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    • Ultimate Guide for High School Grads and Community College Students to Become a Nutritionist or Registered Dietitian

    High School student studying to become a nutritionist

    If you are a soon-to-be high school graduate, a recent high school graduate, or a community college student, you might still be deciding what you want to be when you “grow up,” and that’s perfectly fine. You’ve likely felt lots of pressure from parents, advisors, friends and family, each giving you their opinions on what you should or shouldn’t do. There are many career pathways for you to explore. Some of them will fit your interests and temperament, and some will not. In this guide, we will talk to you about becoming a nutritionist or registered dietitian, two jobs you might not even have been aware of or contemplated. Here, we will help you to determine if either profession is right for you, talk about what education you need to become a nutritionist or dietitian, and discuss jobs within each career category. Get ready to learn how you can shape your future and become a nutritionist or registered dietitian!

    Table of Contents

    What is a Nutritionist or Registered Dietitian?

    A nutritionist is specially trained and educated in general nutrition, food, and health. Many nutritionists focus on the motivation, or behavior, behind a person’s food choices, and help others to change their dietary plans and consume food for a healthier lifestyle. Their profession may or may not be regulated by the state in which they work (more on that in a later section). Nutritionists may work in many different places, such as schools, private practice, hospitals, and research.

    A registered dietitian, which, to confuse matters even more, may also be referred to as a registered dietitian nutritionist, RD, or RDN, is educated and trained in nutrition, food, and health. They work with people in a variety of settings, including but not limited to hospitals, schools, long-term care facilities, and businesses. Registered dietitians can help treat a variety of illnesses through nutrition care. They must be nationally certified and licensed by the state in which they work.

    What Are the Similarities and Differences Between Nutritionists and Registered Dietitians?

    First things first: Keep in mind, every registered dietitian is a nutritionist, but every nutritionist is NOT a registered dietitian. That’s why these interchangeable terms can seem so confusing until you understand their similarities and differences.

    Registered dietitians must go to school longer than nutritionists. To become a registered dietitian in the United States, you must get a master’s degree from an approved program and complete an internship or experiential learning. Nutritionists, on the other hand, are not always required to have any specific educational credentials. Their educational requirements depend on the state in which they want to work and the certification they desire (if any). We will delve into education for both registered dietitians and nutritionists more deeply in a later section of this guide.

    Other differences between registered dietitians and nutritionists include:

    • Only registered dietitians can provide medical nutrition therapy to patients, which is a treatment based on nutrition that targets health conditions.
    • Registered dietitians must always be nationally certified, and usually state licensed.
    • The services of registered dietitians are more likely to be covered by a patient’s medical insurance.
    • The services of nutritionists are not usually covered by medical insurance.
    • Nutritionists may or may not need to be state licensed, depending upon the state in which they work.
    • Nutritionists have a variety of optional national certifications available to them.

    How Do I Know if Becoming a Nutritionist or Registered Dietitian is Right for Me?

    Reading through this guide will help you to know more about the process of becoming a nutritionist or registered dietitian and to decide whether either career is a good fit for you.

    • Compassion- having a real care for others, a wish to help others, and being able to provide emotional support to patients
    • Good oral communication skills – including listening and speaking to patients and other health care professionals
    • Good written communication skills – important in documenting and recording information
    • Problem-solving skills – being able to analyze information to find the best solution
    • Analytical skills – being able to find the underlying reasons for a patient’s behavior, and also to interpret or explain information to patients
    • Computer skills – having the ability to use software to enter data and process information
    • Computer skills – having the ability to use software to enter data and process information
    • Teaching skills – having the ability to instruct or coach others, including patients and other health care professionals
    View Nutrition Scholarships

    What Schooling Do I Need to Complete to Become a Nutritionist?

    If you want to become a nutritionist, you should first check with the regulations in the state in which you wish to work. This will determine if you need a license to practice nutrition, or if you can practice as a non-licensed nutritionist. This will also dictate how much education you need, if any (although getting some education in nutrition is always a good idea before advertising yourself as a nutritionist). You should also examine this list of nutrition scholarships(link to the scholarships list I just wrote) that can help you pay for your education.

    Getting an associate’s degree in nutrition is a good start to becoming a nutritionist. This degree, which usually can be completed in two years of full-time study, may help you to get nutritionist jobs that don’t require licensure. Some examples of associate’s degree titles include:

    • Associate of Arts in Nutritional Sciences
    • Associate of Science in Applied Nutrition
    • Associate of Science in Nutrition and Dietetics

    Examples of nutrition jobs that you can get with an associate’s degree include (but aren’t limited to):

    • Nutrition assistant
    • Nutrition aide
    • Nutrition and dietetics technician
    • Dietary manager
    • Food service associate
    • Holistic nutritionist
    • Weight loss counselor
    • Non-licensed nutritionist
    • Health or lifestyle coach

    Most states that require nutritionists to be licensed will mandate that you have a bachelor’s degree in nutrition. This degree takes about four years of full-time study to earn. (You may also get a bachelor’s degree on the way to becoming a registered dietitian, then finish out your RD education with a master’s degree). Examples of bachelor’s degree titles include:

    • Bachelor of Science in Nutrition Science
    • Bachelor of Arts in Nutrition and Food Science
    • Bachelor of Science in Integrative Nutrition

    Jobs that holders of a bachelor’s degree in nutrition may be eligible for include:

    • Licensed nutritionist
    • Health coach
    • Nutritional therapist
    • Nutrition educator
    • Public health nutritionist
    • Corporate wellness consultant

    You may wish to get a master’s degree in nutrition, especially if you want to pursue advanced certification as a nutritionist. Some examples of such degrees include:

    • Master of Science in Integrative Nutrition
    • Master of Science in Clinical Nutrition
    • Master of Science in Human Nutrition

    Master’s degree holders who are nutritionists may find employment as:

    • Certified Nutrition Specialist
    • Nutrition educator
    • Nutrition therapist

    What Schooling Do I Need to Complete to Become a Registered Dietitian?

    If you want to become a registered dietitian, you need a master’s degree in nutrition, dietetics, or a related field. Don’t select just any master’s degree program, however. The program that you choose must be accredited by the Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics (ACEND) of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics to qualify. An updated directory of approved programs can be found here. Examples of master’s degree titles that may lead to RDN certification include:

    • Master of Science in Nutrition
    • Master of Science in Dietetics and Nutrition
    • Master of Science in Applied Nutrition and Dietetics

    In addition to your master’s degree, you will also need to complete at least 1000 hours of supervised practice in dietetics. These programs must also be approved, and may or may not be included within your master’s degree program.

    After passing an exam (which we will discuss in the next section), you will be eligible for a job as a registered dietitian (RD) or registered dietitian nutritionist (RDN).

    Young dietitian working in her office

    Do I Need Certification to Become a Nutritionist or Registered Dietitian?

    Registered Dietitian National Certification

    Registered dietitians must be nationally certified by the Commission on Dietetic Registration. After you have completed your master’s degree and experiential requirements, you must pass the CDR’s Registration Examination for Dietitians. Beyond this certification, other advanced certifications for registered dietitians are available if you have specific education, training, or experience in certain areas, such as:

    • Board Certified Specialist in Pediatric Nutrition (RDN-CSP)
    • Board Certified Specialist in Obesity and Weight Management (RDN-CSOWM)
    • Board Certified Specialist in Gerontological Nutrition (RDN-CSG)

    Nutritionist Certification

    Nutritionist certification depends on the regulations and laws in the state in which you wish to work. You may opt for one of the following certifications if desired:

    • Certified Nutrition Specialist (CNS) – requires a master’s degree and 1000 hours of supervised nutrition practice
    • Certified Clinical Nutritionist (CCN)- requires a bachelor’s degree and post-graduate work plus passing an exam
    • Board Certified in Holistic Nutrition (BCHN) – requires a bachelor’s degree, completion of 800 hours of supervised nutrition practice, and passing a certification exam

    Other nutritionist certifications are available without completing a degree, such as:

    • International Sports Sciences Association Certified Nutritionist – must complete online coursework and pass an exam to earn this credential
    • American Fitness Professional Association Holistic Nutritionist- must complete online courses and pass an exam to earn this credential

    Do I Need State Licensure to Become a Nutritionist or Registered Dietitian?

    State licensure is separate from national certification, which we just described in the section above. This is where it gets kind of tricky. State laws regulating the practice of nutritionists and registered dietitians are changing all the time, and, unfortunately, are not uniform from state to state.

    Registered Dietitian State Licensure

    As of 2024, according to the CDR, state licensure, which may also be referred to in the state law books as state certification (talk about confusing!), is required for all registered dietitians practicing in every state EXCEPT:

    Nutritionist State Licensure

    According to the National Association of Nutrition Professionals (NANP), as of 2024, the following states do NOT require non-RD nutritionists to be licensed:

    Other states vary between something called “title protection” and “exclusive scope of practice.” In states with title protection, you may or may not be allowed to call yourself a nutritionist if you are not an RDN. In exclusive scope of practice states, a license is required to practice nutrition care and may be restricted to RDNs or Certified Nutrition Specialists (CNS). This might all sound very confusing, and it can be. Be sure to check with your state regulation board to see what its licensure requirements are for nutritionists.

    How Much Do Registered Dietitians and Nutritionist Make?

    The U.S. Department of Labor’s Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) groups registered dietitians and nutritionists in the same category, and lists a mean annual wage as of May 2023 at $71,280. Of course, this does not mean that you would automatically earn that amount as a registered dietitian or nutritionist just starting out. Salaries largely depend upon your experience, your educational level, and where you work. The states in which registered dietitians and nutritionists earned the highest salaries, as of May 2023, are:

    • California: $84,560
    • New Jersey: $82,330
    • Oregon: $82,280
    • New York: $80,510
    • Alaska: $80,100          

    What Kind of Jobs Can I Get as a Registered Dietitian?

    Registered dietitians may work in a variety of settings. Their titles may include:

    Examples of settings in which you see registered dietitians working are:

    • Hospitals
    • Long-term care facilities
    • Outpatient clinics
    • Businesses
    • Non-profit organizations
    • Community centers
    • Public health centers
    • Retail
    • Food service
    • Schools
    • Research

    What Kind of Jobs are Available for Nutritionists?

    Nutritionists work in different places as well, depending upon the state and licensure requirements. They may be referred to as:

    Settings in which you can find nutritionists working include:

    • Outpatient centers
    • Weight loss clinics
    • Inpatient health care centers
    • Research
    • Schools
    • Nonprofit organizations
    • Private practice

     

    Conclusion

    We hope that this guide to becoming a nutritionist or registered dietitian has answered any questions you might have as a recent high school graduate or community college student. Remember, the information provided here is only a guide, designed to give you the latest information on education and career pathways for nutritionists and registered dietitians. Make sure to do your own research before committing yourself to any career option.