Registered Dietitian vs. Registered Nutritionist

For nutrition and diet advice, one generally seeks out a dietitian or nutritionist for help. However, the term "nutritionist" is not legally protected in the United States, and anyone can use the title even if he has no credentials to do so. It is important to understand the different titles that nutrition professionals may use to determine if they are qualified to offer the most appropriate advice.

Registered Dietitian

• A registered dietitian (R.D.) is the most recognized certification for a nutrition professional. To become an R.D., an applicant must hold a minimum of a bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university.

  The potential R.D. must then be accepted into a coordinated program in dietetics offered through the American Dietetic Association. The internship program requires coursework and supervised experience totaling a minimum of 900 hours. After successful completion of the program, the student must pass an exam issued by the Commission on Dietetic Registration (CDR).

  All R.D.s must continue education after certification, achieving a minimum of 75 hours of continuing education credits within five years.

Licensed Dietitian/Nutritionist

• Because the term nutritionist is widely used by unqualified people, many states require that dietitians and those offering clinical nutrition advice be licensed within their state of practice. States differ on the credentialing initials. Some states use L.D. and some use L.D.N. to designate a nutrition professional with a license to practice dietetics and provide nutrition services.

  Before receiving a license, a candidate must provide documentation that she is an R.D. or other approved health care provider with a focus on nutrition, such as medical doctors or doctors of osteopathic medicine.

Dietetic Technician, Registered

• A registered dietetic technician must have earned at least an associate's degree (two years) from an accredited college or university in nutrition. The DTR candidate must then complete a supervised program that offers a minimum of 450 hours of a supervised work experience program.

  The Commission on Dietetic Registration also offers the exam for the DTR certification.

Certified Nutrition Specialist

• The Certified Nutrition Specialists (CNS) certification was begun by the American College of Nutrition. Before becoming eligible to be a CNS, an applicant must hold an advanced degree (master's or doctorate) in nutrition or other field related to nutrition from an accredited university. Post-graduate study must include 1,000 hours of supervised experience in nutrition.

  All applicants must pass an examination administered by the Certification Board for Nutrition Specialists.

Certified Clinical Nutritionist

• A Certified Clinical Nutritionist (CCN) must satisfy core academic requirements in the fields of science and nutrition, including 56 hours of online study in the Post-Graduate Studies in Clinical Nutrition Program offered by the Clinical Nutrition Certification Board.

  For admission to the program, one must first hold an advanced professional degree in a licensed health care field (such as an M.D., D.O., doctor of chiropractic, PharmD, or registered nurse) or have completed a master's degree or a doctorate degree in human nutrition from an accredited institution.

  An examination is given prior to certification as a CCN.

Certified Nutrition Consultant

• A certified nutrition consultant (CNC) is offered by the American Association of Nutritional Consultants. Candidates are required to have at least one year of previous education and/or experience in nutrition or other related health care field. Applicants pay a membership fee, and pass a series of tests to demonstrate proficiency in areas such as general and applied nutrition and practice management.

  Once certified, CNCs area asked to sign a release form that their advice is to be used for educational purposes only (not medical care).