Dietitian vs Nutritionist - What’s the Difference, Anyways?
Registered Dietitian Nutritionist? Registered Dietitian? Dietitian? Nutritionist? What are these different terms, and why is it important to know the difference?
Honestly, if I wasn’t in the field, there’s a good chance I probably wouldn’t know the answer to this, or even think it was important. However, this is a very important distinction when you are seeking out nutrition services, to ensure you are comfortable working with someone who has the training, knowledge, and skills to help you in your healing. Especially here in California, where there are many Nutritionists claiming that they can heal you with some green juice, ashwaganda, and gluten-free sprinkles.
Believe it or not, anyone can call themselves a Nutritionist, but not everyone can call themselves a Dietitian. Basically, Every Registered Dietitian Is a Nutritionist, but Not Every Nutritionist Is a Registered Dietitian. California, in particular, has "Title Protection Without Formal State Regulation", meaning that the state restricts use of the title (Dietitian) to certain credentialed professionals (I’ll explain the process later in the post). You do need the credential to call yourself a Dietitian. Surprisingly, California has no Board, and no licensure is required to call yourself a Dietitian or to practice any aspect of dietetics.
In other words, in California, there is a step-by-step process you must complete to call yourself a Dietitian, just the same as any state that requires licensure. However, Dietitians don’t have a technical “license” here, because a Licensed Dietitian who became credentialed in California doesn’t exist. Here in California, all Dietitians have a credential, and it requires the same exact process to obtain it as a license would in a different state.
Dietitians have the option to call themselves just Dietitians, Registered Dietitians (RD’s), or Registered Dietitian Nutritionists (RDN’s). Regardless of what they choose, if they use the word “Dietitian” in their titles, there are requirements they must fulfill. For a Nutritionist: No requirements. Below are the 5 Steps Dietitians are required to go through. The Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics states it very clearly:
Complete a bachelor's degree and receive a verification statement from an ACEND-accredited program (Didactic Program in Dietetics, Coordinated Program, Future Graduate Program, Foreign or International Dietitian Education Program) Note, effective January 1, 2024, a graduate degree will be required to be eligible to take the Commission on Dietetic Registration. (Dietetic registration exam.)
Complete an ACEND-accredited supervised practice dietetic internship program or Individual Supervised Practice Pathway is an option. Supervised practice/experiential learning is combined with the Coordinated Program, Future Graduate Program, and International Dietitian Education Program. (1,200+ hours are required)
Pass the Commission on Dietetic Registration's dietetic registration exam. (AKA a board exam)
Gain licensure in your state of practice, if applicable. (Not in California)
Maintain continuing education.
Once again, a person calling themselves a Nutritionist does not have to complete a single one of these above steps. They may be very knowledgeable in nutrition, however they are not required to have any formal training, schooling, supervision, or pass a board exam to call themselves a Nutritionist. Now that you have this information, you absolutely have the freedom with informed choice to choose whether you find the above essential to your Nutrition Counseling.
