Megan Boitano

Megan Boitano

Registered dietitian nutritionist Megan Boitano, MS, RD, helps dietitians leverage their expertise and generate income via creation and sale of online nutrition resources. She is the founder of Well Resourced Dietitian, a digital marketplace for dietitians to both sell and buy original, digital materials for use in their nutrition practices, including ebooks, handouts, presentations, webinars, worksheets and more.

40 Free CEUs for Dietitians: Your Ultimate Guide!

Are you down to the wire on your five-year renewal cycle and frantically googling “free CEUs for dietitians”? 

Calling all savvy dietitians ready to get more bang for your continuing education buck: this is your ultimate round-up of free CEUs for dietitians to collect those required hours, fast!

Gain the knowledge you need to stay on top of the research and best practices in your niche while staying on track with licensure, all while keeping your income, in the bank!

free CEU for dietitians topics

Registered dietitians are required to have a minimum of 75 hours of approved continuing education documented per each five-year cycle. And free CEUs are a great way to meet those requirements.

A few states have additional requirements, whether it is for hours to be documented with each year’s licensure renewal, or specific kinds of continuing education. Be sure to check with your state licensing board to ensure that you’re meeting your state-specific minimum requirements, long before the deadline. 

No matter your location or specialty, this post is your robust round-up of free CEUs: be sure to bookmark this article for reference. We have a curated list of 38 different opportunities, which includes the content covered, who the presenters are and how many hours are offered. Keep reading – one of these offers eight free CUEs for dietitians. 

Note: continuing education is tallied per hour or partial hour. These may be labeled as CEUs, CEs or CPEUs – all approved by the Commission on Dietetic Registration (CDR).

We’ll kick off our comprehensive roundup with our very own free CEU right here on RD2RD: Getting Started with Digital Products. This webinar is hosted by RD2RD founder Megan Boitano and guides fellow dietitians through crafting digital products for their own business needs as well as for selling on RD2RD. 

Next stop? The specific CEU that every dietitian must have, no matter their specialty: ethics!

Ethics CEUs

All RDs are required to complete continuing education related to ethics during each five-year cycle. The following courses are approved for this specific requirement, and as with everything listed in this post, they’re all free!

Code of Ethics – Do It Right – 1 hour

Dietitian 360 offers this free on-demand course covering the Code of Ethics and how registered dietitians can apply it to their work. It includes a video and a set of questions related to that content. This course expires 5/31/24.

Nutrition Business: Ethics and Legalities1 hour

Helm Publishing created this PDF article that covers topics like confidentiality of patient records, recommending dietary supplements, kickbacks, and more. Simply read the article and return the answer sheet and critical thinking questions via email, and you’ll receive your continuing education certificate. This CEU expires 5/31/24.

[Related: While it’s not free, our in-house ethics CEU is one of the best options for dietitians in online business – and it’s only $9.99. It covers topics like website essentials, email marketing, sponsored content disclosures, and more.] 

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General Nutrition CEUs

In this section, we have seven hours of CEUs for you to peruse; they apply to just about any niche or specialty. The rest of this article lists opportunities by discipline. You’ll be able to quickly scan the topics to find your perfect free webinar or course, all without spending a single penny. 

State Of The Plate: America’s Fruit & Vegetable Consumption Trends – 1 hour

Did you know that 9 out of 10 American adults do not eat enough fruits and vegetables each day? This Produce for Better Health webinar discusses trends in produce consumption, and more importantly, what registered dietitians can do to improve their intake.

The CEU Certificate is available directly under the video and is dated 3/23/21, so it should be eligible for your continuing education cycle as long as 2021 falls in your current 5-year range. If your cycle starts after that date, skip over this option.

Malnutrition & Obesity: The Dietetic Conundrum – 1 hour

In this on-demand webinar, dietitians will learn how to screen for malnutrition and best practices for nutrition support. This webinar features Louise Becroft, Australian registered dietitian. 

Teaching Clients the How and Why of a Flexitarian Eating Style – 1 hour

The flexitarian approach includes ample plant-based foods, but doesn’t completely restrict animal-based products. Learn how this eating pattern can be beneficial for certain health concerns, and how you can guide your clients. This webinar is approved for CEUs through 10/19/25.

Personalized Nutrition and Applications for Practice – 1.25 hours

There’s no one-size-fits-all approach to nutrition, and as such, the concept of personalized nutrition is becoming more popular. This webinar reviews the current research on personalized nutrition and practical applications for leveraging this field.

The Mediterranean Diet and the Immune System: What Are the Potential Effects? – 1 hour

Can the Mediterranean diet support immune health? Learn about how the food choices in this eating pattern may be immune-protective, in addition to their role in reducing the risk of chronic disease. This webinar is good through 5/3/26.

Low carb diets in dietetic practice – 1 hour

Do low carb diets improve weight? Are they good for blood sugar control? Are they sustainable? Get an update in the current research on these diets, including potential benefits for health.

Savvy Snacking: Tips & Trends to Optimize Nutrition – 1.25 hours

Many folks crave a good snack attack in their day, so how can RDs help them leverage those food choices for good health? Explore snack pairings and health benefits in this webinar.

Community and Culinary Nutrition CEUs

How Retail Dietitians Create Value with Mediterranean Family Meals – 1 hour

This continuing education opportunity is offered by Oldways, a food and nutrition non-profit. In this free dietitian CEU webinar, you’ll learn about the research supporting the Mediterranean Diet as well as how to connect with clients to implement the Mediterranean Diet for grocery store dietitians. Scroll down a little bit on the page of CEUs to find this particular option; the course is good through 3/9/24. 

Health Professionals’ Role in Fighting Hunger: Connecting People to Programs1 hour

With almost 12 percent of US households struggling with food insecurity, it’s essential to understand the various resources and programs available to help with hunger. This webinar reviews eligibility criteria and referral processes for key programs. Contact Dairy West to obtain your CE certificate after watching.

From Kitchen to Clinic: Practical Applications of Culinary Medicine – 1 hour

Take a deep dive into the culinary medicine movement! Discover the definition of culinary medicine, how this approach can reduce chronic disease risk, and explore practical applications via a sample cooking demonstration. Learn how to bring this style of education into your practice. This webinar is approved though 5/23/24.

Breaking the Cultural Code: How to Counsel the Hispanic Population – 1 hour

With an increasingly diverse population, it’s important to practice cultural competency in any setting. This webinar will teach you about the different Hispanic groups living in the United States, how to respect and celebrate cultural foods, and how to make appropriate recommendations. This CEU is good through 5/31/24.

Research Updates on African Heritage Diets – 1 hour

Discover the culinary influences of the African Diaspora, and how these traditional African heritage foods can improve health. This webinar will help you better support clients’ cultural preferences. After watching the video, email [email protected] to receive your CEU certificate.

Exploring Traditional and Emerging Functional Ingredients – 1.25 hours

Food companies and culinary dietitians are exploring functional ingredients in products and recipes. Learn about these types of ingredients, their benefits, and practical applications.

smoothie bowl topped with fresh fruit and gold spoon next

Women’s Health CEUs

Women, Wellness, & Menopause: The Role of Nutrition & Fitness for Optimal Health – 1 hour

This on-demand webinar offers best practices for the management of hot flashes, trouble sleeping, mood swings, and other symptoms of menopause and perimenopause. After watching the recorded webinar, contact sponsor Dairy West to receive your continuing education certificate.

Fertility and Pregnancy: What Role Does Nutrition Play? – 1 hour

How can nutrition impact egg quality? What ways can diet impact pregnancy complications? Get these questions and more answered in this free webinar.

Gut Health and Microbiome CEUs

Practical applications of the low-FODMAP diet in clients with IBS – 1 hour

Did you know that IBS affects 15% of the population? IBS expert Kate Scarlata, MPH, RDN, LDN guides dietitians through best practices for using the low-FODMAP diet for your patients with IBS.

Gut Health Symposium: How can dietitians lead the way in managing gut health? – 0.75 hours

This presentation has a wide range of helpful tips about gut health, from the latest research on foods that support a healthy gut to sample case studies to the relationship between gut health and eating disorders. Note that while there are multiple presenters and topics, only Dr. Tim Crowe’s presentation is eligible for the CEU credits.

Decoding Prebiotics Using a Patient-Centered Approach – 1 hour

You probably know that prebiotics can be beneficial for the gut microbiome – but what exactly constitutes a prebiotic? How can this information be translated into practice to support gut health? Learn all that (and more!) in this webinar, which is good through 5/31/24.

All About Gut Health: Understanding the Role of Prebiotics, Probiotics, and Postbiotics – 1 hour

Prebiotics, probiotics, postbiotics – oh my! Learn about the differences between each of these topics and how they impact the microbiome. This webinar also covers how lifestyle habits, like sleep and exercise, affect gut health. This CEU is good through 9/26/24.

Clinical Nutrition CEUs

Best Practices in Nutrition Focused Physical Exam – 1 hour

Are you practicing the nutrition focused physical exam in your clinical setting? Learn how to make connections between the NFPE and malnutrition, potential deficiencies, and functional status. This course expires on 5/31/24.

A Case-Based Exploration of Exocrine Pancreatic Insufficiency – 1 hour

Get a deep dive into pancreatic insufficiency with this free CEU. Learn about the pathophysiology of exocrine pancreatic insufficiency, diagnostic approaches, and management strategies. This course expires on 5/6/24.

Bariatric Surgery Series – 1.75 hours

Over a 4-part webinar series, you’ll get a deep dive into the qualifications for bariatric surgery, evidence to support its use, and pre- and post-op guidelines. This is sponsored by Abbott.

Enteral Tube Feeding 101 – 1 hour

Need a good clinical refresher for enteral feeding? This is the CEU for you! Discover indicators and contraindications for enteral feeding, classifications for enteral formulas, and different types of feeding methods.

Wound Module Series – 3 hours

This three part series from Abbott covers the following topics: Part 1 – Understanding Chronic Wounds, Part 2 – Pressure Injuries and Management of Chronic Wounds, and Part 3 – Chronic Wounds and Nutrition. You’ll need to register for each part individually, but the courses all parlay together into a comprehensive look at the topic (and 3 CEUs total!).

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Pediatric Nutrition CEUs

When Reflux Becomes Complicated: Interventions for a Breastfed Infant – 1.25 hours

Reflux is one of the most common nutrition issues in breastfed babies. But how do you know what’s going and when to intervene? Discover best practices in this case-study style webinar.

Pediatric Iron Deficiency – 1.25 hours

As the most common nutrition deficiency in children, iron deficiency is something every pediatric practitioner should brush up on. This webinar discusses nutrient-related anemias and how to prevent iron deficiency.

A Review of Key Changes to the New USDA Pediatric Feeding Guidelines – 1 hour

Did you know that the 2020 Dietary Guidelines included recommendations by life stage for the first time? Get a deep dive into these new recommendations along with helpful tips about allergen introduction during infancy. This course expires on 12/2/24.

Probiotics and Preterm Infants: Do We Need More Research or Action? – 1 hour

Get an up-to-date look at the current research on probiotic use in preterm infants, and discuss outcomes from real world interventions using probiotics in the NICU.

Beyond Recommended Dietary Intakes: Understanding Bioavailability and the Importance for the Growing Child – 0.5 hours 

You might know the RDAs inside and out – but what happens when poor bioavailability affects certain micronutrients? In this webinar from Abbott, you’ll learn factors that affect bioavailability and how to ensure growing children get the nutrients they need.

Metabolic Flexibility and the Role of Carbohydrates, Protein, and Fat Balance on Pediatric Obesity – 1 hour

Metabolic flexibility is a buzzword in the nutrition field these days, but what exactly does it mean? Learn more about this concept and its importance in healthy growth for children.

AFRID in Young People: Unlocking a Dietitian’s Role – 1 hour

Avoidant restrictive food intake disorder (ARFID) can significantly limit the foods a child or young adult is willing to eat. Discover how imporant an RD is to the treatment of this condition, and practical strategies for meeting nutrition requirements.

Do you work with families in your business? We have 12 Healthy Food Activities for Preschoolers That Everyone Will Enjoy that you can use for your next preschool workshop. There are a range of ideas to try, all with a focus on exploring and enjoying healthy foods. 

Geriatric Nutrition and Long Term Care CEUs

Healthy Aging: Beyond the Usual Advice to Eat Well and Stay Active1 hour 
Dr. Christine Rosenbloom, PhD, RDN, FAND, showcases the role of glycemic control on disease development and immune function with aging in this free webinar. You’ll also learn more about the role of the gut microbiome in older adults. This course expires on 9/22/24.

Nutrition in older adults during COVID-19 times – immunity, isolation and food: advice and practical solutions – 1 hour

Registered dietitian Ngaire Hobbins guides listeners through the evidence of why older adults are more susceptible to COVID-19 and the seasonal flu. Dietitians will learn strategies to support older adults, both in the community and in a long-term care facility.

Berries, Bioactive Nutrients, and Brain Health1 hour

Did you know more than 16 million people in the US are living with cognitive impairment? This number is only predicted to rise with the growth of the aging population. Learn more about the role that the MIND diet and berry intake may play in maintaining healthy brain function as we age. This course expires 1/11/25.

The Nutrition Professional’s Guide to IDDSI: Prepare & serve a quality diet for people with dysphagia 1 hour

If you’re working in a long term care setting, you’re probably well aware of concerns surrounding dysphagia. Learn more about specific foodservice techniques that can be used to create appealing and delicious meals for individuals on different levels of a dysphagia diet. This course expires on 5/6/24.

Long Term Care Regulatory Updates: What you need to know to pass survey – 1 hour

Working with older adults in a long term care setting? Learn more about the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) State Operations Manual Appendix PP, survey process, and changes to the US Food Code. This is key info for smooth sailing on your survey! Webinar expires on 1/19/26.

Malnutrition…Sarcopenia…Dysphagia…Are you making the clinical connections? – 1 hour

Many older adults suffer from malnutrition and sarcopenia – but are you screening these patients for dysphagia as well? Learn more about how these conditions are connected and best practices for working with older adults. This webinar is good through 5/31/24.

Hydration and Older Adults: Why It Matters and How to Manage It – 1 hour

Dehydration is incredibly common among older adults, which can negatively impact overall health. Learn about the signs of dehydration and tips on managing it in the elderly, with a special discussion on specific advice for managing hydration in those with dementia.

If you are  wondering what it is really like to work as a long-term care dietitian…and how to get started? This comprehensive guide is for you! Long-Term Care Dietitians: Responsibilities, Resources, and Tips provides the latest resources for working in long term care.

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Sports Nutrition CEUs

The Female (and Male) Athlete Triad: Updates, Nutrition Implications and Screening Tools to Prevent Low Bone Mineral Density – 1 hour

This webinar is sponsored by Dairy West and features Kim Schwabenbauer, MS, RD, CSSD as host. This on-demand presentation covers the nutrition implications and health issues associated with the female and male athlete triad and the updated evidence-based parallels in males.  After watching the recorded webinar, contact Dairy West to receive your continuing education certificate.

Stress Fractures in Athletes: How to Prevent and How to Treat? The Balance of Returning to Sport and the Need for Safe Healing – 1 hour

Overuse injuries are becoming more and more common in young athletes. This webinar discusses signs of potential injury with the guidance on when to seek professional care. After watching the recorded webinar, contact Dairy West to receive your continuing education certificate.

An Update on Beta Alanine Supplementation for Athletes – 1 hour

Discover the latest research on beta alanine supplementation and performance enhancements in athletes. This is a self-study article with an accompanying test. When you visit the Gatorade course catalog, simply search for this title, read the article, and then click the “take test” button. This course expires on 6/23/24.

Dietary carbohydrate and the endurance athlete: contemporary perspectives – 1 hour

Want to know the latest on the role of carbohydrates and exercise performance? This is the self-study course for you. This is another Gatorade-sponsored course which requires reading an article and taking the accompanying test (search for the title of the article when you arrive on the page with all the CEU options). This course expires on 3/31/24.

Almonds: Food for Fitness – 1 hour

This webinar, sponsored by the Almond Board, discusses emerging research on how almonds may support exercise recovery and reduce fatigue. Watch the webinar then fill out the short survey to claim your CEU credit. (There are multiple sponsored webinars on this site; scroll down to find the fitness one.)

If you’re looking for the most robust training available to dietitians for sports nutrition, you’re going to want to run, not walk to this blog post: Everything You Need to Know About Becoming a Certified Specialist in Sports Dietetics (CSSD)

And if you’d like to compare the training and expectations of the CSSD credential to other certification programs available, this blog post The Best Sports Nutrition Certifications (and a Few to Skip) covers several great options as well as a few to skip. 

Intuitive Eating and HAES CEUs

Six Simple Steps to Using Mindful Eating with your Clients – 1.5 hours

This article demonstrates how to utilize mindful eating techniques with your clients. Gain confidence in talking about hunger and fullness cues, and discuss techniques your clients can use to recognize and respond to hunger. This CEU is only free through 8/31/21, but will be available for purchase beyond that.

Are you considering the CEDRD credential and not sure if it is the right fit for you? Our blog post Everything You Need to Know About Becoming a CEDRD covers the ins and outs of this rigorous credential. 

Hearing more about Intuitive Eating and not sure what it is exactly? No worries, our blog post What Does an Intuitive Eating Dietitian Actually Do (and Is It Right for You?) lets you better understand this approach to nutrition practice. You’ll feel more informed and confident about Intuitive Eating (IE). It is possible you’re already using aspects of IE without even knowing it!

Food Systems and Sustainability CEUs

Understanding Food Waste: Opportunities for Impact – 2 hours

One of the easiest ways for consumers to both save money on food and help create more sustainable food systems is to reduce food waste. This self-study course will help you identify where food waste occurs throughout the food system and how to help clients reduce their own food waste. This course expires on 5/31/24.

Show Me, Don’t Tell Me: Dairy Innovations for a Sustainable Future – 1 hour

This webinar, sponsored by the National Dairy Council, discusses innovation in the dairy industry to create a more sustainable future. Learn more about the on-farm practices and industry technology being used to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, improve water use, and reduce food waste. This webinar is good through 4/30/24.

Food for a Healthier Planet: Expert Panel on Sustainability and Nutrition – 1 hour

In this Oldways CEU, Dr. Walter Willett discusses the science and connections between human and planetary health. Sharon Palmer, RD, then gives practical strategies to help your clients embrace more sustainable eating patterns. Scroll down on the Oldways page to find this webinar, and email them to receive your CEU certificate.

Addressing the Intersection of Sustainability and Nutrition: Guidance for Your Practice – 1.25 hours

Explore the intersection between sustainability and nutrition in this 75-minute webinar from PepsiCo. Discover tools to help patients make more sustainable food choices.

Business CEUs

How to grow your business: Attracting clients online – 1 hour

In this on-demand webinar, Libby Rothchild, RD shows RDs how to attract their dream clients without a needing website. It is all about showing up with consistent, targeted messaging on Instagram 

Monetize Your Expertise with Digital Products– 1 hour

RD2RD founder Megan Boitano, MS, RDN guides fellow entrepreneurs through best practices of making effective digital products. Learn how to craft new products and optimize sales. 

Expert Tips for Crave-Worthy Food Photography – 1 hour

Trying to improve food photos on your blog or social profiles? Get expert tips in creating those gorgeous photos that draw people in! From styling to photographing to editing, you’ll get all the must-knows in this webinar. Scroll down on the page to find it, and follow the instructions for emailing Oldways to receive your CEU certificate.

Sharing Your Good News Folder – 1 hour

If you’ve ever felt some imposter syndrome in starting your business or working with clients, this is a must-watch webinar. Learn more about why we feel imposter syndrome and how we can overcome that self doubt. Mindset is such an essential part of business!

Getting your private practice started? You won’t want to miss our blog post: 10 Essentials for Starting Your Booming Nutrition Private Practice. This article covers how to specify your ideal client, which software programs to consider using and legal considerations to protect yourself. 

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Even more free CEUs for dietitians

Preceptor Training  – 8 hours

The Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics offers a complimentary training program for RDs to become preceptors to dietetic interns. The continuing education opportunity is a self-based course aimed to empower RDs to confidently host dietitian students and interns. 

Blog post: Precepting Interns as a Private Practice Dietitian 

Journal Articles – 1 hour per article

Members of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics have the benefit of free CPE for reading journal articles and passing the associated quiz. Each new issue of the Journal offers a few hours of CPE. While membership is not free, this is a robust benefit if you do choose to become a member. 

Free CPE for Academy Members – varies

From current trends in food allergies to managing diabetes at home, the Food and Nutrition Magazine from the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics has a plethora of CEU articles. Just read and answer the CPE quiz.

Registered Dietitians (RD / RDN) Free CEU Forum – varies

Join more than 5,000 members of this active Facebook group whose sole purpose is to share free continuing education opportunities for dietitians. 

Siggi’s Sessions – varies

Siggi’s yogurt offers free CEU opportunities to dietitians who make a complimentary account on the Siggi’s website.

Sound Bites Podcastvaries 
Listen to various episodes of the Sound Bites Podcast, take a quick quiz, and earn free CEUs!

Free CEUs for dietitians: key takeaways

These days, free continuing education for dietitians are aplenty – you just have to know where to look. Are there any opportunities that we missed? Comment below!

And if you have been considering listing your first product on RD2RD, why not watch our Getting Started webinar: not only does it share best practices to make the most sales, it also garners you an hour of free CPE. That’s a win-win webinar!

Be sure to save this post for later: this roundup will be sure to save your wallet while propelling your knowledge forward. What’s better than being able to skip one more business expense?

Getting Started with Digital Products

We’ve got our very own free CEU right here on RD2RD.  This webinar is hosted by RD2RD founder Megan Boitano and guides fellow dietitians through crafting digital products for their own business needs as well as for selling on RD2RD.

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2 comments

  1. Hi Megan. This is a great post! Quite a few of the CEUs have expired. Maybe it’s time for a 2022 update? Thanks for your hard work. It’s appreciated.

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