A nutritionist is not a dietitian. Today’s terminology may be a bit confusing, but Registered Dietitian Nutritionists (RDNs), which are credentialed by the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, are not nutritionists. All dietitians are nutritionists, but all nutritionists are not dietitians. This article will further elaborate upon what makes a nutritionist a nutritionist.
Nutritionists may be certified by the Board for Certification of Nutrition Specialists or the Clinical Nutrition Certification Board. Training requirements for nutritionists vary from one state to the next, and most states do not require nutritionists to be licensed nor certified. A nutritionist generally provides advice to clients on how to eat healthily, lose weight, and reduce fatigue and tiredness through changing what they eat.
Nutritionists may treat a variety of health conditions, depending upon the laws of their state. Because nutritionists need not have certification or licensure, some states will not allow them to perform nutritional counseling or to diagnose and treat certain health conditions. Other states will allow nutritionists to perform nutrition counseling, but will not allow them to bill health insurance for their services.
States that do require certifications or licensure for nutritionists include: Maryland, Illinois, Ohio, Georgia, Alabama, Mississippi, Tennessee, Missouri, Iowa, Kansas, Nebraska, South Dakota, North Dakota, Montana, Wyoming. In states in which nutritionists are unregulated, anyone with an interest in nutrition may call themselves a nutritionist and perform whatever duties they desire.
If a Certified Nutrition Specialist (CNS) (certified by the Board for Certification for Nutrition Specialists) has state licensure, they are legally authorized to treat any health conditions an RD can treat. Some of their duties include:
Nutritionists may work closely with healthcare practitioners, registered dietitians, health coaches, and fitness instructors.
A nutritionist should possess the following skills:
Nutritionists usually work Monday through Friday, daytime hours, on schedules of 40 hours per week. They may work evenings and weekends as required.
Nutritionists may be employed within a wide variety of settings. These include, but are not limited to:
According to the U.S. Department of Labor’s Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), nutritionists working in the U.S. earn an annual mean wage of $61,270 (as of May 2019).
*Featured Nutritionist Programs:
Purdue University Global's Bachelor of Science in Nutrition Program is an approved holistic nutrition education program through the National Association of Nutrition Professionals (NANP).
Arizona State University's Nutrition Bachelors and Masters level programs online prepare students for careers in Health Education, Community Health, Food Analysis and more.
Liberty University's Master of Science in Human Performance - Nutrition combines two areas that are a natural fit in the field of health and wellness to give you a deep understanding of the role nutrition plays in optimizing athletic performance.
UNC's Online MPH With Nutrition Concentration. UNC's top-ranked public health school offers an online MPH with Nutrition concentration. Complete in 20 months. Bachelor's degree required. No GRE required..
American University’s online Master of Science in Nutrition Education will prepare you to become an influential leader in nutrition education and advocacy while promoting nutrition and healthy lifestyle choices in your community and beyond.
George Washington University's Online Master's in Integrative Medicine with a Concentration in Nutrition specialize in promoting health and wellness through nutrition.
Nutritionists may be certified, or licensed, or not. Most states don’t require certification or licensure for nutritionists. As mentioned above, states that do require certifications or licensure for nutritionists include: Maryland, Illinois, Ohio, Georgia, Alabama, Mississippi, Tennessee, Missouri, Iowa, Kansas, Nebraska, South Dakota, North Dakota, Montana, Wyoming. In these states, one must be a RD (RDN), CNS, or other licensed advanced nutritionist in order to practice. In other states, nutritionists need not be licensed/certified.
There are many professional organizations that certify nutritionists. The two major organizations, that are held in the highest regards by professional nutritionists, are:
Nutritionists may focus on different areas, including, but not limited to:
The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) includes nutritionists with dietitians in its labor statistics. It predicts that there will be many jobs for nutritionists over the next ten years. In fact, from 2019 to 2029, job opportunities for nutritionists are projected to increase by eight percent, a rate which is faster than the average project increase for all other occupations. People are beginning to understand the importance of nutrition in the prevention and treatment of certain health conditions and diseases. As this understanding continues to grow, jobs for nutritionists should continue to abound in the United States.
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