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

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