Becoming a certified nutritionist is no easy feat. It takes dedication, skill, and perseverance to master this profession. Here are 6 steps to follow that will help you get started on your journey.
1. Get Your Degree
You’ll need to enroll in a college or university program accredited by the American Dietetic Association (ADA). They offer both undergraduate and graduate degrees. With this degree, you’ll have a solid foundation to launch your career as a nutritionist. Only after acquiring such a degree can you plan to go through nutrition certification for your desired future job. The ADA accredits both undergraduate and graduate degree programs for those wishing to become a dietitian or nutritionist. To be eligible for an undergraduate program through the ADA, students must first complete high school courses in biology, chemistry, physics, and math with at least a “C” average in each class.
2. Pass Proper Examination
To complete a nutritionist degree, students must take and pass the national exam administered by the Commission on Dietetic Registration (CDR). A meal planning and nutrition course is required for this certification, and students may opt to take the CDR’s national registered dietitian exam to become an RDN.
Study hard for your courses in nutrition and you could become a certified nutritionist. The most important thing is to take courses in dietetics so you understand how the body utilizes macronutrients like carbohydrates, fats, and proteins for energy storage, tissue repair and growth as well as for chemical processes within each system of the body itself.
3. Work Experience
You’ll need to do supervised work experience for at least one year under the supervision of a qualified, licensed dietitian. The desired work experience needed to become certified as a nutritionist varies according to the profession in which you wish to specialize. Contact the licensing boards of your chosen profession before attempting to gain certification. Licensing boards are responsible for administering exams that are required to become a certified nutritionist. Different regions require different certifications. For example, some states do not have legal requirements for nutritionists who work with the public while some states do have such requirements.
4. Complete The Dietetic Internship Program
Locate an educational program that qualifies students to sit for the exam you need to become a certified nutritionist. Some certification requirements may be fulfilled by completing courses in basic math skills and biology while others may require more extensive coursework in areas such as clinical studies or food chemistry. The ADA recognizes 15 approved internship programs across the country, but be sure to find one that fits you best.
5. Get Licensed
You must be licensed in the state where you plan to practice. Most states have adopted registration acts that require licensure, but some allow for certification only. The ADA offers lots of great resources for students who are studying to become nutritionists! They even have an internship locator app available for iOS devices so you can search all of the dietetic internship programs available in your area! Good luck with your future career!
6. Start Your Job Search
Finally, you’ll need to search for potential jobs in your area and take a registered dietitian nutritionist (RDN) certification exam. You can contact your state’s board of nutrition to find out how to become RDN certified. There are many benefits to becoming a registered dietitian nutritionist (RDN). First, you’ll be able to work with people one on one and help them improve their dietary habits. You’ll also be part of an important career that is constantly growing. There has been an increase in jobs for dietitians and nutritionists in the past years as awareness is raised on healthier options.
Finding a job you like is difficult because there are so many different kinds of jobs for nutritionists. Some work one-on-one with clients to help them develop healthy eating habits and lose weight, while others work in hospitals or other healthcare facilities to help patients address their nutritional concerns. To find the right nutritionist position, you can search online by keywords, such as “nutritionist” and the type of job you’re looking for. You can also contact companies that specialize in health care or food to ask if they offer any openings for nutritionists. Other times it might be easier to find a list of job titles that might include what you’re looking for.
