Registered Dietitian Status

Becoming a Registered Dietitian

A Registered Dietitian is recognized as a food and nutrition expert in the United States. Many jobs in food and nutrition fields require this credential.

There are four criteria that must be met to become a Registered Dietitian:

  • A minimum of a bachelor's degree must be earned at a US regionally accredited university or college.
  • A series of courses required by the American Dietetic Association known as the Didactic Program in Dietetics must be completed as part of an academic degree or by themselves.
  • An American Dietetic Association accredited Dietetic Internship must be completed.
  • A national registration exam must be passed.