how to become a nutritionist

Knowing what foods you should and should not eat, and the importance of nutrition and of nutritional values, can be confusing concepts for many. Fortunately, there are trained, qualified professionals working in the field of nutrition and dietetics who can help. Registered Dietitians (also known as Registered Dietitian Nutritionists); Dietetic Technicians, Registered (also called Nutrition and Dietetics Technician, Registered); Licensed Nutritionists; and Non-Licensed Nutritionists are all educated, experienced health care professionals who work in a variety of settings to advise, educate and instruct clients in what foods they should and should not eat, as well as the nutritional values of all foods.

Dietetics and nutrition is a burgeoning field full of possibilities and one that is expected to increase over the next decade. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics of the U.S. Department of Labor, careers in dietetics and nutrition are projected to increase by eight percent between the years 2019 and 2029. This exciting field can be entered into with as little as an associate's degree.

According to the Commission on Dietetic Registration (CDR) of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics (formerly known as the American Dietetic Association, or ADA), as of 2013 there are about 75,000 members of the academy. Seventy-two percent of these members are Registered Dietitians (RD), while two percent are Dietetic Technicians, Registered (DTR). The remaining members consist of licensed and non-licensed nutritionists, educators, students and researchers.

The Commission on Dietetic Registration (CDR) of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, the regulating organization for registered dietitians (RD), registered dietitian nutritionists (RDN), dietetic technicians (DTR), and nutrition and dietetics technicians (NDTR), as of January 25, 2021, registered dietetic professionals in the United States include:

a women consulting a client about diet

106,641 RDs and RDNs
4925 DTRs and NDTRs
1066 Board Certified Specialists in Pediatric Nutrition (CSP)
1036 Board Certified Specialists in Sports Dietetics (CSSD)
819 Board Certified Specialists in Oncology Nutrition (CSO)
617 Board Certified Specialists in Gerontological Nutrition (CSG)
588 Board Certified Specialists in Renal Nutrition (CSR)
501 Board Certified Specialists in Obesity and Weight Management (CSOWM)
79 Advanced Practice Certification in Clinical Nutrition (RDN-AP or RD-AP)
76 Board Certified in Pediatric Critical Care (CSPCC)

Although the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics is based in the United States, the organization prides itself on diversity, offering opportunities to individuals with various cultures, educational backgrounds, ethnicities, geographic locations, races, and more. Food and nutrition information and values are provided in a variety of languages and formats to appeal to everyone.

Nutrition Career Requirement Laws By State

Although there is no legal opposition to individuals performing nutrition counseling on their own, insurance limitations regarding reimbursement eligibility may apply.

Alaska
Arizona
Colorado
Connecticut

Massachusetts
Michigan
New Jersey
New York

North Carolina
Pennsylvania
Virginia
Washington

The answer to whether anyone can perform nutrition counseling on their own remains yes, however only an RD (Registered Dietitian) is accredited and authorized to be recognized by the US Government as performing services that are eligible for reimbursement under the current health care laws.

Arkansas
California
Hawaii
Idaho
Indiana
Kentucky
Louisiana

Maine
Nevada
New Hampshire
New Mexico
Oklahoma
Oregon

South Carolina
Texas
Utah
Vermont
West Virginia
Wisconsin

Unless an individual is licensed (or exempt in some cases), that individual cannot legally perform specific nutrition counseling. Additional licenses are available for nutritionists not interested in becoming an RD.

Delaware
Florida

Illinois
Maryland

Minnesota

Unless an individual is licensed (or exempt in some cases), that individual cannot legally perform specific nutrition counseling. The fact remains that unless one becomes licensed as an RD, they would remain ineligible.

Alabama
District of Columbia
Georgia
Iowa
Kansas

Mississippi
Missouri
Montana
Nebraska
North Dakota

Ohio
Rhode Island
South Dakota
Tennessee
Wyoming

How to Become a Nutritionist / Dietitian

Becoming a registered dietitian is a challenging process that involves obtaining the proper education and experience through approved, accredited programs. The Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics (AND) regulates the Registered Dietitian and Registered Dietitian Nutritionist practice nationwide. Each state may also have its own requirements for certification and licensure, in addition to those required to obtain RD credentials.

Many states require that nutritionists and dietitians hold licensure in order to be legally able to practice within that state. Others require licensure for dietitians but not nutritionists, and some require no licensure at all. As of 2021, state requirements for nutrition and dietetics careers, per the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, are:

Dietitians must be licensed or certified in the following states: Alabama, Alaska, Arkansas, Connecticut, Delaware, District of Columbia, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Utah, Vermont, Washington, West Virginia, Wisconsin, Wyoming
Nutritionists must be licensed or certified in the following states: Alabama, Alaska, Delaware, District of Columbia, Florida, Illinois, Kentucky, Maryland, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Montana, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, North Dakota, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Tennessee, Washington
Title protection is offered for dietitians in: California, Montana, Texas, Virginia
Title protection is offered for nutritionists in: Mississippi, Virginia
Nebraska offers licensure for medical nutrition therapists
No statutes regulating dietitians or nutritionists exist in these states: Arizona, Colorado, Michigan, New Jersey

Things to remember when considering state licensure and certification requirements:

Although there is no legal opposition to individuals performing nutrition counseling on their own, insurance limitations regarding reimbursement eligibility may apply.
Only a RD or RDN is accredited and authorized to be recognized by the US Government as performing services that are eligible for reimbursement under current health care laws.
Unless an individual is licensed or exempt, they cannot legally perform specific nutrition counseling in states in which licensure or certification is required.
In many states, the only professionals who are legally eligible for performing nutrition counseling and getting insurance reimbursement for it are RDs or RDNs.

Registered Dietitian Requirements By State

Becoming a registered dietitian is a challenging process that involves obtaining the proper education and experience through approved, accredited programs. The Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics (AND) regulates the Registered Dietitian practice nationwide. Each state may also have its own requirements for certification and licensure, in addition to those required to obtain RD credentials.