Dietitian vs Nutritionist: What's the Difference?
Dietitian vs nutritionist? What's the difference? Working in the area of health and nutrition offers tremendous job opportunity with many rewards.
But you may be wondering if you should pursue a career as a dietitian or a nutritionist to become the nutrition expert; or you might just be wondering with the difference is between a dietitian vs nutritionist. The wording can be a little confusing but there is a legal difference.
This article outlines the dietitian vs nutritionist job titles and spells out how to work in the field of nutrition along with the unique job titles assigned to this area of work.
Dietitian vs Nutritionist?
Prior to 2012, dietitians were solely called Registered Dietitians (RD). In 2012 dietitians could also be called Registered Dietitian Nutritionists (RDN). The Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics (formerly known as The American Dietetic Association) officially changed its name in January of 2012, and also included “Nutritionist” in the RD title.
Even though the Nutritionist title was added to the Registered Dietitian title, the difference between the two is unique. Here is a breakdown of the Difference Between a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist versus a Nutritionist.
What is a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist?
Registered Dietitian Nutritionists (RDN) are credentialed food and nutrition experts promoting evidence-based nutrition education and care.
- RDNs have a minimum of a Bachelor’s degree in nutrition and dietetics from an accredited university or college in the United States. Many RDNs will also have an advanced degree in a related subject.
- RDNs have completed an accredited supervised internship program including 1200 hours of practice. The program needs to be approved by the Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics (ACEND) which is a part of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics (AND).
- RDNs have passed a national exam administered by the Commission on Dietetic Registration (CDR). By passing the exam, RDNs are board certified.
- RDN's provide Medical Nutrition Therapy for a medical condition, in addition to normal nutrition to support a healthy lifestyle.
- RDNs need to maintain their accreditation by completing continuing education units (75 units within a 5-year period) and submitting those in a portfolio to the CDR.
- Check out our previous post for more details on how to become an RDN.
What is a Nutritionist?
A Nutritionist is a person who is a specialist in the field of nutrition and advises others on matters of food and nutrition.
- Nutritionists do not have any structured criteria to be titled a Nutritionist.
- There are many online programs teaching nutrition classes over the course of two or more hours which provide nutrition certifications once completed. These courses range in cost. There are free courses available and paid courses. Fitness organizations also provide nutrition courses that include certifications upon completion.
- Accredited universities and colleges have nutrition programs which will provide a Bachelor’s degree in nutrition.
- In addition, a person can complete an associate’s degree in nutrition from an accredited university or college approved by ACEND and a 450-hour minimum internship overseen by an RDN and apply to become a Nutrition and Dietetic Technician, Registered (NDTR).
- Both the bachelor’s route and the NDTR route provide more credibility to the title of Nutritionist. However, since there is no regulation or standardization in the Nutritionist field, anyone can classify themselves as a “Nutritionist” even without taking one course or obtaining a specific certification.
Jobs for a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist versus Nutritionist
There are many jobs for RDNs and Nutritionists. Some jobs specifically only hire RDNs and other jobs will hire a Nutritionist and won't require the specific credentials.
Here's further information about jobs for Dietitians vs Nutritionists.
Jobs for RDNs only:
- What sets a dietitian apart from a Nutritionist is the credential. RDNs tend to have more autonomy and work in a self-directed manner. RDNs are also legally able to accept health care insurance and are recognized providers within health insurance agencies. Whether in a hospital setting or private practice, only an RDN can see a patient and get reimbursed through insurance.
- Many employers specifically hire RDNs based on their credentials and licensure. These employers may be billing third-party insurance companies for services rendered under the guidance of an RDN. Other employers only hire RDNs due to licensure being required to provide medical nutrition therapy to clients.
- Some states require specific licensure for an RDN and only licensed individuals can legally provide specific nutrition counseling. The laws and regulations vary from state to state. Here is a list of states which require licensure in the United States. Each state is regulated differently in how they enforce the laws, too.
- To learn more about specific jobs for RDNs, check out our previous post on Job Trends for Dietitians.
Jobs for Nutritionists:
- Many health clubs, weight management clinics, and community wellness centers hire Nutritionists to provide client education and counseling regarding food, fitness, and health.
- Private practice is also an option for the Nutritionist and they can counsel and coach clients. However, the Nutritionist is not able to accept insurance due to the credentialing. Only RDNs are eligible to accept insurance and in some states, the RDN also needs to be licensed to accept insurance. Since some states also require special licensure, it is best to check with the state regulations on the type of counseling a Nutritionist is able to provide.
- Food companies hire Nutritionists to help develop menus, oversee foodservice sanitation and food safety, prepare food labels, conduct nutrient analysis, and more. Many of these companies do require at least a bachelor’s degree or an NDTR credential.
- Food service for corporations, institutions, schools, and hospitals hire Nutritionists and NDTRs to manage food service workers, provide budgets, order food and supplies, and perform other tasks.
- Community programs, such as Women, Infant, Children (WIC) and Meals on Wheels, in addition to public health agencies, also hire Nutritionists to develop and teach nutrition classes and provide nutrition educational materials to the public. These organizations also usually require a bachelors degree and/or NDTR credential.
- For the Nutritionists who have a bachelors degree and/or NDTR credential, they will be able to work in a hospital, nursing home, retirement center, hospice facility, or home health-care program assisting the Registered Dietitian, performing data entry, and any other task necessary to assist the health care team. The main difference for the Nutritionist or NDTR in these settings is that they are part of a team and/or work under an RDN.
- All Nutritionists, regardless of education, can work as influencers, social media marketers, and in public relations/communications. These jobs are highly sought after in the media realm and tend to make the most money.
Do you become a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist or a Nutritionist?
Now that you know the difference between a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist versus a Nutritionist, what route do you take? Where will you make the most money? Which path will give you a better return on your investment?
Since anyone can call themselves a Nutritionist without a degree or formal training, ideally getting at least a bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university is recommended.
Being un-credentialed isn't as appealing to hiring managers, employers, and even private paying clients in a private practice. A Nutritionist with a valid credential will require more schooling and education.
Proper credentialing is evidence of expertise, knowledge, and adequate training. Also, giving nutrition advice without proper training can result in a potential lawsuit if not adequately covered by insurance or licensure.
The route of an RDN does require more time, money, and education which may be challenging for some. Many people choose the credentialed Nutritionist route and then decide to become RDNs later on after gaining some experience in the work industry.
Whether you want to pursue a career as a Nutritionist or a career as an RDN, they can both make money.
Here is a list of the highest paid dietetic jobs according to location and practice area. For Nutritionists, the pay within the private practice or consulting settings will pay a lot more than jobs within the non-profit organizations, community, and food service settings.
So which one is right for you? We recommend contacting a fellow Nutritionist and RDN to talk to them individually about the pros and cons within their particular job and career path.
Hearing personal stories can help provide insight. In addition, check out our spotlight section where we highlight individual career paths of nutrition professionals. These spotlights will inspire you to learn about various niches within the dietetic and nutrition industry.
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About the Authors
Sarah Koszyk, MA, RDN, is a Registered Dietitian and Sports Nutritionist specializing in Weight Management and Sports Nutrition for youth and adults. She writes articles for multiple publications, provides customized nutrition coaching, and is a brand spokesperson. She is founder of MIJA, a superfood supplement company, and Haumea Health, a fertility wellness clinic. Connect with her on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, YouTube, or LinkedIn.
Stacey Dunn-Emke, MS, RDN, is the Founder Owner of NutritionJobs and an established dietetic career expert. She helps steer dietetic and nutrition professionals to a successful job search process with the top-ranked dietetic job board platform, NUTRITIONJOBS. Stacey is the author of The Dietetic Resume Guide and numerous dietetic career action-ables. She gives the tools to create a modern standout dietetic resume to land that job interview, help with job interview prep, and with creating All-Star LinkedIn profiles. Stacey has interviewed and hired many dietitians and in running NutritionJobs since 2000, she has reviewed thousands of dietetic resumes. She works closely with dietetic hiring managers and recruiters to know what standout resume elements land a job interview.
