How Much Does It Cost to Become a Registered Dietitian in Ontario?
- Sandra Venneri
- Mar 30
- 8 min read
If you’re passionate about food, health, and helping others, becoming a Registered Dietitian (RD) can be a rewarding career path. However, before you dive into this field, it’s important to understand the financial investment required to earn your credentials.
In this post, we’ll break down the total cost of becoming an RD in Ontario—from tuition and training to licensing fees—and compare it to the cost of becoming a Registered Nurse (RN), Physiotherapist, or Medical Doctor (MD). We’ll also share tips on reducing costs and highlight how Nutrition Bites can help new grads with mentorship and training.
Note: All numbers are approximate and will be updated at times. Please check online at each institution for exact costs as each year they change their fees.
We will continue to update this post in order to add more details & reflect information to help make an informed decision.
🎓 Step 1: Undergraduate Degree (4 Years)
The first step to becoming an RD is earning a Bachelor of Science (BSc) or Bachelor of Applied Science (BASc) in Nutrition or Food Science from an accredited university.
💡 Estimated Costs:
Tuition (Ontario residents): $7,000 – $10,000 per year
Total tuition: $28,000 – $40,000
Books & supplies: $1,000 – $2,000 per year
Total books & supplies: $4,000 – $8,000
Living expenses (if living away from home): $15,000 – $25,000 per year
Total living expenses: $60,000 – $100,000
✅ Total cost for undergraduate degree:
Commuting students: $32,000 – $50,000
Living away from home: $90,000 – $150,000
💡 Tip: Save money by living at home during your undergraduate degree, if possible. Only certain universities have this specialized degree, so look beyond your own backyard (if you can afford it).
🛠️ Step 2: Practical Training (Internship or Master's with Practicum)
After earning your degree, you’ll need hands-on practical training through either:
An accredited dietetic internship, OR
A Master’s program with a practicum
These are highly competitive "seats" as Ontario is the only province in Canada to not offer an integrated undergraduate program to allow practicum experiences within their degrees. Other students from other provinces that did not secure one of these spots will also apply to Ontario programs to complete their requirements, reducing the chances for Ontario students.
💡 Accredited Dietetic Practicum Programs in Ontario:
In Ontario, Accredited Dietetic Practicum Programs are a crucial component of the path to becoming a Registered Dietitian (RD). These programs provide hands-on, supervised training in a variety of settings, including hospitals, community organizations, and private practice, allowing students to gain the practical experience required to apply their academic knowledge in real-world situations. The practicum typically lasts about 8-12 months and is a required step before sitting for the registration exam.
While the cost of the practicum varies depending on the program, students often face additional financial burdens due to the associated fees, travel, and sometimes relocation expenses. Since these programs are competitive and limited in availability, securing a spot can also be challenging, which further underscores the need for financial planning to navigate this important stage of becoming a Registered Dietitian.
Previously there were unpaid internships until 2014, yet this became an issue for federal labour laws and these have now been replaced with educational practicum programs overseen by universities and a few hospital systems. This has added to the total cost of becoming an RD yet the Ontario government and many insurance companies have not recognized this additional "education" requirement to reflect in financial compensation in wages/salary.
Application fees: ≈ $50-100 per program you apply to.
Transcript fees: $15-25 per institution you apply to.
✅ Post-Graduate Diploma (Practicum only) Program Costs:
Tuition: to be added
Practicum Fees (similar to co-op fees): to be added
Living expenses during internship: $15,000 – $25,000 (if unpaid)
Total cost for an internship:
Commuting students: $17,000 – $30,000
Living away from home: $25,000 – $40,000
✅ Master’s Pathway (with Practicum):
Many Ontario universities offer a Master’s in Applied Nutrition (MAN) or MSc in Nutrition with practicum, which combines coursework and internship.
💡 Estimated Costs:
Tuition: $8,000 – $15,000
Practicum Fees: $1,500-2,000 per semester
Living expenses: $15,000 – $25,000
Total cost: $25,000 – $40,000
💡 Tip: Some master’s programs offer paid teaching or research assistantships, helping offset costs. Yet, all programs are considered full-time and it is highly suggested by the institutions to not have a job while a post-graduate student.
📝 Step 3: Canadian Dietetic Registration Exam (CDRE)
Once you’ve completed your training & have completed all your degree requirements, you’ll need to pass the CDRE to become a licensed dietitian. Ontario was the first province in 1997 to have a regulatory exam. In 1998, all provinces except adopted having this exam and it was morphed into the CDRE.
Note: RDs licensed previous to this time were not required to take this exam. Again, an added checkpoint requirement to become a dietitian, AND COST not reflected in a jump in compensation.
💡 Estimated Costs (this will be updated soon):
Exam fee: $500 – $600
Study materials: We will post about this later.... spoiler alert, there are hardly any in existence!
✅ Total exam cost: $700 – $1,000
💡 Tip: Prepare early by reviewing practice questions and connecting with recent grads for study tips. Note: Every RD has agreed a non-disclosure promising to not share any of their knowledge of the exact test questions to ensure the integrity of the exam and the profession.
📑 Step 4: Registration & Licensing Fees
To officially practice as an RD, you must register with the College of Dietitians of Ontario (CDO).
💡 Estimated Costs (this will be updated soon):
Initial registration fees: Certificate of Registration $185 + 425
Optional - Temporary Registration/License (RD license while waiting to write CDRE): $120
Annual licensing fee: $654
✅ Total licensing costs: $1,000 – $1,300
💡 Step 5: Additional Costs
You may face other expenses such as:
Professional liability insurance: $50 – $150/year
Continuing education or conferences: Varies
Professional memberships (e.g., Dietitians of Canada): $260/year
💰 💡 Total Cost Breakdown: Becoming a Dietitian
The total cost to become an RD in Ontario depends on your path and living situation:
✅ Post-Graduate Practicum Path:
Commuting students: $50,000 – $80,000
Living away from home: $115,000 – $180,000
✅ Master’s Path:
Commuting students: $58,000 – $92,000
Living away from home: $117,000 – $192,000
⚖️ Cost Comparison: Dietitian vs. Other Health Professions in Ontario
✅ Registered Nurse (RN)
Path: 4-year BScN degree + licensing exam
Total Cost:
Commuting: $25,000 – $45,000
Living away: $60,000 – $100,000
Average Salary: $70,000 – $95,000
✅ Nurse Practitioner (NP)
Path: 4-year BScN degree + 2-3 years of advanced education (Master’s in Nursing or Nurse Practitioner program) + licensing exam
Total Cost:
Commuting: $60,000 – $90,000
Living away: $120,000 – $150,000
Average Salary: $95,000 – $120,000
✅ Physiotherapist (PT)
Path: 4-year BSc + 2-year master’s in physiotherapy + licensing exam
Total Cost:
Commuting: $60,000 – $90,000
Living away: $120,000 – $150,000
Average Salary: $80,000 – $100,000
✅ Medical Doctor (MD)
Path: 4-year undergrad + 4-year MD program + residency + licensing exam
Total Cost:
Commuting: $150,000 – $250,000+
Living away: $300,000 – $400,000+
Average Salary: $200,000 – $450,000+ (varies by specialty)
When comparing the financial commitment and salary outcomes for health professionals in Ontario, it's important to understand the differences in investment and earning potential (to be discussed in another blog post), especially when it comes to Registered Nurses (RNs), Nurse Practitioners (NPs), and Registered Dietitians (RDs).
RNs complete a 4-year undergraduate degree and can begin practicing immediately after graduation. The investment in education is significant, but it offers a relatively quicker return on investment with a stable salary range. Nurse Practitioners, on the other hand, require additional education—a master’s degree in nursing—making their overall investment in education comparable to that of RDs. However, NPs earn a higher salary due to their advanced practice role, reflecting their specialized knowledge and scope of work.
In contrast, Medical Doctors (MDs) face a much steeper financial commitment. The path to becoming an MD includes undergraduate studies, medical school, and residency, with costs that far exceed those of RNs, NPs, or RDs. The high salary potential of MDs, however, reflects this lengthy and expensive investment, offering a substantial return once they complete their training and specialize.
Physiotherapists, like RDs, require both an undergraduate degree and a master’s program, resulting in a significant investment of time and money. While their salaries are generally higher than those of RDs, they fall below the potential earnings of NPs or MDs, placing them in a middle tier when it comes to both education costs and salary expectations.
For aspiring Registered Dietitians, the financial investment in education and training is substantial but often more accessible than that of an MD or NP. While RD salaries tend to be lower than those in more specialized health professions, many RDs are drawn to the profession out of a passion for nutrition and improving health outcomes. Despite the financial challenges, RDs continue to invest in their education, demonstrating a strong commitment to making a meaningful difference in people’s lives through nutrition and wellness.
🎯 Key Takeaways: Dietitian vs. Other Health Professions
Cost: Becoming an RD is generally less expensive than physiotherapy or medicine, but slightly more costly than nursing.
Time Commitment: RDs typically require 5-6 years of education and training, whereas nurses need 4 years, physiotherapists need 6, and doctors need 8+ years.
Earning Potential: Dietitians earn a solid income (averaging $65,000 – $85,000 Canadian) but typically less than doctors or physiotherapists.
Return on Investment: Dietitians benefit from an optional shorter (post-grad practicum) and more affordable educational path compared to physiotherapists and doctors, making it a cost-effective healthcare career.
🚀 How to Reduce the Cost of Becoming an RD
💡 Apply for Financial Aid: Use OSAP, bursaries, and scholarships to offset tuition and living expenses.
💡 Work Part-Time: Consider jobs like nutrition assistants, dietary aides or diet clerks during your studies.
💡 Mentorship and Training: Get guidance from experienced RDs to avoid costly mistakes and fast-track your career success.
Special Note:
We acknowledge that the dietetics profession has historically faced fewer opportunities for job creation and support within the health system compared to other healthcare fields. However, there is a growing demand for dietitians, and as more students pursue careers in dietetics, we hope that the collective voice of the profession will strengthen advocacy efforts for increased funding. Specifically, we seek to advocate for funding models that not only support the education and professional development of dietitians but also reduce the financial burden faced by dietetic students (such as the expansion & addition of dietetic students to the Ontario Student Loan Forgiveness Program), making their educational journey more accessible, similar to the support available to nursing students.
🛠️ Get Mentorship and Training at Nutrition Bites
At Nutrition Bites, we’re excited to offer mentorship and training services for new dietitian graduates. Whether you need help preparing for the CDRE, guidance with clinical skills, or support in building your practice, we’re here to help you succeed.
👉 Contact us today to learn more about how we can help you launch your dietitian career with confidence!
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