Training

NCC offers a comprehensive training program for those who license NDSR.  Training is available through access tiers that can be selected based upon an individual’s desired level of participation. The three access tiers consist of Asynchronous NDSR Training Only, Asynchronous Training plus Live Dietary Interviewing Practice, and Asynchronous NDSR Training plus Live Dietary interviewing Practice plus NDSR Certification. Each successive tier builds upon the content learned in the previous tier and must be completed in order. The different access tiers are described in detail below:  

• Asynchronous NDSR Training Only is available as a first step to learning about NDSR and practicing how to use it.  It covers setting up projects in NDSR, entering foods and supplements, data management, how to generate NDSR reports and output files, and an introduction to dietary interviewing.  The asynchronous content takes approximately 8 hours to complete, and trainees will have two weeks to complete the asynchronous course. If you are tech savvy and a quick learner, you may get through the course slightly faster.  If you are not, please allow yourself additional time to complete the activities.
• Asynchronous NDSR Training Course and Live Dietary Interviewing Practice Workshop. The Workshop component of this training is offered several times throughout the year via Zoom.  The practice workshop builds on what is learned in the class, allows trainees to practice dietary interviewing skills, and provides additional education on how to search for foods and how to handle challenging data entry situations.  This live practice is strongly recommended for those who will be conducting dietary interviews, supervising dietary interviewers, and/or performing quality assurance.  If you only need a basic understanding of NDSR or will not be working with NDSR yourself, this level of training may not be needed.  You must complete the full Asynchronous NDSR Training course prior to attending the Live Dietary Interviewing Practice workshop.
• Asynchronous NDSR Training Course, Live Dietary Interviewing Practice Workshop, and Certification. NCC provides certification to promote a standardized approach for all dietary interviewers working on one research project. Through the certification process, NCC Trainers provide individual feedback on interviewing technique; identify and correct common data entry errors seen in new NDSR users; and coach on using food search, entering amounts and notes, and more complicated entries including assembled foods. Certification requirements are as follows:

1. 1. Complete the Asynchronous NDSR Training course and participate in the Live Dietary Interviewing Practice workshop.

   The training course and workshop include practice using the software, learning about the database, and the multiple-pass method of collecting dietary data.

   2. Conduct a baseline recall with an NCC trainer.

   The baseline recall provides information to you and the NCC trainer about the skills                          developed during training. This is an opportunity to receive individualized instructions on navigating the software and database, and interviewing.

   3. Conduct ten recalls and send them to NCC for evaluation.

   Interviewing ten study-similar subjects provides practice using the software to conduct dietary interviews. NDSR backup files are sent to NCC for review and feedback.

   4. Conduct a final recall with an NCC trainer.

   The final recall allows you to demonstrate the skills mastered. This is another opportunity to ask questions about the software, database and other issues encountered while collecting dietary recalls.

    

   We recommend that individuals begin certification within 2-3 months of attending the Live Dietary Interviewing Practice workshop.  Please note that the certification process must be completed within 2 years of attending the Interviewing Practice workshop.  If certification is not completed within 2 years, the certification fee will be charged again when the trainee wishes to be certified.

Please note that experienced NDSR users and those with study-specific or analysis questions may want to contact NCC prior to registration to determine if NDSR training attendance is the best option.  The Asynchronous NDSR Training course covers how to generate and view data output files but does not include guidance on statistical programming or analysis.

 

Dietetic professionals who wish to receive Continuing Professional Education (CPE) credits for attending training are responsible for submitting the required information. NCC does not provide certificates of attendance.

 

Additional information regarding CPE credits is available in the Commission on Dietetic Registration’s Professional Development Portfolio Guide.

 
 

To sign up, complete the registration form and indicate if you plan to complete the asynchronous course only or participate in the live workshop as well. Please register 1-2 weeks before you wish to begin the asynchronous course to allow time to receive the training manual by mail and complete the required pre-training steps.  

 

IMPORTANT: There are several steps that must be completed in order for you to participate in the training program.  See this link for details on Pre-Training Preparation.

 

To request disability-related accommodations, please email NDSRtraining@umn.edu.

 

Upcoming Live Dietary Interviewing Practice Workshops:

 

Registration for live workshops will be available up until one week prior to workshop date or until the spaces are filled, whichever comes first.  However, please note that you must complete the entire asynchronous training before you can attend the live workshop. Workshops are held for up to 6-8 trainees per session but may be cancelled if a minimum of two trainees are not signed up. 

 

• November 18, 2025
• January 13, 2026

 

*Please note that Live Dietary Interviewing Practice Workshops are four hours long, from 12pm to 4pm Central time.

 

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Pricing

Asynchronous NDSR Training only – $600 per person

Asynchronous NDSR Training and Live Dietary Interviewing Practice workshop – $949

Asynchronous NDSR Training, Live Dietary Interviewing Practice workshop and Certification – $1,549 per person

Asynchronous NDSR Training only for University of Minnesota employee – $360 per person

Asynchronous NDSR Training and Live Dietary Interviewing Practice workshop for University of Minnesota employee – $ 570

Asynchronous NDSR Training, Live Dietary Interviewing Practice workshop and Certification for University of Minnesota employee – $930 per person

 

REFUND AND CANCELLATION POLICY:  

• Registration fees for the asynchronous training, interviewing practice workshop, and certification are non-refundable. 
• If a trainee wishes to postpone the initiation of their asynchronous course enrollment, they must do so by contacting NDSRtraining@umn.edu at least one business day prior to their scheduled enrollment activation date.
• Cancellations for the live interviewing practice workshop must be received 3 business days prior to the workshop in order to be eligible for rescheduling to a future workshop date.  Cancellations that occur less than 3 business days prior to the live interviewing practice workshop are non-refundable and ineligible for reschedule without repaying the workshop portion of the fee.

Contact NDSRtraining@umn.edu for more information.