Known as the Sunshine State, it
has been reported by the Centers for Disease Control that half of all adult Floridians get at least 150 minutes of moderate intensity physical activity each week. Yet, only 20 percent eat vegetables at least once a day, 36 percent are overweight, and 26.2 percent are classified as obese.
Floridians need professionals who have received education and training in nutrition and dietetics to help them address various dietary and food concerns. Some Floridians might not understand what foods are healthy, and others might not have access to them. Registered dietitians can help Floridians make better food choices, and learn to control health and wellness through dietary changes. If you want to learn how to become a registered dietitian in Florida, keep reading.
Regulation of Registered Dietitians in Florida
The Dietetics and Nutrition Practice Council regulates registered dietitians in Florida. They enforce the provisions of the state’s Dietetics and Nutrition Practice Act. They may be contacted by:
Dietetics and Nutrition Practice Council
P.O. Box 6330
Tallahassee, FL, 32314-6330
Phone (850) 245-4373
Email: mqa.dieteticsnutrition@flhealth.gov
Registered dietitians are regulated on a national level by the laypersons, as the Commission on Dietetic Registration (CDR) of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics. You must meet the requirements of the CDR and of the Council to become a registered dietitian in Florida. Fortunately, their qualifications are the same.
Education and Experience for Registered Dietitians in Florida
Educational rules for registered dietitians are changing. As of January 1, 2024, the CDR will require all registered dietitians to have at least a master’s degree. The previous requirement was a bachelor’s degree. Some, but not all, schools have changed their degree programs to reflect this upgrade. At any rate, you must select a program that has received accreditation through ACEND, the Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics. link to Registered Dietitian Schools list – Florida section These are the categories of accredited program types that are offered in Florida as of 2022:
Coordinated Program in Dietetics (CP)– This type of program offers students a degree in nutrition or a related field, has a supervised practice experience consisting of at least 1000 hours integrated within it. Florida has two ACEND-accredited coordinated programs in dietetics.
Didactic Program in Dietetics (DPD)– This type of program consists of just coursework that ends in a degree in nutrition or a related field. It must be followed by a Dietetic Internship (DI), comprised of 1000 hours of supervised practice, often in one or more concentrations. Florida has 5 DPDs and 14 DIs.
Graduate Program – This type of program culminates in a master’s degree, and includes both coursework and 1000 hours of supervised practice. Florida has two ACEND-accredited graduate programs.
Students in Florida have the option of taking courses online, in person, and in a hybrid fashion.
Commission on Dietetic Registration Examination in Florida
Once you have completed your coursework and supervised experience, you must pass the CDR’s Examination for Registered Dietitians. The dietetics program director at your college or university will give you information on how to apply to take the test. They will also provide you with the Registration Examination for Dietitians Handbook for Candidates, which gives valuable details about the entire examination process.
When your application has processed, you will be issued an Authorization to Test from Pearson VUE, the testing center company. They will instruct you to pay the exam fee of $200 online by credit card at exam registration. Choose a Pearson VUE testing center that is most convenient for you to take the exam. In Florida, exam centers may be found in Lakeland, Tampa, Orlando, Port Charlotte, Plantation, Deerfield Beach, Fort Myers, St. Petersburg, Altamonte Springs, Tallahassee, Jacksonville, Gainesville, Miami, and Pembroke Pines.
The length of the examination varies, but will be between 125 and 145 questions, computerized. Questions cover the principles of dietetics, nutrition care for individuals and groups, management of food and nutrition programs and services, and foodservice systems.
Your score report will print at the end of the exam. If you pass, the CDR will send you your registration card via mail. Failure of the exam requires that you wait 46 days before you can receive a reauthorization to take the test again.
Registered Dietitian Licensure in Florida
Passing the Registration Examination for Dietitians makes you eligible to apply for licensure to practice dietetics in Florida. You may apply online or through paper application. You must pay a $165 licensure fee. Have your official transcripts sent from your educational institution(s) to:
Dietetics and Nutrition Practice Council
4052 Bald Cypress Way Bin C-05
Tallahassee, FL 32399-3255
(please note that this address is different from the address to which applications are sent, which is listed in an above section)
You must achieve 30 hours of continuing education and renew your license every other year. Renewals are done online, and you must pay the $80 renewal fee online as well.
Earnings of Registered Dietitians in Florida
Florida has the fourth-highest employment level for dietitians and nutritionists of all the states, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). As of May 2021, there were 3520 dietitians and nutritionists working in Florida, making an annual mean wage of $62,320.
Certain cities across Florida pay dietitians higher than the state average wage. For example, Jacksonville’s dietitians earn $82,420 annually. Dietitians working in Naples/Immokalee/Marco Island make $71,410 per year. Those working in the Palm Bay/Melbourne/Titusville area earn $69,560 annually. Dietitians in the Crestview/Fort Walton Beach/Destin area make $66,570 per year. Registered dietitian earnings in Florida for other areas include:
- Lakeland/Winter Haven $49,260
- Cape Coral/Fort Myers $52,220
- Tallahassee $53,040
- Orlando/Kissimmee/Sanford $56,060
- Ocala $56,800
- Deltona/Daytona Beach/Ormond Beach $57,210
- Port St. Lucie $58,480
- Tampa/St. Petersburg/Clearwater $61,040
- North Port/Sarasota/Bradenton $61,740
- Pensacola/Ferry Pass/Brent $62,460
- Gainesville $62,580
- Miami/Fort Lauderdale/West Palm Beach $63,430
- North Florida nonmetropolitan area $64,290