Registered Dietitian versus A Nutritionist

A Registered Dietitian-Nutritionist is a nutrition and food specialist that has studied nutrition from an accredited university and has usually attained a Master’s Degree or more. All dietitians are “nutritionists,” however all “nutritionists” are not dietitians. You should always ask about someone’s training. Many people can call themselves “nutritionists” and have only taken a 6 or 12-month course or just an online course and then call themselves “nutritionists.”

To be certified in New York State, you must be licensed as a Certified Dietitian-Nutritionist (CDN). Any use of the titles "Certified Dietitian," "Certified Nutritionist" or "Certified Dietitian-Nutritionist" within New York State requires certification. To be certified as a dietitian-nutritionist in New York State, you must meet education, examination, and experience requirements through the Office of the Professions.

The Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics (AND) also registers Registered Dietitian-Nutritionists (RDN's) as food and nutrition experts. The following criteria are required to earn the RDN credential:

Completed a minimum of a bachelor’s degree at a U.S. regionally accredited university or college and course work accredited or approved by the Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics (ACEND) of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics.
Completed an ACEND-accredited supervised practice program at a health-care facility, community agency, or a foodservice corporation or combined with undergraduate or graduate studies. Typically, a practice program will run 6 to 12 months in length.
Passed a national examination administered by the Commission on Dietetic Registration (CDR ).
Completed continuing professional educational requirements to maintain registration.

Some RDN's hold additional certifications in specialized areas of practice. These are awarded through CDR, the credentialing agency for the Academy, and/or other medical and nutrition organizations and are recognized within the profession, but are not required.