The field of dietetics is a rewarding career path for individuals passionate about health, wellness, and the power of nutrition. Registered Dietitians (RDs) and Registered Dietitian Nutritionists (RDNs) are food and nutrition experts who play diverse roles in communities, from hospitals and medical facilities to schools, supermarkets, restaurants, and athletic fields. They help people of all ages achieve optimal nutritional status. However, dietetics is a highly regulated profession. It requires specific education, training, experience, and often licensure.
Educational Foundation: ACEND Accreditation and Degree Requirements
A career in nutrition requires significant formal education. The first step towards becoming a registered dietitian is earning a degree in nutrition and obtaining a verification statement from an Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics (ACEND) accredited program. The minimum requirement for a career in dietetics is a bachelor's degree. However, some dietitians hold graduate degrees. The bachelor’s degree should be from a program accredited by the Accreditation Council for Nutrition and Dietetics (ACEND) of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics (AND).
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).
Effective January 1, 2024, the Commission on Dietetic Registration (CDR) requires a minimum of a master’s degree to be eligible to take the credentialing exam to become a registered dietitian nutritionist (RDN). If you would like to pursue a master’s degree, you might consider an ACEND-accredited master’s in nutrition or a coordinated degree program, such as a master’s in public health/registered dietitian (MPH/RD).
Supervised Practice: Dietetic Internships and Supervised Pathways
You must obtain hands-on clinical experience through an internship after completing your nutrition program to become a registered dietician. The dietetic internship is a formal program that provides for the achievement of performance requirements by providing a minimum of 1000 hours of supervised practice experience. Programs are conducted in hospital or community settings, or government, business or university organizations.
Read also: RD Career Path
You can go through a traditional Dietetic Internship (DI), a Coordinated Program (CP), or an Individualized Supervised Practice Pathway (ISPP). Many prospective RDs earn a degree and then pursue an internship separately. There is also the option of applying to a Coordinated Program, which provides the essential Didactic Program in Dietetics (DPD) coursework as well as supervised practice. Another option is pursuing an ISPP, which is meant to provide supervised practice through ACEND-accredited dietetic programs.
- Dietetic Internship (DI): A supervised practice program that typically lasts from eight to 24 months.
- Coordinated Program (CP): A program that combines DPD coursework with supervised practice.
- Individualized Supervised Practice Pathway (ISPP): ISPP for Didactic Program in Dietetics graduates (DPD)This option is for graduates who did not match with a dietetic internship but have a DPD verification statement. The DPD provides the required dietetics coursework leading to a bachelor’s or graduate degree. ISPP for doctoral degree graduatesYou also can apply for an ISPP without a DPD verification statement if you have a doctoral degree.
To apply for a Dietetic Internship, you will use the online dietetic internship centralized application services (DICAS). Almost all internships take advantage of this system, and you can use it to be matched with appropriate DI and CP placements nationwide. Internships range in duration from eight to 24 months. You may work on a part- or full-time basis. You can choose an internship based on your interests and career goals. Applications to internships are accepted in September (for December graduates) and February (for May graduates).
Increasing Your Chances of Internship Success
Increasing the chances of being a successful applicant to a Dietetic Internship begins in the first year of college by working to obtain and maintain the best possible GPA, acquiring extensive volunteer experience, being active in student organizations and working closely with dietetics faculty.
The first step in the process of applying to dietetic internships is to carefully review the current edition of the Directory of Dietetics Programs-Accredited and Approved. Complete the online application for each Dietetic Internship, DICAS. If a D.I. Computer matching serves as a clearinghouse to help applicants obtain Dietetic Internship positions of their choice and to help Dietetic Internships obtain applicants of their choice. It eliminates unfair pressures and premature decisions on and by programs to accept or reject applicants, and it eliminates unfair pressures on applicants to accept or reject an appointment into a Dietetic Internship.
Students may apply to as many programs as they wish. Each Dietetic Internship reviews its own applications and, like students, submits a priority listing of applicants to D & D Digital Systems, along with the number of positions they have to fill. Before matching begins, the applicant priority lists and the Dietetic Internships lists are "cleaned." If a program does not rank an applicant, that program will be removed from the applicant's list. If an applicant does not rank a program, the applicant is removed from the program's list. Then, the matching process takes place using the applicant's prioritized list and the programs' prioritized list until all possible matches are complete. No. You must notify D & D Digital Systems in writing or by fax prior to the drop deadline of your decision to withdraw from the matching process. All costs are borne by the applicant. No. All information submitted to D & D Digital Systems is kept confidential. Each applicant is given the final result of the matching. Each program is provided with the names of applicants it obtains in the match. D & D Digital Systems sends notification of placement or lack of placement to each applicant. It also provides each program director with a list of applicants matched to its program. D & D Digital Systems sends a listing of unmatched applicants who have agreed to release their names to each program following the matching.
Read also: Pediatric Dietitian Services
Select programs that are in less popular geographic regions. Historically, locations on both coasts receive proportionately more applicants than others. It can be beneficial if you apply to locations other than New York and New England.Select programs that do not provide stipends and choose programs that charge fees. Everyone would like to receive a large stipend while completing an experience program. Therefore, those that offer stipends are very competitive.Select programs where you will be the only ASU graduate applying. Compare notes with your friends, Dietetic Internships are strengthened by students from a variety of college and university settings. When you and your best friend apply to the same place, you are competing against each other. Read all parts very carefully.Identify everything that must be done and when it must be accomplished.Allow yourself and others ample time to do a totally professional job in preparing the application. These materials are usually your only opportunity to sell yourself.Follow all directions carefully. If a program does not specify complete directions (for example, whether the letter of application is to be typed or handwritten), you are expected to make a decision. You may call the program director for clarification but usually type all materials.Give careful thought to your letter of application and/or resume (Link to resume writing). Discuss your interests in dietetics, goals, and what you have gained from courses, work experience, community campus involvement, etc. Add to rather than just duplicate information the reviewers will read in your application.Answer all questions and include all information requested in appropriate detail.The content of the letter of application is to be your work. Do not ask anyone else to write it for you. The best letter is one you introduce yourself in your own way. The letter must be well organized, informative, grammatically correct and professional in content and appearance. Ask faculty, supervisors, advisors, and employers for recommendations as directed in each application packet. Be sure you communicate fully and personally with those you ask to write a recommendation for you. If there are forms to be completed, envelopes required, waivers to be signed, or if specific points are to be addressed, be sure to indicate these facts to the person writing the recommendation. Letters should be requested well in advance of the time they are needed. All letters for fall internships that are requested from AppState faculty must be requested before the second week in December. Otherwise, faculty will likely be unable to give the attention needed to such an important document. Also, faculty usually need a copy of your resume for use in writing recommendations. Some faculty will require additional information. Prepare envelopes, headings, forms, etc. very neatly and carefully. Be sure titles are correct and names spelled properly. Remember: All materials you submit represent you. Remember to thank those who have been kind enough to assist you in this process with a thank you card. You will need a complete set of official transcripts from every college you have attended for each Dietetic Internship to which you apply. Allow at least eight weeks to receive these, especially if you are requesting transcripts from other colleges. Transcripts must be official. It is a good idea to request two or three official transcripts in addition to those that you know you must have. A few Dietetic Internships require a physical exam before final acceptance. If one is requested, make arrangements with your physician. Most programs will require a physical after your acceptance or when you arrive for the program. Personal health enables you to do your best and to profit from your internship experiences. It is best to be straightforward about health problems or concerns that you may have. Internship directors vary in their desire for a personal interview. Some directors discourage interviews but encourage group tours or attendance at open houses. Some directors feel that on-site interviews are an unnecessary expense. Others believe that some prospective students should not be greeted in person unless all can be. On the other hand, some directors encourage or even require in person or telephone interviews of finalists. Follow the lead given on the D.I. Do not insist on an interview if it seems the director is hesitant to provide this opportunity. Do take advantage of interviews, open houses or tours if permitted or invited to do so. Currently enrolled undergraduate students applying for Dietetic Internships must obtain an Intent to Complete Form indicating the courses they will need to complete before graduating. These forms are available from the Dietetics Director. Students who already have graduated need to obtain a completed Verification Statement from the DPD Director. The DPD Director will complete required statements for you after you request the number of forms required. Again, these applications are completed at an extremely busy time of year. It is important to plan ahead so that you may complete your application in a timely fashion. To insure individual privacy and security, a personal login and password will be given to each applicant. Notification will be either that a student was or was not matched with one Dietetic Internship. the day after notification. The matching/selection process is not perfect, but it is the fairest system. Nevertheless, well qualified capable students may not receive a match with a dietetic internship on their initial application. Students who are not recipients of an appointment are encouraged to reapply for the next appointment date, if they so desire. In many cases re-application indicates your sincere desire to become a Registered Dietitian, and it is looked at as a strength rather than a weakness. Students who are not recipients may also elect to take the Dietetic Technician, Registered (DTR) examination. In addition to the RD credential, several states (including North Carolina) require licensure.
National Registration Examination: Earning the RD/RDN Credential
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. There are numerous testing locations. The exam is two and a half hours long and consists of up to 145 questions.
The letters "RD or RDN" after a person's name signifies that he/she has completed all of the requirements established by the Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics (the credentialing agency for The Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics). These requirements include completing a minimum of a bachelor's degree granted by a US regionally accredited college/university and an accredited dietetic internship program. These students then demonstrate their knowledge of food and nutrition by successfully passing a national "RD/RDN" credentialing exam.
State Licensure and Certification: Legal Requirements for Practice
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.
Individuals should review their state's licensing statutes and regulations to understand the specific requirements, including supervised practice and examinations, needed to obtain a dietetics license. While state interpretations of statutes may vary, it is ACEND's considered opinion that the program meets the educational requirements for dietetics licensure and certification in all states. However, completing an ACEND accredited academic program alone does not qualify an individual for licensure or certification as a dietitian in any state.
Read also: RD Credential Information
Career Opportunities and Salary Expectations
One of the benefits of pursuing a career as an RD is the array of professional opportunities it can offer. With an aging population and individuals at risk of diseases such as diabetes, there is a growing need for these professionals. Employment of registered dietitians and nutritionists is expected to grow 6% from 2024 to 2034. The BLS lists a number of different career paths for registered dietitians.
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), 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. The BLS notes that most RDs work full time, but working hours are flexible.
Continuing Education and Professional Development
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. After passing the registered dietitian examination, graduates will participate in the Commission on Dietetic Registration’s (CDR) re-certification program, which assists credentialed practitioners in planning their professional development with the Professional Development Portfolio. A re-certification cycle is 5 years. The first action item required by those who pass the registration exam is to submit a Learning Plan.
Alternative Paths: DTR and International Reciprocity
Students choosing not to become RDs or who do not get matched with supervised practice programs may elect to become DTRs upon obtaining their verification statement. Individuals who have completed the education and credentialing requirements in one country may be eligible for another country's credentialing examination if the two countries have entered into a "reciprocity" agreement to allow this. If reciprocity does not apply, you must have your academic degree validated as equivalent to the bachelor's or master's degree conferred by a US regionally-accredited college or university and complete any additional required course work plus an ACEND-accredited supervised practice requirement to establish your eligibility to sit for the exam. It is important to note that all individuals who establish registration eligibility - whether under the provisions of a reciprocity agreement or through the combination of a validated academic degree and supervised practice program - must successfully pass the RDN exam.
Registered Dietitian Career Opportunities in Tennessee
Tennessee’s healthcare sector offers diverse opportunities for registered dietitians across multiple settings. The state’s major medical centers in Nashville, Memphis, Knoxville, and Chattanooga provide clinical positions, while growing wellness industries offer community-based roles.
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, dietitians and nutritionists in Tennessee earned a median salary of $63,030 as of May 2024. Entry-level positions typically start around $52,060, while experienced professionals can earn $82,220 or more. Metropolitan areas like Knoxville ($64,390) and Bristol ($65,240) often offer higher compensation.
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