A common saying used by the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics (AND) to distinguish the two professions is “All registered dietitians are nutritionists, but not all nutritionists are registered dietitians” (AND 2019). In the United States, earning the title of registered dietitian nutritionist (RDN) requires graduating from a program accredited by the Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics (ACEND) in dietetics or nutrition science and earning 1,200 hours of dietetic experience through an internship or coordinated program. Once these criteria are fulfilled, candidates become eligible to sit for the RDN exam (ACEND 2019).
Upon completing the educational and internship requirements and taking the required exams, a professional can earn the credential of registered dietitian nutritionist (RDN) or licensed dietitian nutritionist (LDN). The Commission on Dietetic Registration (CDR), the credentialing agency for the AND, requires RDN or LDN credentials for licensure to practice as a dietitian nutritionist in 47 states, Puerto Rico, and the District of Columbia (CDR 2019). Advanced certification through the Board for Certification of Nutrition Specialists (BCNS) as a certified nutritional specialist (CNS) is available for professionals with advanced degrees and 1,000 hours of supervised clinical experience.
Nutritionists can practice without an RDN or LDN license in three states and there are plenty of educational and professional organizations to support this career pathway. Certificate programs in health coaching are available through organizations such as the Institute of Integrated Nutrition (IIN), which emphasizes holistic nutrition and can take six months to one year to complete. Certificates and degree programs are also available through the American College of Healthcare Sciences (ASHS) and the National Association of Nutrition Professionals (NANP). These programs can take anywhere from six months to four years to complete depending on the type of certificate or degree sought.
Now more than ever, the United States is in urgent need of qualified dietitians and nutritionists. According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), the number of obese adults and children in the United States is at an unprecedented all-time high; in 2016, 39.8 percent of adults and 18.5 percent of youth were obese and at risk of developing diseases related to obesity such as type 2 diabetes and heart disease (CDC 2017).
Not surprisingly, the US Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) predicts an 11 percent growth in job openings for dietitians and nutritionists between 2018 and 2028, which is more than double the national average. The BLS estimates that 8,000 new dietitian and nutritionist positions will be created within that decade.
Read on to discover the similarities and differences between dietitians and nutritionists.
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Side-by-Side Comparison: Dietitian vs Nutritionist
Below is a side-by-side comparison of dietitians and nutritionists outlining educational and licensure requirements, timelines for degree completion, and professional resources.
| Dietitian (RDN/LDN) | Nutritionist | |
|---|---|---|
| Education | In 47 states, RDNs are required to earn an ACEND-accredited bachelor’s degree in dietetics, nutrition science, or a related field. Some RDNs hold advanced degrees in nutrition science. | Nutritionists can earn educational credentials through a diploma or certificate, an associate’s degree, or a bachelor’s degree in nutrition science. |
| Timeline to Practice | It can take five to seven years to become an RDN:
| It can take six months to six years to become a nutritionist:
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| Typical Duties |
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| Eligible to practice medical nutritional therapy (MNT)? | Yes, RDNs can practice medical nutritional therapy (MNT). The Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics (AND) defines medical nutrition therapy as nutritional diagnostic, therapy, and counseling services that are furnished by an RDN (AND 2019). RDNs are qualified to provide this in-depth level of individualized nutrition to manage diseases. | No, dietetic professionals without an RDN credential are not legally qualified to practice medical nutritional therapy (MNT).
Non-RDN dietetics professionals are qualified to provide nutrition education and help clients create and maintain individualized nutrition plans. |
| Work environments | The US Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) reports that the majority of dietitians and nutritionists work in state, local, and private hospitals (BLS 2019).
Government agencies are the largest employers in the United States. Examples of government agencies include:
| Nutritionists employed in the three states that do not have professional licensure requirements are eligible to work in any of the work environments where an RDN can work. The BLS reported the following work environments and the percentage of dietitians and nutritionists employed in each sector (BLS 2019):
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| Licensing and Certification | Three states currently have no professional licensure or certification requirements for dietitians and nutritionists:
For additional information about specific state licensure requirements, please see AND’s licensure statutes and information by state on their resource page (AND 2019). In 47 states, Puerto Rico, and the District of Columbia, dietitians and nutritionists are required to hold RDN or LDN certification. Aspiring dietetic professionals candidates must complete the following requirements to earn an RDN/LDN credential:
| [Same] |
| Continuing Education Requirements | RDNs must complete continuing education credits every 5 years. RDNs need a minimum of 75 credits including one credit in ethics. A yearly registration maintenance fee of $70 per year or $350 for five years can be paid at the beginning of a five-year cycle. Credential registration is managed by the Commission on Dietetic Registration (CDR). Membership fees associated with the AND professional organization are separate and distinctive from the CDR credential. | None, but state-specific requirements may apply. |
| Specializations | The CDR offers the following board certification specializations for RDNs:
| Specialization certificates are available from organizations such as:
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| Salary | The BLS (2019) reports the average annual salary for dietitians and nutritionists is $60,370 (BLS 2019).
Work environments with the highest salaries are outpatient care centers; the median annual wages for this sector are $66,420 (BLS 2019). The wage percentiles in annual salaries for dietitians and nutritionists are as follows:
| [Same] |
| Career Outlook | Data from the BLS estimates the current number of dietitians and nutritionists is 70,900 (BLS 2019). The BLS (2019) predicts that 8,000 new jobs in this field will be created (2018-2028)—an 11 percent growth rate nationally, which is more than double the average for all occupations (BLS 2019). State-specific career-outlook data from the BLS shows states with the highest employment levels for nutritionists (BLS 2019). Five states with the highest level of nutritionist and dietitian employment are:
| [Same] |
| Professional associations |
| [Same] |
Rachel Drummond, MEd
WriterRachel Drummond has written about integrating contemplative movement practices such as yoga into healthcare professions since 2019, promoting the idea that mental and physical well-being are critical components of effective patient care and self-care in the high-stress world of healthcare.
Rachel is a writer, educator, and coach from Oregon. She has a master’s degree in education (MEd) and has over 15 years of experience teaching English, public speaking, and mindfulness to international audiences in the United States, Japan, and Spain. She writes about the mind-body benefits of contemplative movement practices like yoga on her blog, inviting people to prioritize their unique version of well-being and empowering everyone to live healthier and more balanced lives.