Licensing route

Prior Learning Assessment and Recognition (PLAR) — internationally educated dietetics route

College of Dietitians of Ontario (CDO)

Assesses existing dietetics knowledge and practical competence toward registration requirements; qualifying applicants progress through KCAT and a practical-assessment or accredited-practicum route.

Good for: I studied nutrition or dietetics abroad. How do I find out whether I can become a registered dietitian in Ontario?

Where do I start? ↓

Checked October 20, 2026 How we check information

At a glance

Delivery: Online
Cost: Confirm cost with provider
Who can access it: Assessment can precede work authorization. Registration requires proof of authorization permitting dietetics practice in Canada; a permit's actual conditions matter.
Intake: Current intake not confirmed

Dated policy accepts English or French and allows specified Level 2 remediation; older instructions say English-only and use narrower Level 2 wording. Obtain CDO clarification before acting.

01 / Start here

Your first steps

Use CDO's orientation/self-assessment and confirm whether PLAR or a recognized US/Australian route applies.
Ask Registration to confirm acceptable language evidence, the next assessment date and the stage appropriate to your education and KCAT result.
Arrange the specified WES/transcripts and practical-training evidence before submitting the PLAR application; choose extra courses only after assessment guidance.

Applications are processed for the next available KCAT, but the page still lists September 9, 2026 KCAT and June 24, 2026 PBA sittings. Both are past; the next dates/deadlines require confirmation.

Visit provider ↗

02 / Check the fit

Requirements and limits

Policy 6-10: a dietetics-related bachelor's degree covering nutrition care, population health promotion and food provision; or a science bachelor's plus at least two completed university-level years in dietetics with those subjects.
PBA eligibility requires qualifying practical training/recognition and KCAT Level 1 within three years, or Level 2 plus CDO-approved additional training. A Level 1 applicant may instead seek an accredited Canadian practicum.
Provide the required academic/practical-training evidence. Foreign university education normally requires WES ICAP course-by-course evaluation, except regionally accredited US university education.
English or French proficiency under Policies 6-10/4-50; approved educational evidence may suffice. One testing option is CELPIP-General 7 in each skill, within two years.
CDRE eligibility follows the approved education/practical route and remaining registration requirements; the PBA route also includes Critical Care Nutrition, and CDO lists JKAT completion.

Assessment can precede work authorization. Registration requires proof of authorization permitting dietetics practice in Canada; a permit's actual conditions matter.

Important limits and details to confirm

Dated policy accepts English or French and allows specified Level 2 remediation; older instructions say English-only and use narrower Level 2 wording. Obtain CDO clarification before acting.
PLAR does not itself authorize practice; registration and the national examination remain separate.
Recognized US and Australian routes have additional qualification/date conditions; do not assume every foreign dietitian needs PLAR.

Location

Ontario registration pathway; the most recently advertised assessments were remote.

03 / Understand the commitment

Costs and possible funding

Application $185; KCAT $425; PBA $2,300. CDRE is listed at $600, increasing to $750 for November 2026. WES, translations, language tests, courses and registration fees may add costs. These are separate charges, not a complete tuition package; tax treatment is not stated.

Windmill Microlending career loan (loan, conditional external lead): Credential-assessment and exam expenses may fit an approved newcomer loan plan. Approval and eligible amounts are individual; this is repayable financing, not a PLAR grant.

04 / Check with the provider

Sources and where to get help

Use the provider’s official starting page to ask about your situation. Published information was checked on October 20, 2026; the provider must confirm current availability and personal eligibility.