Dietitians Board registration examination

Exam at a glance

Questions

120

Duration

150 minutes

Pass mark

not published

Sections

Stage 1: written MCQ run by Dietitians Australia · Stage 2: online OSCE with an actor and reflective interview

Exam type

Written and oral/practical

Language

English

Authority

DBNZ

Curriculum

Built from the question bank and updated automatically when new questions are added. 14 modules · 319 questions · Last updated: 30 October 2026

1. 01Nutrition assessment and the nutrition care process23 questions · 7.2 % of the bank

   Sample question

   Sample question1 / 1 · 0 correct

   A dietitian completes a nutrition assessment for a 74-year-old woman admitted with a hip fracture. She has lost 6 kg unintentionally over 3 months, has eaten less than half of her requirements for 2 weeks and has reduced muscle bulk. According to the nutrition care process, what is the next step?

   ABegin monitoring and evaluation of her outcomesBPrescribe oral nutrition supplements twice dailyCWrite a nutrition diagnosis that names the problem, its cause and its signsDRepeat the malnutrition screening tool before continuing

   Keys: 1–5 or A–E to choose, Enter to check and continue, F to mark.

   MarkCheck answer
2. 02Cardiovascular disease, lipids and obesity28 questions · 8.8 % of the bank

   Sample question

   Sample question1 / 1 · 0 correct

   A dietitian is counselling an adult with hypertension about salt intake. According to the Nutrient Reference Values for Australia and New Zealand, what is the Suggested Dietary Target (SDT) for sodium in adults?

   A2000 mg per day (about 5 g of salt)B1000 mg per day (about 2.5 g of salt)C3000 mg per day (about 7.5 g of salt)D4000 mg per day (about 10 g of salt)

   Keys: 1–5 or A–E to choose, Enter to check and continue, F to mark.

   MarkCheck answer
3. 03Clinical nutrition support: enteral and parenteral nutrition, malnutrition and dysphagia29 questions · 9.1 % of the bank

   Sample question

   Sample question1 / 1 · 0 correct

   A nurse screens a 68-year-old man on admission to a medical ward with the Malnutrition Screening Tool. He reports an unintentional weight loss of 8 kg over the past 3 months and says he has been eating poorly because of reduced appetite. His score is 3. What is the most appropriate interpretation and action?

   AHe is at risk of malnutrition and should be referred for dietitian assessmentBHe is at low risk of malnutrition and should be rescreened in one weekCHe has confirmed malnutrition and enteral feeding should start at onceDThe result is invalid because the tool does not include a BMI measure

   Keys: 1–5 or A–E to choose, Enter to check and continue, F to mark.

   MarkCheck answer
4. 04Counselling, behaviour change and communication19 questions · 6 % of the bank

   Sample question

   Sample question1 / 1 · 0 correct

   At the start of a first consultation, a dietitian wants a 50-year-old man to describe his usual eating without being led toward particular answers. Which question is the best open question?

   AWhat does a typical day of eating look like for you?BDo you usually eat breakfast before you leave for work?CWould you say your diet is mostly healthy or unhealthy?DHave you thought about cutting back on takeaway meals?

   Keys: 1–5 or A–E to choose, Enter to check and continue, F to mark.

   MarkCheck answer
5. 05Diabetes and endocrine nutrition25 questions · 7.8 % of the bank

   Chapters

   • Foundations: endocrine glands and feedback control
   • Foundations: the thyroid in the neck and endocrine emergencies

   Sample question

   Sample question1 / 1 · 0 correct

   A 45-year-old man with type 1 diabetes feels shaky and sweaty during a dietitian appointment. He is alert and able to swallow. Capillary glucose is 3.2 mmol/L. What is the most appropriate immediate treatment?

   ATwo squares of dark chocolate, then recheck glucose in 30 minutesB150 mL of fruit juice, then recheck glucose in 15 minutesCA glass of full-cream milk, then recheck glucose in 15 minutesDA wholegrain sandwich, then recheck glucose in 30 minutes

   Keys: 1–5 or A–E to choose, Enter to check and continue, F to mark.

   MarkCheck answer
6. 06Eating disorders and mental health nutrition18 questions · 5.6 % of the bank
7. 07Food service, food safety and food labelling23 questions · 7.2 % of the bank
8. 08Gastrointestinal, liver and pancreatic disease25 questions · 7.8 % of the bank

   Chapters

   • Foundations: the digestive tract, digestion and absorption
   • Foundations: peptic ulcer disease and upper GI bleeding
9. 09Dietary guidelines and nutrient reference values19 questions · 6 % of the bank
10. 10Nutrition across the life stages28 questions · 8.8 % of the bank
11. 11Professional practice, ethics, legal framework and cultural safety18 questions · 5.6 % of the bank
12. 12Public health nutrition, food security and priority populations19 questions · 6 % of the bank
13. 13Renal disease and fluid and electrolyte management18 questions · 5.6 % of the bank

    Chapters

    • Foundations: structure and function of the kidney
    • Foundations: fluids and electrolytes
14. 14Nutrition science and biochemistry foundations27 questions · 8.5 % of the bank

    Chapters

    • Foundations: the digestive tract, digestion and absorption
    • Foundations: peptic ulcer disease and upper GI bleeding

What you get

• Question bank with a detailed explanation for every answer
• Timed mock exams in the real exam format, with score report by topic
• Personal study plan up to your exam date and review of weak topics
• AI tutor that explains any question in plain words
• One account for the app (iPhone, iPad) and the browser
• AI oral examiner for practising the oral or practical part

From registration to licence

The usual steps with DBNZ. Details can change; check the current rules with DBNZ before you register.

1. Check eligibility and collect your documents (degree, experience, good standing).
2. Create an account with DBNZ and submit the application.
3. Receive the exam eligibility and book a date with the test centre.
4. Sit the exam. Results usually come within days.
5. After passing: complete licensing (for example primary source verification) and receive your licence.

Frequently asked questions