What is a Registered Dietitian?

According to the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, a Registered Dietitian (RD) is a food and nutrition expert who has met the Commission on Dietetic Registrations (CDR) criteria. 

In order to become an RD, a person must complete a bachelor’s degree from an accredited university or college. After this is completed, a person must complete a Deitetic Internship (DI). The DI usually takes a year to complete. Once it is completed, the individual is qualified to take the RD examination. Once the RD examination is passed, the person obtains their RD status. The RD status is upheld with continuing education requirements. In addition to RD credentialing, many states have their own regulation laws. 

It is important to note that the Registered Dietitian has a college degree, years of advanced training, and the credentials from passing a national exam. 

Registered Dietitians work in a wide variety of industries, including hospitals, long term care facilities, sports nutrition, corporate wellness, community and public health, and private practice.