Dietitians are skilled professionals who help to plan and implement food and nutrition programs. Some dietitians work with individual patients, planning meals and coordinating care with physicians. Other dietitians oversee large-scale nutrition programs in institutions. This page will show you how to become a dietitian.

• Registered dietitians (RDs) assess the nutritional needs of people and develop individualized eating plans to either improve or maintain health.

• Demand for dietitians is expected to increase by about 9% through 2016. An increasing movement toward disease prevention, combined with an aging population, is projected to increase demand for skilled professionals to educate the population about ways to improve health through proper nutrition.Bureau of Labor Statistics: Job Outlook

• Salaries for dietitians vary, depending on where you choose to work and in what capacity.

1. According to CNN Money's salary wizard, as of March 2009 the average annual pay for a registered dietitian ranged from $39,967 to $60,172.Salary Wizard: Dietitian
2. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics said the annual salary for dietitians ranged from $31,830 to $71,130 in May 2007.Bureau of Labor Statistics: ...May 2007: Dietitians and Nutritionists

• A bachelor's degree is required to become a registered dietitian. Most students choose to major in dietetics or nutrition. Students hoping to become registered dietitians may take courses in:

1. Nutrition
2. Chemistry
3. Institution management
4. Biology
5. Physiology
6. Psychology
7. Mathematics
8. Statistics

• Many U.S. colleges offer majors in dietetics. The American Dietetic Association (ADA) lists more than 200 education programs approved by its Commission on Accreditation for Dietetics Education (CADE) on its website.American Dietetic Association: Accredited or Approved Education Programs

• In addition to a bachelor's degree, students hoping to become dietitians may choose to obtain a master's degree.

• Dietitians may choose to specialize in several different areas:

1. Clinical dietitians provide nutritional services, including:
   1. Assessment of nutritional needs
   2. Development of nutrition plans
   3. Implementation of nutrition plans
   4. Reports to physicians or other health care providers
   • These services are provided to patients in:
   1. Hospitals
   2. Nursing care facilities
   3. Outpatient care centers
2. Community dietitians provide nutrition information and counseling on an individual basis or in groups; they often work in:
   1. Public health clinics
   2. Home health agencies
   3. Health maintenance organizations (HMOs)
3. Management dietitians provide nutritional services such as meal planning to a variety of institutions, including:
   1. Schools
   2. Day care centers
   3. Correctional facilities
   4. Company cafeterias
4. Consultant dietitians are often contracted by health care facilities on a contract basis; they may also work for:
   1. Sports teams
   2. Wellness programs
   3. SupermarketsBureau of Labor Statistics: Nature of the Work

• In order to become a registered dietitian, you must obtain the necessary training and certification. While a majority of U.S. states require dietitians to be licensed, exact licensing requirements vary.

Obtaining the proper license often requires completion of an internship along with a written exam. Check with the state where you wish to work to find out specific requirements. The Commission on Dietetic Registration (CDR) offers an online list of state licensing agency contact information.

• To become an ADA-certified registered dietitian, you must:

1. Receive a bachelor's degree at a college accredited by the CADE of the ADA
2. Complete a CADE-accredited, six- to 12-month supervised practice program or internship at a:
   1. Health care facility
   2. Community agency
   3. Food service corporation
3. Pass a national exam given by the CDR
4. Complete continuing professional education requirementsAmerican Dietetic Association: Becoming a Registered Dietitian (230.08 KB)

• Dietitian Technicians, Registered, or DTRs, often work alongside registered dietitians, planning meals and instituting healthy eating programs in a variety of settings. A bachelor's degree is not a requirement to become a registered dietitian technician; a two-year associate's degree may be obtained instead.American Dietetic Association: Becoming a Dietetic Technician, Registered (206.48 KB)

• Once you have completed the necessary education requirements and training and have obtained certification, it's time to look for a job!

1. Prepare a resume and list all unique qualifications:
   1. Are you certified as a registered dietitian?
   2. Have you acquired specialized training?
   • Check out Mahalo's how to write a resume page for great tips on how to make your resume stand out.
2. Begin sending out your resume to prospective employers.
   • Monster.com and Careerbuilder.com can be excellent jumping-off points if you're not sure where to begin.
3. Consider posting your resume on dietitian-specific websites.
   • For example, the ADA offers an online Career Center that allows you to post your resume and receive job alerts. ADA membership is required to access the Career Center.American Dietetic Association: Careers and Students

Becoming a dietitian can be an incredibly rewarding experience, from educating seniors on ways they can get the most nutrition from their foods to helping school systems plan meals for young children. Dietitians work in a variety of environments, all with the same goal: to help others learn what to eat to maintain good health.