Nutritionist License: Becoming a Specialist

In order to become a nutritionist, one has to first obtain a bachelor's degree and then to get a nutritionist licensure. The areas in which one is recommended to get a bachelor's degree to profess as a nutritionist are represented by: dietetics, food service systems management, foods and nutrition.

To prepare for a license in nutrition, a student has to attend courses that cover aspects related to foods, institution management, chemistry, nutrition, biochemistry, physiology and microbiology. Those who are interested in becoming nutritionists have also to take courses in mathematics and communications.

Since in 2008, in the USA there were over 270 bachelor's degree programs and other 18 master's degree ones approved by the American Dietetic Association's Commission on Accreditation for Dietetics Education, the basis for acquiring expertise for nutritionist licensure is more than ensured.

In the States, there are 46 states and jurisdictions that have laws governing dietetics. Of these 46, 33 require license in nutrition, 12 demand statutory certification, and 1 requires registration. Each state has its own specific requirements. 
This is why the candidates for the license have to first determine in which state they want to profess in order to meet the specific requirements.

Only people who have passed the nutritionist license exam can work as nutritionists in states that require licensure. In those who ask statutory certification, there is no need for licensure, but the use of occupational titles is limited. Persons without licensure can practice as nutritionists, but cannot use certain titles. The least restrictive form that allows persons to practice as a nutritionist is registration.

Also useful for a person interested in passing the license exam is to obtain a certification from the Commissions on Dietetic Registration of the American Dietetic Association. This institute gives a certain credential (that of Registered Dietician) to those who take an exam after completing academic coursework and a supervised internship. Once they obtain the registered Dietician status, the nutritionists have to maintain it by completing at least 75 credit hours in continuing education classes taken every 5 years.

Therefore, a nutritionist career requires a lot of training, education and continuous updating of knowledge. Getting a nutritionist license is just the beginning. 

Read more: www.howtobecomeanutritionist.org