How To Become A Qualified Dietitian

In order to maintain and enhance professional competency all members must acquire enough continuing dietetic education points to become a full member of hkda.

How to become a qualified dietitian. You will need to complete a degree in human nutrition and dietetics from a university program that has been accredited by the partnership for dietetic education and practice pdep. To practise as a dietitian you must be registered with the health and care professions council in order to register with the hcpc you must first successfully complete an approved degree in dietetics this is usually a bsc hons degree although there are shortened postgraduate programmes if you already have a relevant first degree. To become a registered dietitian nutritionist a path of higher education is a must as well as a dietetic internship from an acend accredited program and passing the national registration examination. Dietetics is a highly regulated profession where training and higher education matter especially since most states require a license certification to practice and in order to become licensed a secondary degree is required.

Alyson aliano getty images. However becoming a registered dietitian isn t as easy as knowing about a healthy diet. Accreditation is a robust process providing assurance to the profession students and the public that universities meet the standards. The pathway listed below is a common route many traditional students take but it is not the only path to become an rdn.

Along with obtaining your degree you ll need to complete a 1200 hour internship to qualify for the certification exam. Become a registered dietitian nutritionist. Forty six states require dietitians both rds and those who aren t to be licensed or certified. Our members are qualified dietitians who have completed a bachelor s or master s degree in nutrition and dietetics recognized overseas or locally.

To qualify as a dietitian you are required to undertake an approved programme at a university. Once you ve become certified as a dietitian you can also earn board certifications in a specialization such as geriatric pediatric sports or oncology nutrition. All dietetic programmes are approved by the health and care professions council hcpc and may also apply for accreditation by the british dietetic association bda. To become a dietitian you need a specific university degree a period of practical training and pass a national licensing exam.

Dietitians undertake mandatory tertiary study and are experts in dietetics using this knowledge to provide people of all ages with guidance on how to manage their diet reduce risk of illness. If you are interested in becoming a nutritionist and practicing medical nutrition therapy which means providing nutrition recommendations or plans for those with disease states i highly recommend becoming a registered dietitian nutritionist rdn or certified nutrition specialist cns.