:  May 7, 2004, March 17, 2017, March 8, 2019, November 23, 2020, October 4, 2023

Policy Statement

The practice of dietetics can vary between jurisdictions. The College confirms that an applicant’s previous dietetic practice falls under the College’s Definition of Practising Dietetics, for two purposes:

1. To assess the currency of their dietetic knowledge and competence, and

2. To determine whether they have a history of good character and conduct.

As per Policy 3-30 Assessing Currency for Applicants, the College will confirm the applicant has been registered as a dietitian in another jurisdiction and has practised safely as a dietitian in that other jurisdiction for a minimum of 500 hours within the three years immediately before the date of the application.

Procedure

1. Applicants will provide information about previous/current registration as a dietitian in another jurisdiction and will declare the number of dietetic practice hours in that jurisdiction over the preceding three years on their application form. 2. The College will confirm the applicant’s previous/current registration and good standing with the respective regulator(s):

a. For applicants currently/previously registered with another Canadian dietetic regulatory body, the applicant is required to contact the respective regulatory body to request the completion of the Canadian Labour Mobility Verification Form to be sent directly to the College.

b. For applicants currently/previously registered with a dietetic regulatory body outside Canada, the applicant is required to contact the respective regulatory body to request the completion of the College’s Verification of Registration Form [contact registration@collegeofdietitians.org to obtain this form] to be sent directly to the College.

3. The College will confirm the applicant’s dietetic practice hours over the preceding three years through:

a. A current résumé or Curriculum Vitae (CV), and

b. Employment Verification, sent directly to the College.

4. Where an applicant is engaged in private practice, the applicant will provide:

a. a description of the dietetic service(s) provided,

b. dates of the service (to/from),

c. reason for termination of service (as applicable),

d. the average number of hours of dietetic practice per week, and

e. Private Practice Verification Forms from three former clients.

Policy Name:  3-30 Assessing Currency for Applicants

Established:  April 23, 1999
Revised:  May 6, 2000, April 17, 2004, May 9, 2008, April 2014, June 1, 2018, February 3, 2020, November 23, 2020, May 30, 2022, January 23, 2023.

Policy Statement

The College of Dietitians of Ontario is responsible for developing, establishing, and maintaining the standards of qualifications for persons to be issued certificates of registration. The College considers that ensuring the currency of an applicant’s dietetic knowledge, skills, and judgement is in the public interest.

The requirements for ensuring the currency of an applicant’s knowledge, skills and judgement are set out in Section 6.(2) of Ontario Regulation 72/12 (Registration):

2. Completed additional graduate program(s) (outside of fulling the requirements of 6(1)) at the masters, doctorate, or post-doctoral fellowship level in nutrition (or related field to the dietetic profession) that satisfies the Registration Committee* within the three preceding years prior to application;

*The Registration Committee will use the following criteria in evaluating whether an applicant’s graduate program(s) meets the College’s currency requirements:

The graduate program(s) must be:

• • • • of a reasonable length (e.g., minimum 1 year)
      • focused on at least one core area of dietetic practice (nutrition care, population and public health, management)
      • supervised by a thesis supervisor or committee, or other similar oversight; and
      • practical or research-based, or contain a teaching component (i.e., did not only consist of course work), or the applicant participated in one or more research/teaching assistantships.

5. Satisfied the requirements in section 6(2) of the Registration Regulation.

Applications will be assessed on an individual basis, considering the following principles:

1. Current demonstration of knowledge, skills, and judgement as defined in the national competency standards (the Integrated Competencies for Dietetic Education and Practice, or ICDEP);
2. Length of time since last practice;
3. Quality and quantity of efforts to maintain currency while not practicing;
4. Flexibility in terms of options for applicants to demonstrate ongoing competence;
5. The Canadian Dietetic Registration Examination (CDRE) is a non-exemptible requirement. An applicant who has never successfully completed the CDRE is required to write the exam, regardless of the applicable option required/selected to demonstrate currency; and
6. Once an applicant has successfully demonstrated their currency as outlined in this policy, they must meet all other non-exemptible registration requirements in order to be eligible for registration with the College.

If an applicant has met the academic and practical training requirements as set out in section 6(1) but is unable to demonstrate the College’s currency requirements as outlined above, they will be subject to the following, applicable to the applicant’s circumstances:

Procedure

A. Registered with a dietetic regulatory body and practising dietetics for less than 500 hours over the preceding three years prior to the date of application;

B. Not registered with a dietetic regulatory body, but practising dietetics for 500 or more hours over the preceding three years prior to the date application;

C. More than 3, but less than 10 years prior to the date of application since:

• • Last registration with a dietetic regulatory body;
  • Completion of academic/practical training required under section 6(1) of the Registration Regulation;
  • Completion of additional graduate program(s) (outside of fulling the requirements of 6(1)) at the masters, doctorate, or post-doctoral fellowship level in nutrition (or related field to the dietetic profession) that satisfies the Registration Committee, within the three preceding years prior to the date of application); or
  • Last dietetic practice.

1. Where the applicant has not practised a minimum of 500 hours over the preceding three years, or the gap since the applicant’s completion of academic/practical training or last dietetic practice has been more than three years, but less than 10 years, the applicant will have two options for demonstrating the currency of their dietetic knowledge, skills and judgement:

A. Last registration with a dietetic regulatory body;

B. Completion of academic/practical training under section 6(1) of the Registration Regulation; or

C. Completion of additional graduate program(s) (outside of fulling the requirements of 6(1)) at the masters, doctorate, or post-doctoral fellowship level in nutrition (or related field to the dietetic profession) that satisfies the Registration Committee, within the three preceding years prior to the date of application); or

D. Last dietetic practice.

1. Where the applicant falls under A. B. C. or D. above, the applicant must complete the College’s Prior Learning Assessment and Recognition (PLAR) process to demonstrate the currency of their dietetic knowledge, skills, and judgement. PLAR Process for Demonstrating Currency image below.

2. If the applicant successfully completes the PLAR process, the applicant is deemed to have met the requirements set out in section 6(2)a of the Registration Regulation.

PLAR Process for Demonstrating Currency

Policy Name:  4-20 Applicants from Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics (ACEND) Accredited Programs

Established:  March 20, 1998
Reviewed:  April 17, 2004
Revised¹: September 5, 2025

Policy Statement 

This policy provides a pathway to registration for applicants who have completed specified training in the U.S. Applicants who don’t meet the criteria will be required to successfully complete the PLAR assessments. 

Completion of Education and Training in the U.S. 

Applicants with the following academic and practical training, and who hold current RD licensure to practice through the U.S. Commission on Dietetic Registration (CDR), will be deemed to have successfully completed the prior learning assessment and recognition (PLAR).²

A. For degrees obtained before August 31, 2025:

1. 1. ACEND accredited dietetics degree and ACEND accredited dietetic internship; or 
   2. ACEND accredited coordinated dietetics degree; or 
   3. ACEND accredited dietetics bachelor’s degree and ACEND Future Education Model graduate program.

B. For degrees obtained after August 31, 2025:

1. 1. ACEND accredited dietetics bachelor’s degree and ACEND Future Education Model graduate program.³

Combined Canadian and U.S. Education and Training 

Applicants with the following combinations of U.S. academic training, coupled with Canadian practical training completed in the three years preceding the application, will be deemed to have successfully completed the (PLAR): 

1. ACEND accredited dietetics degree and Canadian accredited practical training; or 
2. Canadian accredited dietetics degree and ACEND accredited dietetic internship completed prior to August 31, 2025; or 
3. Canadian accredited dietetics degree and ACEND accredited Future Education Model graduate program.

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Footnotes
¹ June 10, 2000, October 26, 2012, April 30, 2013, June 1, 2018, October 7, 2019, November 23, 2020, March 22, 2021, April 5, 2023, December 15, 2023.
² As per section 6(1)2 of the Registration Regulations.
³ Programs accredited under the Future Education Model are considered comparable to the 2020 ICDEPs.

Policy Name:  4-25 Recognition of “Dietitians Australia” Accredited Practising Dietitians

Established:  April 3, 2024
Reviewed:
Revised: September 5, 2025, November 28, 2025

Policy Statement

This policy provides a pathway to registration for applicants who are currently registered with Dietitians Australia and hold full Accredited Practising Dietitians (APDs) status.

 

Applicants who don’t meet the criteria will be required to successfully complete the Prior Learning Assessment and Recognition process assessments.

 

Applicants who are currently registered with Dietitians Australia and received full Accredited Practising Dietitians (APDs) status prior to January 1, 2026, are deemed to have successfully completed the College’s Prior Learning Assessment and Recognition process^[1].

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Footnotes

¹ As per paragraph 6(1)2 of the Registration Regulation.

Policy Name:  4-50 Language Proficiency

Established:  January 23, 1998
Reviewed: April 30, 2013
Revised:  May 5, 2000; February 10, 2001; June 10, 2001; April 17, 2004; May 12, 2006; September 27, 2006; December 14, 2015; February 3, 2020; May 17, 2021, November 28, 2022, January 31, 2024, April 3, 2024

POLICY STATEMENT

As per section 3(1)4. of the Registration Regulation, “The applicant must possess sufficient language proficiency, in either English or French, to be able to communicate and comprehend effectively, both orally and in writing.” In determining an applicant’s language proficiency, the College may consider reasonable, objective evidence of proficiency in English or French as an alternative to formal language testing. Language proficiency test results are presumptive only and may be insufficient on their own where there is other evidence of language proficiency concerns.

Procedure

1. Some of the circumstances that the College may consider as evidence of English or French language proficiency include, but are not limited to:

• The language of instruction in primary, secondary, and/or post-secondary schooling. Applicants demonstrating language proficiency through post-secondary schooling must submit a transcript from a university or college with degree granting authority, indicating successful completion of a program that is at least one academic year in duration.
• The primary language spoken in the area or region where the applicant grew up, particularly if the applicant certifies that this language was also the primary language in their household.
• The results of any previous language testing of the applicant. The fluency of the applicant’s written and oral communications with the College during the application process.

2. Where there is insufficient objective evidence of language proficiency in either English or French from the above sources, the applicant must provide language testing scores as described below.

English

Proficiency must ordinarily include:

• Language assessment from Test of English as a Foreign Language – Internet Based Test (TOEFL – iBT), International English Language Testing System (IELTS – General or Academic (including IELTS One Skill Retake)), Canadian English Language Proficiency Index Program – General (CELPIP – G), Pearson Test of English (PTE), or Occupational English Test (OET).

The minimum acceptable scores are as follows:

	TOEFL (iBT)	IELTS-General	IELTS-Academic	CELPIP-G	PTE	OET
TOTAL	79	6	6.5	7 (CLB* Level)	Not Applicable	Not Applicable
Listening	15	6	6	7	60	300
Writing	13	6	5	7	69	300
Reading	15	6	6	7	60	300
Speaking	26	6	8	7	68	350

*CLB: Canadian Language Benchmark

French

Proficiency must ordinarily include:

• Language assessment from Test d’évaluation de français pour le Canada (TEF Canada) or Test de connaissance du français pour le Canada (TCF Canada).

The minimum acceptable scores are as follows:

	TEF Canada	TCF Canada
TOTAL	7 (NCLC* Level)	7 (NCLC* Level)
Listening	249	458
Writing	310	10
Reading	207	453
Speaking	310	10

*NCLC: Niveaux de compétence linguistique canadiens

3. Language proficiency test results remain valid if the test was taken within two (2) years before the date of application to the College.

Policy Name:  5-30 Upgrading After a Second Failure of the CDRE

Established:  November 20, 1999
Reviewed: April 30, 2013
Revised:  July 6, 2000, March 17, 2001, October 24, 2003, March 6, 2009, February 18, 2011, April 30, 2014, June 8, 2015, December 14, 2015, November 9, 2018, June 5, 2020, October 5, 2020, October 4, 2021, November 28, 2022

Policy Statement

An applicant who has failed the Canadian Dietetic Registration Examination (CDRE) twice must successfully complete upgrading before applying to re-write the CDRE for a third and final time. The upgrading will consist of academic and/or practicum upgrading as determined by the applicant’s previous CDRE results and a self-assessment of learning needs. A proposed upgrading plan must be sufficiently detailed to demonstrate how the upgrading activities correlate to the candidate’s lower-performing examination areas and self-identified learning needs. While completion of upgrading after a second failure of the CDRE is intended to assist a candidate to best prepare, it does not guarantee success on a candidate’s third and final attempt of the exam.

Procedure

1. The applicant must submit a completed Self-Assessment of Upgrading Needs After a Second Failure of the CDRE.
2. A panel of the Registration Committee will review and approve the applicant’s Action Plan for Upgrading After a Second Failure of the CDRE, prior to the applicant commencing the upgrading.
3. The applicant must ensure that all supervising dietitians have reviewed Policy 2-11: Approving Supervisory Dietitians. All Supervising dietitians must complete the form here to confirm they are in compliance with Policy 2-11 prior to commencing a supervisory arrangement.
4. The applicant will request any supervising dietitian(s) to submit the Verification of Practicum Upgrading Completion Form, directly to CDO, confirming the length of each practicum placement in hours, and the practice competencies and associated performance indicators that were covered during the placement.
5. The applicant must submit evidence of completion of their Action Plan for Upgrading After a Second Failure of the CDRE,
6. The Director of Registration will confirm that the applicant’s upgrading action plan has been sufficiently completed. The applicant will then be deemed eligible to attempt the CDRE for a third and final time.
7. The upgrading action plan must be completed within three (3) years prior to the date of the applicant’s final CDRE attempt.

Policy Name:  5-40 Approval of Supervision Plans for Temporary Registrants Following First Failure of the Canadian Dietetic Registration Examination

Established:  June 2012
Revised: April 30, 2013; January 2016; October 7, 2019, June 5, 2020, January 25, 2021, January 23, 2023.

Policy Statement

As per section 10.1.i of the Registration Regulation, a Temporary Registrant who fails the Canadian Dietetic Registration Examination (CDRE) on their first attempt will automatically have a term, condition, or limitation (TCL) imposed on their certificate of registration. The TCL requires that the Temporary Registrant shall only practise the profession under the supervision of another registrant who holds a General Certificate of Registration and who has agreed, in writing in the form provided by the Registrar, to supervise the applicant and be responsible for ensuring that the applicant provides appropriate care to clients. The following criteria will be used by the Registrar, or their delegate, in approving the supervision plan:

1. The Temporary Registrant’s employer (if applicable) confirms approval of the proposed supervisory arrangements.
2. The supervisor is in compliance with the criteria outlined in Policy 2-11: Approving Supervisory Dietitians.
3. The plan for supervision includes the following:
   • An assessment of risk in the registrant’s work environment;
   • Direct observation of the registrant’s practice;
   • Ongoing availability for feedback/guidance about non-routine situations; and
   • Routine review of the product of the registrant’s practice.

Procedure

1. The registrant will be given 21 days from the date that the exam results are received to submit a supervision plan for approval. An extension to this deadline may be granted by the Director of Registration, if the employer or supervising dietitian confirms that planning is well underway.
2. The plan will outline how the supervision will address the following elements:
   • An assessment of the risk in the registrant’s work environment – The employer and the supervising Registered Dietitian (RD) will provide an analysis of the risk assessment that will consider:
     1. the nature of the client group in the work environment;
     2. practice activities the Temporary Registrant is responsible for that pose a risk to the public if not done competently; and
     3. the work environment (e.g., legal ethical requirements of the work environment; variability/predictability of the client group; does the registrant work in isolation or are their colleagues to consult or collaborate with?).

The plan should outline how the results of the risk analysis have been considered and addressed in the development of the plan. Exam results provided by the Temporary Registrant may also be considered.

• • Direct observation of the registrant’s practice –The plan will include a means for the supervising RD to directly observe the Temporary Registrant in practice (with specific emphasis on identified areas of risk). The direct observation may be in person or virtual during the initial phase of the supervisory arrangement, and may take place through other means of communication as the plan progresses and the supervising RD is assured of safe practice. The plan should ensure that the supervising RD is able to:
    • Access the required documentation/information within the Temporary Registrant’s organization (this includes measures to ensure both the mechanics of access, as well as any confidentiality/consent arrangements);
    • Directly observe the Temporary Registrant in practice to identify strengths and limitations in practice, including the Temporary Registrant’s communication skills; and
    • Provide feedback, guidance, and mentorship to confirm areas of competence and to help strengthen areas of weakness.
  •  Ongoing availability for feedback and guidance regarding non-routine situations -The plan will identify how the supervising RD will be contacted if the Temporary Registrant requires feedback or guidance about a non-routine situation. This should include access to all relevant client information as well as the method of communication between the Temporary Registrant and the supervising RD.
  • Regular Review of the Temporary Registrant’s Practice –The plan will outline how the supervising RD will review the product of the Temporary Registrant’s practice on an ongoing basis.

The “product of the registrant’s practice” will vary depending on the area of practice. For example:

a medical record	a program plan
a menu	a program evaluation report
policy & procedure	an educational resource
a budget variance report	an education session (or the slides for the presentation)

The frequency of the review will be determined after the initial period of direct observation. This regular review may decrease in frequency as the supervising RD becomes satisfied with the Temporary Registrant’s demonstration of competence. At a minimum, the regular review should continue on a monthly basis, unless the supervising RD documents significant evidence confirming the Temporary Registrant’s demonstration of competence. The review should include a regular evaluation of documentation with a focus on:

1. Evaluating progress with respect to the Temporary Registrant’s identified areas for improvement, with reference to the Entry-Level Competencies.
2. Ensuring sound dietetic process (e.g., assessment, planning, implementation, and evaluation), especially in areas of risk that that have been identified for the work environment.
3. Evidence of clear communication.