Is Becoming A Dietitian Hard?
When thinking about becoming a Registered Dietitian, you really shouldn’t make your decision based on whether it’s easy or hard . . . because it is hard. However, don’t let that scare you away! There are so many reasons to become a Registered Dietitian, and the work is worth it because it’ll help you become more qualified, confident, and knowledgeable when working with people to achieve their health goals.
RDs become RDs because they have a passion for people and nutrition. They know the life-changing power of food, and they can’t help but make it their mission to help people achieve their goals and overcome health obstacles through nutrition.
It doesn’t matter if working in private practice is your game or if you’re aspiring to be a clinical dietitian; the RD field can be incredibly rewarding. However, there is a lot to accomplish before you get that coveted “Registered Dietitian” title, and even more that goes into making it a fulfilling full-time career! Don’t fear, though—today, I am walking you through how to become a Registered Dietitian and some of the challenges that come with it.
Here’s what you need to do to become a Registered Dietitian:
Is Becoming A Dietitian Hard?
YES, and the key reason is the rigorous education requirements! One of the key differences between a dietitian and a nutritionist is the amount of schooling, certifications, and licenses an RD has compared to a nutritionist. In most states, you don’t need any special qualifications to be a nutritionist. However, RDs must have at minimum a master’s degree, complete an internship, pass the RD exam, and meet continuing education requirements!
Dietitians work hard to provide real nutrition counseling and strategies. This is a career to be proud of because you are the true nutrition expert! Of the 78,600 RD in the U.S. according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, there are HUNDREDS of career paths whether you want to work in long-term care facilities, corporate offices, or your own private practice. All take TIME, EFFORT, and a lot of LOVE for the field. You’ve got what it takes!
What You Need to Become a Registered Dietitian
Graduate Degree (if starting school post 2024)
Dietitian Internship
Passed CDR Exam
State License
Maintain Credentials by Getting 75 CEUs (continuing education units) Every 5 Years
Consider Pursing Specialized Certifications
How to Become a Registered Dietitian
Step One: Get a graduate degree in a related field.
The first step to becoming a Registered Dietitian is actually completing a degree. If you started schooling before 2024, you need a bachelor’s degree in a related field. However, if you are starting after 2024, the requirement has actually changed to a graduate degree. Here are some ideas for majors that would work for RD2Be.
Dietetics
Nutrition
Food Service Systems Management
Clinical Nutrition
Public Health Nutrition
Step Two: Completed an accredited dietetic internship.
After you get your degree, you still have lots of practical knowledge to gain! So, you need to join a supervised practice program, better known as a dietetic internship (or DI) and that internship needs to be accredited by ACEND (Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics.) They’re usually about 1,200 hours and can be in a lot of settings from hospitals to food service organizations to private practice offices and more. Once you’re done, you’ll obtain a verification statement for your CDR exam!
Step Three: Pass the CDR exam.
Now it’s time to officially get that Registered Dietitian title! To do that, you need to take and pass the CDR exam, which is the Commission on Dietetics Registration exam. You should spend several weeks studying for this, but understand the pass rate is pretty high! It’s not easy by any means, but you can do this.
Step Four: Get your state license.
Many states require a license to legally practice as a Registered Dietitian. You’ll need to research your state specifically and potentially talk with the licensing board for details on how to get your license.
Step Five: Maintain your credentials by doing continuing education.
To maintain your title as a Registered Dietitian, you’ll need to complete continuing education requirements to ensure you’re staying up-to-date in the ever-evolving field of dietetics. You’ll need to finish 75 CPEUs (Continuing Professional Education Units) every five years, maintain a Professional Development Portfolio (PDP), and potentially complete other state-specific requirements.
Step Six: Consider pursuing specializations.
If you want to niche down (i.e., help a specific subset of people with particular health goals) which I recommend as a Dietitian Business Coach, gaining more specialized certifications in your field can help you grow your practice or improve in your career!
Becoming a Registered Dietitian isn’t easy, but your passion and hard work will get you there!
When you decide to become a Registered Dietitian, it’s a choice driven by a true passion for helping people through nutrition. You want to make a difference, and being an RD is an amazing way to do that. If you’re ready to get started on your RD journey, follow the steps above. And if private practice is your end-game dream RD career, consider working with me as your dietitian business coach.
P.S. — Once you obtain your RD certification, reward yourself with a little dietitian-themed gift! You’ve earned it!