The Connecticut Department of
Public Health requires that all registered dietitian nutritionists working in the state become certified before they may legally practice there. This applies to all registered dietitians, and also provides protection for the titles “Connecticut Certified Dietitian,” “Connecticut Certified Nutritionist,” and the letters C.D.-N, C.D., and C.N. Connecticut follows the regulations set by the Commission on Dietetic Registration (CDR) of the American Dietetic Association. Keep reading to discover how you can become a registered dietitian who is certified to practice in Connecticut.
Experience and Education Required of Registered Dietitians in Connecticut
Under the Dietitian-Nutritionists Practice Act of Connecticut, anyone who wishes to become a registered dietitian in Connecticut must have a master’s degree or higher from a program approved by the CDR and accredited by the Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics (ACEND), and must have passed the CDR’s registration examination. A list of ACEND-approved programs in Connecticut is here (link to Registered Dietitian schools page). Another way to fulfill Connecticut’s educational requirements, per this Act, is to pass another examination “prescribed by the commissioner” and receive a master’s or doctoral degree with a major in human nutrition or dietetics. The program must consist of at least 30 graduate semester credits, 21 of which must be in the following subjects:
- Human nutrition or nutrition throughout the life cycle
- Nutrition biochemistry
- Nutrition assessment
- Food composition or food science
- Health education or nutrition counseling
- Nutrition in health and disease
- Community nutrition or public health nutrition
These, of course, are the same subjects that students who choose ACEND-accredited programs in Connecticut will take. Their program will result in a bachelor’s or master’s degree. Remember, however, that as of January 1, 2024, the CDR requires all registered dietitians to have a minimum of a master’s degree. Many, but not all, schools are changing their programs to reflect this change.
In any program that you take, you will also be expected to complete a minimum of 1000 hours of supervised dietary practice. This experience must be directly supervised by a registered dietitian.
Examination Required of Registered Dietitians in Connecticut
The CDR’s Registration Examination for Dietitians is required for certification as a dietitian in Connecticut. Study the Registration Examination for Dietitians Handbook for Candidates thoroughly. You will register online for the assessment, and pay $200 as an exam fee. Pearson VUE testing centers administer the test. Centers in Connecticut are in cities such as New Haven, Wethersfield, and Norwalk.
The exam is computerized, and you will know your score before leaving the examination center. Your CDR card will be mailed to you, and then you can take the next steps to become certified as a dietitian in Connecticut.
Becoming Certified as a Dietitian in Connecticut
The CDR must send written verification that you passed the Registration Examination for Dietitians to the Connecticut Department of Public Health, along with this form. You must complete the certification application online and pay the $190 application fee. Any documentation, including your CDR verification, must be mailed to:
Connecticut Department of Public Health
Dietitian/Nutritionist Certification
410 Capital Avenue, MS# 12 APP
P.O. Box 340308
Hartford, CT 06134
If you have any questions, email [email protected]. Your certification is renewable annually, and must be accompanied by a $105 renewal fee when you conduct renewal online.
Salaries of Registered Dietitians in Connecticut
There are 770 dietitians and nutritionists working in Connecticut as of May 2021, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). Their annual median wage is $62,170. Those earning in the top 25 percent bring home $77,600 per year, while those earning in the top 10 percent earn $94,870 yearly. Dietitians who work in cities and towns across Connecticut may make differing salaries. Dietitians working in Danbury, for example, earned $73,630 as of May 2021. Those working in Bridgeport/Stamford/Norwalk brought home $66,530.
Employment of Registered Dietitians in Connecticut
Once you have your registration and certification as a dietitian in Connecticut, jobs are usually readily available. These jobs for registered, certified dietitians in Connected were posted as of July 2022:
- Dietitian, State of Connecticut Department of Mental Health – Hartford, CT
- Salary: $71,315 to $96,763/year
- Requires RD credential, certification by state of Connecticut
- Clinical Dietitian, Cigna – Hartford, CT
- Salary: $60,400 to $100,600/year
- Requires RD credential, certification by state of Connecticut
- Requires three years of nutrition care direct experience
- Clinical Dietitian, Masonicare Corp. – Wallingford, CT
- Salary: $55,000 to $80,000/year
- Requires RD credential, certification by state of Connecticut
- Requires one to three years of experience in a healthcare-related field
- Registered Dietitian Nutritionist, Ability Beyond- Danbury, CT
- Salary: $51,200 to $64,800/year
- Requires RD credential or about to take RD exam and state certification from Connecticut/eligibility for certification from state of Connecticut
- Experience a plus but not required
- Assistant Director of Athletics for Sports Nutrition (Specialist 1A), University of Connecticut – Storrs, CT
- Salary: $59,700 to $75,700/year
- Requires RD credential, state certification in Connecticut
- Requires three years of experience as a Registered Dietitian, including time working with intercollegiate athletics
- Master’s degree in nutrition and/or dietetics required