Registered Dietitian Versus Nutritionist

Registered Dietitians and nutritionists are professionals who study in the field of food, diet, and health. However, despite both terms often being used interchangeably, the two are not synonymous. There are some key differences between the two worth knowing from an education, training, scope of practice, and regulations standpoint.

What is a Registered Dietitian? 

A Registered Dietitian is a medical professional who, under strict regulation and extensive specialized training, works in the field of dietetics, the science of food, diet, and health. A Registered Dietitian has completed studies from an accredited program with a degree centralized around dietetics. As of 2024, a Master's level or above in the advanced science and practice of nutrition and its relation to the treatment of medical conditions is required. 

A very competitive internship process governed through the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics (ACEND), is required to match to and then apply the didactic evidenced-based material into real-world practice. After years of higher-level education, one will spend over 1,200 hours in a dietetic internship program rotating through a variety of fields within the practice of dietetics including aspects such as clinical, community, and research. 

Following an internship, you may then qualify to sit for the credentialing exam through the Commission on Dietetic Registration (CDR). This culminating exam upon successful passing grants the earned title of Registered Dietitian Nutritionist (RDN) formerly Registered Dietitian (RD) which now more broadly encapsulates the role and scope of the profession. 

Registered Dietitians must keep up with continuing education units (CEUS) with 75 hours or more of education like many other allied health professionals to stay up to date with the latest advancements and best practices. Registered Dietitians may choose to further their specialization through credentials such as board certifications through the CDR like the Board Certified Specialist in Sports Dietetics (CSSD) or the Board Certified Specialist in Pediatric Nutrition (CSP). There are also other outside certifications relevant and respected in the profession that some may attain relative to their specific field such as the Certified Nutrition Support Clinician (CNSC) for clinical dietitians or maybe the Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist (CSCS) who work with athletes. Some advanced practitioners in the field have chosen to further their education through terminal doctorate-level degrees such as earning the Doctor of Clinical Nutrition (DCN) degree or a Ph.D. or other terminal-level earned doctoral degree in a related field. 

A Registered Dietitian must complete advanced training to work in settings such as hospitals, long-term care facilities, working with those with an eating disorder, and managing a chronic or acute medical condition, on top of other areas like working with sports teams, primary and secondary education, research, government and community settings, and in private practice. 

What is a Nutritionist? 

A nutritionist is more broadly anyone who may provide more general nutrition advice and education. The term nutritionist can be used often with little regulation and without formal training. Some states prohibit the practice without license while others are not protective of the public. 

Generally, these individuals work in a variety of less clinically oriented settings such as gyms and private practice. They may or may not have somewhat similar education and experience as their RDN counterpart as these professionals can not offer specific medical treatment or practice medical nutrition therapy (MNT). Some may have formal education, and certifications, and may currently be another healthcare provider while others may not be as this is a very loosely defined and regulated term that varies by state. They do not meet the requirements to become a Registered Dietitian (RD/RDN). 

What's the difference? 

While both professions may work in similar roles or to a similar end goal, in the United States, the difference often lies in education, training, and scope of practice. 

A Registered Dietitian is the only licensed and regulated medical professional who may treat and use medical nutrition therapy (MNT) with patients. They earn the distinction after years of formal higher education, hours of clinical experiential learning (Dietetic Internship Rotations), an credentialing exam, and depending on the state, licensure. They are tightly regulated by the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics. They are covered by insurance to deliver Medical Nutrition Therapy (MNT) by Medicare, Medicaid, and often many private insurance plans for certain diagnoses. 

A nutritionist may or may not earn formal education in nutrition. Nutritionists may have some background in health such as a Physician (M.D. or D.O.), Chiropractor (D.C.), or Physical Therapist (D.P.T) or other nutrition-related education that may qualify them to earn the Certified Nutrition Specialist (CNS) from the American Nutrition Association. In contrast, others have varying levels of other outside education, training, and certifications with much less rigor and regulation. These providers are generally not covered by insurance for their nutrition-related services and may not practice MNT.

Bottom Line? 

While there exists a variety of state legal regulations and paths for certifications and education inthe field of nutrition, only a Registered Dietitian across the country has the rigorous education,advanced training, credentialing exam, and continuing education to provide Medical NutritionTherapy covered by insurance. While many nutritionists may have significant medical education background or nutritional training, many do not who still use the term nutritionist. Since thereare a variety of rules and regulations by state, the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics (ACEND)along with the Commission on Dietetic Registration (CDR) gives the only path in the UnitedStates for Dietetic training and recognition across the country. While both may work in similarroles, Registered Dietitians may have a more clinical role regarding treating one's health withnutrition. Many employers value the RD/RDN credential as a trustworthy source for nutritionand dietetics expertise. Allied healthcare values the interdisciplinary role of the RD/RDN andmay refer patients to Registered Dietitians for MNT.