11 Dietitian Certifications To Consider as a Private Practice Dietitian
If you have a passion for nutrition, being a private practice Registered Dietitian is one of the most rewarding things you can do! As you probably already know, the process of becoming a dietitian and opening your online process is a long and hard road, but SO worth it. Still, after your years of schooling, intense accredited dietetic internship, rigorous Commission on Dietetic Registration (CDR) exam, and bold entrepreneurial journey, you may be curious about what other certifications are out there for RDs!
There are lots of reasons you may be interested in getting additional certifications, but let me start by saying this: You don’t need a special certification to help anyone. Your title as a Registered Dietitian is enough to make an impact in any nutrition and dietetic niche you want! So, if you want to get additional certifications due to feelings of inadequacy or concerns about lack of qualifications, let me be the one to tell you that you already have all the tools, skills, and ability to make a difference!
However, if you want to strategically use your required CEU hours to gain additional certifications to potentially expand your job opportunities or gain valuable resources to better help those you serve, it’s worth considering. So, today, I’m going to lay out some common dietitian certifications and what things to think about before spending the time and money on more credentials.
11 Dietitian Certifications To Consider as a Private Practice RD
Remember, your Registered Dietitian training was broad and provided more than a sufficient foundation for you to work in any area of nutrition counseling! So, don’t get a certification just because you want to narrow your niche as an RD and you think you need a specific title to work in a certain branch of dietetics. It’s just not the case.
However, I understand wanting to get more certifications for professional development! You already have required continuing education units, so if you’d like to use those to acquire more certifications that’ll give you more credibility to work with clients you care more about, have the confidence to take on more complex cases, or stay up-to-date on the most recent research and recommendations, go for it!
Just make sure you weigh the pros and cons of each one. Certifications can be a significant cost to your private practice, so you want to ensure that the time financial investments are worthwhile. There may be better ways to grow your business, expand your offerings, and generate more revenue. I recommend first looking to hire a Dietitian Business Coach like me, who can help you develop strategic, actionable steps to reach your goals while also advising on CEUs and additional certifications. If you’re not sure if nutrition business coaching is right for you, take this quiz.
Until then, check out these potential dietitian certifications and their pros and cons:
Board Certified Specialist in Obesity and Weight Management
What Are The Pros of an Obesity and Weight Management Certification?
Learn Advanced and Modern Approaches to Weight Loss
Gain Access to Advanced Tools and Resources
Stay in Alignment with Growing Demand
Gives You Knowledge to Work in Preventative Care and Early Intervention
What Are The Cons of an Obesity and Weight Management Certification?
Could Tie You to the Stigma of the “Dieting” Industry
Need to Stay Up-to-Date on Perpetually Evolving Standards
Clients May Adopt Inaccurate Expectations
Take on Emotional, Psychological, and Socioeconomic Issues of Weight Loss
Encounter High Level of Competition
Board Certified Specialist in Oncology Nutrition
What Are The Pros of an Oncology Nutrition Certification?
Join a High Demand Niche
Gain Ability to Make Significant Impact on Patient Outcomes
Acquired Credibility to Work with Multidisciplinary Teams
Secure Higher Salary
What Are The Cons of an Oncology Nutrition Certification?
Take on Tremendous Emotional Toll of Cancer Field
Leave Yourself Open to Complex and Demanding Cases
Commit to Heavy Ongoing Education and Research
Invest a Lot of Time and Money Into a Narrow Focus
Board Certified Specialist in Pediatric Nutrition
What Are The Pros of a Pediatric Nutrition Certification?
Join a High Demand Niche
Create Opportunity to Work in a Variety of Settings
Make a Bigger Impact on Early Life Development
Acquired Credibility to Work with Multidisciplinary Teams
Attract Long-Term Clientele
What Are The Cons of a Pediatric Nutrition Certification?
Encounter Challenging Parent-Child Dynamics
Commit to Heavy Ongoing Education and Research
Invest a Lot of Time and Money Into a Narrow Focus
Board Certified Specialist in Renal Nutrition
What Are The Pros of a Renal Nutrition Certification?
Gain Credibility and Knowledge in a Critical Area
Join a High Demand Niche
Gain Access to Advanced Tools and Resources
Acquired Credibility to Work with Multidisciplinary Teams
What Are The Cons of a Renal Nutrition Certification?
Encounter Complex and High-Stakes Nutritional Management
Experience Challenges in Client Compliance and Success
Invest a Lot of Time and Money Into a Narrow Focus
Commit to Heavy Ongoing Education and Research
Board Certified Specialist in Sports Dietetics
What Are The Pros of a Sports Dietetics Certification?
Join a High Demand Niche
Open Yourself to Diverse Work Opportunities
Have a Direct Impact on Athlete Performance
Stay Engaged in a Multifaceted Nutrition Field
What Are The Cons of a Sports Dietetics Certification?
Work Under High Expectations and Pressure
Open Yourself Up to Irregular and Demanding Work Hours
Commit to Heavy Ongoing Education and Research
May Experience Saturation in Certain Fields
Board Certified Eating Disorder Specialist (CEDS)
What Are The Pros of an Eating Disorder Certification?
Join a High Demand Niche
Gain Credibility and Knowledge in a Critical Area
Acquired Credibility to Work with Multidisciplinary Teams
Gain Ability to Make Significant Impact on Patient Outcomes
What Are The Cons of an Eating Disorder Certification?
Take on Tremendous Emotional Toll of Eating Disorder Field
Leave Yourself Open to Complex Cases and Poor Compliance
Added Responsibility of Boundary Management
Invest a Lot of Time and Money Into a Narrow Focus
Board Certified Specialist in Digestive Health
What Are The Pros of a Digestive Health Certification?
Stay in Alignment with Growing Demand
Learn Skill Set with a Wide Variety of Applications
Gain Ability to Make Significant Impact on Patient Outcomes
Learn Advanced and Modern Approaches to GI Health
Attract Long-Term Clientele
What Are The Cons of a Digestive Health Certification?
Take On Lots of Complex Trial-and-Error Treatment Plans
Encounter Challenging Cases that Overlap with Other Dietetic Areas
Commit to Heavy Ongoing Education and Research
Board Certified Specialist in Gerontological Nutrition
What Are The Pros of a Gerontological Nutrition Certification?
Join a Field with a Growing Demand (Rise in Aging Population)
Learn Skill Set with a Wide Variety of Applications
Attract Opportunities for Research and Education
Gain Ability to Make a Significant Impact on Patient Outcomes
What Are The Cons of a Gerontological Nutrition Certification?
Encounter Complex, Multifaceted, and Individualized Cases
Take on Emotional Toll of Caring for Aging Population
Deal with Physical and Cognitive Limitations of Clients
Board Certified Diabetes Care and Education Specialist (CDCES)
What Are The Pros of a Diabetes Care and Education Certification?
Join a High Demand Niche
Gain Ability to Make Significant Impact on Patient Outcomes Holistically
Attract Opportunities for Research and Education
Learn Advanced and Modern Approaches to Diabetes Management
Attract Long-Term Clientele
What Are The Cons of a Diabetes Care and Education Certification?
Commit to Heavy Ongoing Education and Research
Experience Challenges in Client Compliance and Success
Encounter High Level of Competition
Board Certified Lactation Counselor (CLC)
What Are The Pros of a Lactation Counselor Certification?
Learn Skill Set that Can be Complementary to Your Current Offerings
Join a Field with a Growing Demand
Make a Bigger Impact on Early Life Development
What Are The Cons of a Lactation Counselor Certification?
Attract Short-Term Clientele
Encounter Challenging Cases that Overlap with Other Pediatric Areas
Invest a Lot of Time and Money Into a Narrow Focus
Board Certified Health Education Specialist (CHES)
What Are The Pros of a Health Education Certification?
Gain Ability to Broaden Scope of Your Practice
Learn Skill Set with a Wide Variety of Applications
Attract Opportunities to Address Public Health Issues
Acquired Credibility to Work with Multidisciplinary Teams
What Are The Cons of a Health Education Certification?
May Not Bring Enough Opportunity to Justify Cost and Time
Have Potentially Limited Impact Due to Resistance and Lack of Compliance
There’s a lot to consider before getting additional certifications as a dietitian!
The biggest thing I want you to hear is: You are enough! Don’t get a certification because you feel your RD title isn’t adequate to charge a certain amount, work in a specific field of nutrition, or to gain the respect of others in the medical field. You are capable and worthy of the private practice you’ve always dreamed of, and more certifications aren’t necessary to get there.
For more on growing your practice or starting one, look into my nutrition business counseling services! I can help you at any stage strategically plan your next steps, build confidence, and turn your dreams into a reality!