
What is a Dietitian?
Registered Dietitians (RD) and Registered Dietitian Nutritionists (RDN) are individuals who have:
- Completed a minimum of a bachelor’s degree program approved by the Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics (ACEND)
- Completed pre-professional experience approved by ACEND (1,200 hours or more)
- Passed a national examination administered by the Commission on Dietetic Registration (CDR)
- Completed continuing professional education requirements (75 credit hours)
Nutrition and Dietetic Technician, Registered (NDTR) are individuals who have:
- Completed at least a two-year associate’s degree approved by ACEND including supervised practice experience
- Passed a national examination administered by CDR
- Completed continuing professional education requirements (50 credit hours)
Fellow of The Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics (FAND) are dietitians who have:
- Exhibited characteristics of advanced-level practice
- Earned a master’s or doctoral degree
- Accumulated at least eight years of work experience
Board Certified Specialists are dietitians who have:
- At least 4,000 hours of practice experience as an RD in the last five years in the specialty
- Successfully completed a specialty certification examination that emphasizes applying dietetics principles to the solution of clinical problems
Dietitian vs. Nutritionist: What's the Difference?
- Dietitians are considered nutritionists, but not all nutritionists are considered dietitians
- The largest difference lies in the length, scope, and mode of formal education and training that dietitians go through, making them qualified to work in various settings and provide a wide range of services
- The bottom line is seek nutrition advice from a professional with letters after their name—and know that registered dietitians have the skill and education to help you reach your goals safely and efficiently
Resources:
Registered Dietitian Nutritionist Fact Sheet
|