Dietitian Information
Registered Dietitians are
recognized experts in the science of
food and nutrition. People often
interchange the words nutritionist
and dietitian, but that’s
incorrect. Anyone can call
themselves a nutritionist. A
“Nutritionist” may or may not have the
credentials of a Registered Dietitian.
An RD is the authority on
nutrition in the US. If you are
looking for someone to help you with
your diet and aren't sure if the person
you find is credentialed, ask them if
they are an RD and ask to see their
credentials. Some nutritionists claim
they have credentials, but if he or she
is not an RD then their credentials are
not backed by science, education, and
experience like they would be if they
were an RD.
An RD is able to look at a client’s
medical history, current symptoms,
medications, supplements, exercise
routine, weight, and eating habits
and give advice that is safe and
effective for you to reach your goals.
What kind of training does a
Registered Dietitian have?
A Registered Dietitian (RD) receives
specific education and training to
provide medical nutrition therapy and
nutrition counseling to promote
optimal nutrition, health and
well-being. They provide reliable,
objective nutrition information,
separate facts from fads and translate
the latest scientific findings into
easy-to-understand nutrition
information.
Registered dietitians are food
and nutrition experts who have
completed academic and experience
requirements established by the
Commission on Dietetic Registration, to
attain their title, including a
bachelor's degree, completion of a
Commission on Accreditation for
Dietetics Education (CADE) program,
which includes classes in foodservice
systems management, business, economics,
computer science, culinary arts,
sociology, communications, biochemistry,
physiology, microbiology, anatomy and
chemistry plus a dietetic internship for
a minimum of 900 hours.
After the internship, students must
successfully complete a rigorous
professional level exam and must
maintain their credential by completing
ongoing continuing education to stay
abreast of current trends and issues.
For more information about the process
of becoming an RD, read the RD Fact
Sheet from the American Dietetic
Association or for more information
about careers in Dietetics read the
Registered Dietitian Information
Sheet.
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