Are you considering a career in nutrition and dietetics? This field offers diverse opportunities to improve health through interventions, education, and counseling, addressing nutritional aspects of medical problems in clinical practice. Becoming a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist (RDN) requires significant formal education, supervised practice, and passing a national examination. This article provides a detailed overview of the requirements, educational pathways, and career outlook for aspiring RDNs.
Understanding Nutrition Career Pathways
Before embarking on your journey, it's essential to understand the different types of nutrition professionals:
- Registered Dietitian (RD/RDN): Requires a graduate degree from an ACEND-accredited program (bachelor’s accepted only if completed before 2024), CDR credentialing, and eligibility for Medicare/Medicaid reimbursement. RDs/RDNs are qualified to provide medical nutrition therapy and clinical practice.
- Licensed Nutritionist: Requirements vary by state, ranging from a bachelor’s to a master’s degree. State licensing is required, and insurance coverage is limited. Licensed nutritionists offer nutrition counseling and wellness coaching.
- Certified Nutritionist: Typically requires a bachelor’s degree and professional certification (CNS, etc.). Coverage is limited, and they focus on nutrition education and coaching.
- Non-Licensed Nutritionist: No formal requirements are needed. No coverage is provided, and they offer general nutrition information only.
The path you choose depends on your career goals, state regulations, and the level of clinical practice you want to pursue. Those interested in medical nutrition therapy and insurance reimbursement typically pursue the RD/RDN route, while others may find licensed or certified nutritionist pathways more suitable for wellness and coaching practices.
Educational Requirements for Registered Dietitians
Degree Requirements
A minimum of a graduate degree from a USDE-recognized accredited institution (or equivalent) is required to be eligible for the RD Examination. The Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics (ACEND) has updated its requirements, mandating a master's degree for those wishing to become a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist to take the Commission on Dietetic Registration credentialing exam to become a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist, starting in 2024.
ACEND-Accredited Programs
The Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics (ACEND) sets standards for dietetics education programs nationwide. These programs are required for RD/RDN eligibility and include:
Read also: RD Credential Information
- Didactic Program in Dietetics (DPD): Undergraduate coursework that meets ACEND’s accreditation standards. The core science, nutrition, foods, and food management courses in the Nutrition and Dietetics concentration meet the knowledge requirements. A Statement of DPD Verification is obtained in the final year of undergraduate study upon completion of the bachelor’s degree in Nutrition and Dietetics.
- Coordinated Program (CP): A combined program of coursework and supervised practice.
- Dietetic Internship (DI): Post-graduate supervised practice is required to become RDN-eligible on the CDR Registry.
- Graduate Programs: Advanced degrees with specialization options.
Bachelor's Degree
A bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution is the first step. Colleges and Universities across the US with accredited Bachelor of Science or a Bachelor of Arts in Nutrition & Dietetics programs must include didactic curricula approved by ACEND. Curricula include courses in nutritional biochemistry, human nutrition, developmental nutrition, exercise physiology, metabolism, medical nutrition therapy, food service management and organization, social sciences, education, business, management, and food production. The last two years of a dietetics education are called a Didactic Program in Dietetics (DPD). Students completing a DPD program receive a verification statement upon graduation, required to enter an accredited supervised practice program - Dietetics Internship (DI).
Supervised Practice: Dietetic Internship
Dietetic Internship (DI) is a crucial component of becoming an RDN. A dietetic internship with a minimum of 900 hours of supervised practice is required. Upon successful completion of a DI, graduates are eligible to take the Commission on Dietetic Registration (CDR) credentialing exam, to become Registered Dietitian Nutritionists (RDN).
The Registration Examination for Dietitians
RD Examination - Eligibility Requirements
Below are the key requirements to become eligible for the RD Examination:
- Degree: A minimum of a graduate degree from a USDE-recognized accredited institution (or equivalent).
- Dietetic internship.
- Verification of Internship Completion.
At this point, students may apply to the ACEND’s Commission on Dietetic Registration (CDR) to take the dietetic registration examination and become RDN-eligible on the CDR Registry.
Preparing for the Exam
Passing the CDR exam is the most crucial step to earning the RD credential and becoming a registered dietitian. Upon completing your degree and fulfilling internship requirements, you can become validated by the CDR and then take the registered dietitian exam. The exam is two and a half hours long and consists of up to 145 questions.
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State Requirements and Licensure
Meet requirements to practice in your state. Many states have regulatory laws (i.e. licensure) for food and nutrition practitioners. All states accept the RDN credential for state licensure purposes. Before seeking employment in your desired state of practice, you may need to obtain a state license or certification. The CDR provides information on which states require additional licensure for registered dietitians. In some cases, you may be eligible for a license based on your degree, internship, and exam result.
Alternative Certification Paths
For those not pursuing RD credentials, several professional certifications provide credibility and specialized knowledge:
- Certified Nutrition Specialist (CNS): Requires a Master’s degree in nutrition, 1,000+ supervised hours, and passing an exam.
- Certified Clinical Nutritionist (CCN): Requires a Bachelor’s degree, 900+ clinical hours, and passing an exam.
- Holistic Nutritionist (HN): Requires an approved training program and varies in experience and exam requirements.
- Health Coach Certification: Requires an approved training program, 75+ coaching hours, and passing an exam.
Additional Information for Individuals With Foreign Degrees
Each country has its own credentialing agency with policies and procedures that an individual must comply with to meet registration eligibility requirements and become credentialed in that country. Individuals who want to be credentialed as a RD in the US must comply with CDR’s eligibility (i.e., degree, didactic, and supervised practice) and examination requirements.
If your degree is from outside the US, you are required to have your transcript evaluated by an approved Foreign Degree Evaluation Agency. A detailed course-by-course evaluation is recommended. After receiving your evaluation report, you will need to contact the program director of an Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics (ACEND) accredited Didactic Program in Dietetics (DPD), Graduate Program (GP) or Coordinated Program (CP) to request they review your transcript and foreign degree evaluation report. They will determine to what degree your prior learning meets current requirements and counsel you regarding any additional coursework needed to complete their program requirements.
Canadian Registered Dietitian
Canadian applicants who are graduates of a dietetics program recognized as accredited in Canada, who are members of Dietitians of Canada, and who are licensed as a Canadian RD (or equivalent provincial designation) may apply for registration eligibility with CDR.
Read also: Your Guide to Dietitians
Philippines Reciprocity
Individuals registered by the Professional Regulation Commission (PRC) of the Philippines will be eligible to take either CDR’s registration examination for dietitians or registration examination for dietetic technicians depending on their highest degree earned. These programs provide nutrition and dietetics coursework and supervised practice experiences in the country in which the program is located, to meet ACEND's core knowledge and competency requirements to become a nutrition and dietetics practitioner in that country, in order to meet eligibility requirements to take CDR’s entry-level registration examination for dietitian nutritionists.
International Coordinated Program in Dietetics (ICP)
All ICP programs are located in a country outside of the US and provide the required nutrition and dietetics coursework and at least 1000 hours of supervised practice experiences to meet ACEND®'s core knowledge and competency requirements to become a registered dietitian nutritionist.
Timeline and Career Outlook
Educational Timeline
Understanding the time commitment for different nutrition career paths helps with planning and goal setting:
- Registered Dietitian (RD/RDN): 4-6 years master’s degree + 6-12 month internship, totaling 5-7 years to practice.
- Licensed Nutritionist (state-dependent): 4 years bachelor’s + supervised experience, totaling 4-6 years.
- Certified Nutritionist: 4 years bachelor’s + certification program, totaling 4-5 years.
- Health Coach: Certification program (6 months-2 years), totaling 1-2 years.
Career Outlook and Salary Information
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment for dietitians and nutritionists is projected to grow 7% from 2023 to 2033, faster than average for all occupations. This growth is driven by increased interest in disease prevention through improved dietary habits and an aging population requiring specialized nutrition care. The median annual salary for dietitians and nutritionists was $73,850 in 2024. The highest 10% of earners made more than $101,760 per year.
Continuing Education
Stay up-to-date in dietetics through continuing education. After successfully passing the national exam and earning the credential, RDNs maintain ongoing professional development in order to stay up to date on the latest research, recommendations, and best practices.