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How to Become a Registered Dietitian

How to Become a Registered Dietitian

Have you ever thought about working as a dietitian? Your next thought then might be how to become a dietitian. Or maybe you have thought about how to become a nutritionist. But what is the difference and how do you become a dietitian or become a nutritionist?

You may have heard the statement, “Not all nutritionists are registered dietitians but all registered dietitians are nutritionists.” This statement is true because becoming a dietitian is not an easy path to take. There are a lot of components, studies, exams, and steps. In some states it also requires licensure.

Here is a breakdown of How to Become a Dietitian or a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist.

What is a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist?

Let's start from the top. Definitions are always helpful. A Dietitian, also known as a Registered Dietitian Nutritionists (RDN), is a credentialed food and nutrition expert, promoting evidence-based nutrition education and care. There are minimum requirements for becoming a RDN. According to the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics and the Commission on Dietetics, here are the eligibility requirements.

Minimum Requirements for Becoming a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist.

  1. RDNs have a minimum of a Bachelor’s degree in nutrition and dietetics from an accredited university or college in the United States.
  2. 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).
  3. RDNs have passed a national exam administered by the Commission on Dietetic Registration (CDR).
  4. 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.
Download Dietetic Resume Templates

Step-by-step Guide to Become a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist

So now that we know that the credential looks like, let's break it down with the step-by-step process so you can start imagining your life as a dietitian. It may be the best education and career decision that you make!

1. Enroll in a Didactic Program in Dietetics. Didactic Program in Dietetics (DPD) will provide either a bachelor’s or master’s degree that is recognized by ACEND. Once you have your DPD, you will receive a DPD Verification Statement. This is necessary to apply to a Dietetic Internship program (DI). Find DPD Schools that offer undergrad and master’s degrees.

2. Get Industry Experience. Prior to entering a Dietetic Internship, many internships require a certain amount of volunteer experience or actual work experience within the nutrition and dietetic field. This experience can be from clinical, community, private practice, food service, corporate wellness, and more. Make sure to research the dietetic internship you are interested in attending prior to applying so you have time to get the required hours before applying.

3. Apply to a Dietetic Internship. Once you have your DPD that is ACEND-accredited, you can apply for a Dietetic Internship (DI).

  • Find schools with a DI Internship Program. You can also apply to a school offering a distant (online) internship, a combination graduate degree and internship program, or a DI with a graduate degree option. The internship includes a minimum of 1200 hours of supervised practice in the field of dietetics within various rotations to obtain a well-balanced, well-versed knowledge of the dietetic field.
  • The acceptance rate for a Dietetic Internship is very low and is very competitive. There are methods to optimize your chance to get accepted. The Get Matched Course from All Access Internships has a high success rate for students who have completed their course (use code NUTRITIONJOBS for 20% discount on the course*).

4. Dietetic Internship Matching with D & D Digital. During the application process, you will need to use D & D Digital to get matched to your DI of choice. D & D Digital is an Online Dietetics Internship Matching Service for the Academy fo Nutrition and Dietetics. To participate in matching with an Internship you need to submit an application to the Internship and prioritize the Internship. You simply register an account to create a profile to get started. A new registration is required for each Spring or Fall matching period.

Most Dietetic Internships select applicants for appointments through a matching process that occurs twice a year, in the Spring (for appointments in April) and in the Fall (for appointments in November). Dietetic Internship programs participate in either the Spring or Fall match. Some participate in both. A new registration is required for each Spring or Fall matching period.

All DI applicants must complete a 2-step process. Each Dietetic Internship of interest must receive your application AND must be on your D&D Digital prioritized (ranked) list of Internships by deadline dates. Failure to complete both steps for any Internship will result in no possible match to that Internship.

Registration for the Spring match is open from Dec 1 through February 15 (usually) for Internships that start in April. Registration for the Fall match is open from July 1 through September 25 (usually) for Internships that start in January. Refer to the Matching Timeline for a detailed list of important dates and times.

5. Individualized Supervised Practice Pathways (ISPPs). ACEND also allows students to work with a preceptor outside of the standard DI and develop his/her own program based on specific criteria that will make him/her eligible to take the registration exam. Get more information on ISPP. This option is meant for people who don’t get matched with a DI. It will give them a chance to complete coursework to take the dietetic exam.

6. Coordinated Programs (CP) are also available at the bachelor’s and master’s level which combine the DPD and the DI in one program. Learn more about obtaining a CP Verification Statement and which schools offer this program. You will need the CP Verification Statement before applying to take the RDN Exam.

    7. Take the RDN Exam. Once you have completed your DI or CP, you will need to submit your coursework in order to become eligible to take the RDN Exam. The CDR provides a layout of the necessary steps to become an RDN. Once you pass the exam, you have become a Registered Dietitian!

    How to Get Into a Dietetic Internship

    Acceptance into an accredited Dietetic Internship after your didactic education is quite difficult. Here are some resources and courses to help improve your application and chances on being accepted.

    • All Access Internships: This is one our favorites. It provides free resources, personalized application coaching, get-matched bootcamps, and other products for students interested in applying to a dietetic internship. All Access Internships was founded in 2008 by Jenny Westerkamp, RD, to provide a major competitive edge (they have a hugely success rate) for obtaining their internship of choice. Use the affiliate promotion code NUTRITIONJOBS for a 20% discount on the Get Matched Course (applies to all payment plans).*
    • Application Insider with Nicole Vance, a registered dietitian who worked for the Utah State University Dietetic Internship for 6 years, including 3 years as the director. She has the unique perspective of being on the other side of DICAS and D&D Digital. She knows what sets applications apart (for better or worse!). She knows what programs look for and which applicants get onto the match list. "Because I’m an insider, I can help your application stand out."
    How To Write A Winning Dietetic Internship Personal Statement

    Dietitian Exam Study Resources

    List of resources to prepare and study for the dietetic exam:

    Becoming a Dietitian From Outside the United States

    If you have studied dietetics outside of the United States, there is reciprocity for some countries to work as a dietitian in the United States. According to the Commission on Dietetics:

    "Registration eligibility reciprocity is extended to individuals who completed all certification requirements (academic, didactic, experiential, and examination) in the country with whom CDR has an agreement. CDR currently has reciprocity agreements with the following foreign regulatory boards:"

    • Dutch Association of Dietitians/Ministry of Welfare, Public Health and Culture (NVD).
    • Philippine Professional Regulation Commission (PRC).
    • Irish Nutrition and Dietetic Institute (INDI)."

    The reciprocity eligibility from the Commission on Dietetics is included on the website.

    Canadian Registered Dietitians

    According to the Commission on Dietetics (CDR), Canadian Dietitians can apply for registration eligibility to work in the United States. The process includes submitting documentation:

    To apply for registration eligibility with CDR, contact Dietitians of Canada (DC) to request they email CDR a signed letter confirming:

    • Current active DC membership
    • Education in Canada (including highest degree and degree date)
    • Graduation from a Partnership in Dietetic Education and Practice (PDEP) program
    • Licensure as a Canadian RD (or equivalent provincial designation)

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    Resources to Boost Your Career

    1. Subscribe to the NutritionJobs Career Newsletter
    2. Dietetic Resume Template as Canva Downloads
    3. Create an All-Star LinkedIn Profile course
    4. Resume Essentials course + ebook bundle
    5. NutritionJobs Instant Makeover Workshop
    6. Resume Coaching 1:1 with Stacey
    7. Follow NutritionJobs on Instagram
    8. Subscribe to NutritionJobs on YouTube

    * This indicates an affiliate link, which means I may get a commission if you purchase, at no extra cost to you. The fees of these resources have not been increased to compensate me. In fact, some of these resources have given me special discounts that I can to extend to you.

    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 Founding 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.

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