Do You Need to Choose CDR Competencies from Every Sphere? Here's What RDs and DTRs Should Know

When it comes to maintaining your credentials through the Commission on Dietetic Registration (CDR), understanding the Essential Practice Competencies is critical. But many dietitians and dietetic technicians ask the same question:

“Am I required to select performance indicators from every competency sphere?”

The short answer is no—but here’s what you are expected to do, and why it matters for your continuing education strategy.

What Are the CDR Competency Spheres?

The CDR’s Essential Practice Competency Framework is divided into six broad categories, or “spheres,” that reflect key areas of professional practice for Registered Dietitians (RDs) and Dietetic Technicians, Registered (DTRs). These are:

1. Ethics and Professionalism
2. Communications
3. Leadership and Career Development
4. Clinical and Customer Services
5. Practice Management and Use of Resources
6. Critical Thinking and Research

Each sphere contains multiple competencies, which are further broken down into performance indicators. When building your Learning Plan, you choose performance indicators that reflect your current or future areas of practice.

Are You Required to Choose Indicators from All Six Spheres?

No. RDs and DTRs are not required to select performance indicators from each of the six spheres.

You are expected to:

• Select competencies and performance indicators that are relevant to your current role, practice setting, or career goals.
• Use those selections to guide your continuing education activities over your 5-year recertification cycle.
• Complete at least 1 CPEU in ethics or health equity, which typically falls under Sphere 1: Ethics and Professionalism.

Example Scenarios

• A clinical dietitian may choose indicators primarily from:
  • Sphere 4: Clinical and Customer Services
  • Sphere 6: Critical Thinking and Research
• A school nutrition DTR may focus on:
  • Sphere 2: Communications
  • Sphere 5: Practice Management
• An RD in a leadership role might select:
  • Sphere 3: Leadership and Career Development
  • Sphere 1: Ethics and Professionalism

There’s no single right way to build your plan—it’s designed to be customizable and practice-specific.

Why the Spheres Matter

Even though you’re not required to choose from all six spheres, understanding them helps you:

• Build a targeted Learning Plan that supports your professional growth.
• Select continuing education courses that align with your practice and will count for CPEUs.
• Prepare for CDR audits or recertification reviews, where your continuing education activities must match the performance indicators in your plan.

This competency-based approach ensures that continuing education is purposeful and relevant—not just a box to check.

Key Requirement: Ethics or Health Equity

Regardless of your Learning Plan selections, all credentialed practitioners must complete at least 1 CPEU in either ethics or health equity during each 5-year cycle. This is a universal requirement and typically aligns with Sphere 1.

At AllDietitians.com, we clearly label all ethics and health equity courses, so you can easily fulfill this requirement while choosing content that fits your specialty.

Final Thoughts

The CDR’s competency framework is designed to help you grow intentionally in your profession. You’re not expected to be a generalist across all six spheres—you’re expected to develop in the areas that are most relevant to your work.

At AllDietitians.com, we offer CDR-approved continuing education courses with clearly defined performance indicators, so you can easily match your coursework to your Learning Plan. Whether you’re in clinical care, community nutrition, private practice, or management, we’re here to support your continuing competence.

Ready to explore courses that match your Learning Plan?
Browse our CDR-approved course library.