Dietitians and Nutritionists
Special Requirements
To qualify for professional credentials as a Registered Dietitian, students must complete their academic and clinical education and take a certification examination administered by the American Dietetic Association (ADA). This credential is useful when looking for employment or seeking promotions, but it is not presently required to work in Virginia. Registered Dietitians must also complete an accredited or approved supervised practice program at a healthcare facility, community agency or a foodservice corporation for a period of between six months and a year.
GENERAL REQUIREMENTS:
To become a registered dietitian the following requirements must be met:
• Receive a bachelor’s degree from an American Dietetic Association approved academic program
• Complete an CADE - accredited supervised practice program, such as a pre-professional practice program or dietetic internship at a healthcare facility, community agency, or a foodservice corporation for a period of between 6 months and a year.
• Pass an examination for certification administered by the American Dietetic Association (ADA)
RENEWAL REQUIREMENTS:
In order to stay registered, dieticians must complete 75 hours of continuing education every 5 years.
NUTRITIONIST:
There is some confusion about the title "nutritionist." Both the American Board of Nutrition and the Certification Board for Nutrition Specialists certify nutritionists who have advanced degrees in nutrition or medicine, master’s, PhD, or MD, and who have fulfilled rigorous experience requirements. However, unless someone is a certified nutritionist, the title "nutritionist" does not necessarily signify any education or training in nutrition. For instance, people who simply sell nutritional products frequently call themselves nutritionists. Since there are no legal licensing requirements for nutritionists, certification can be very helpful in establishing professional legitimacy.
GENERAL REQUIREMENTS:
To become a registered dietitian the following requirements must be met:
• Receive a bachelor’s degree from an American Dietetic Association approved academic program
• Complete an CADE - accredited supervised practice program, such as a pre-professional practice program or dietetic internship at a healthcare facility, community agency, or a foodservice corporation for a period of between 6 months and a year.
• Pass an examination for certification administered by the American Dietetic Association (ADA)
RENEWAL REQUIREMENTS:
In order to stay registered, dieticians must complete 75 hours of continuing education every 5 years.
NUTRITIONIST:
There is some confusion about the title "nutritionist." Both the American Board of Nutrition and the Certification Board for Nutrition Specialists certify nutritionists who have advanced degrees in nutrition or medicine, master’s, PhD, or MD, and who have fulfilled rigorous experience requirements. However, unless someone is a certified nutritionist, the title "nutritionist" does not necessarily signify any education or training in nutrition. For instance, people who simply sell nutritional products frequently call themselves nutritionists. Since there are no legal licensing requirements for nutritionists, certification can be very helpful in establishing professional legitimacy.
For More Information, Contact:
American Dietetic Association
120 South Riverside Plaza, Suite 2000
Chicago, IL 60606-6995
Phone: 312.899.0040
Phone: 800.877.1600
Fax: 312.899.4772
http://www.eatright.org
[email protected]
American Board Of Nutrition, Inc.
Secretariat Office
University Of Alabama At Birmingham
1675 University Boulevard / Webb 232
Birmingham, AL 35294-3360
Phone: 205.975.5564
Fax: 205.934.7049
http://www.acbn.org/
[email protected]
Certification Board For Nutrition Specialist
300 S. Duncan Ave, Suite 225
Clearwater, FL 33755
Phone: 727.446.6086
Fax: 727.446.6202
http://www.cert-nutrition.org
[email protected]
Dietary Managers Association
406 Surry Woods Drive
St. Charles, IL 60174
Phone: 800.323.1908
Fax: 630.587.6308
http://www.dmaonline.org
The data sources for the information displayed here include: Virginia Career VIEW Research. (Using onet291)
