Since May 2021, New Jersey
ranks as the fourth-highest paying state in which registered dietitians work, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). New Jersey’s governor signed a bill into law in January, 2020 that will eventually require for the licensure of registered dietitians in the state. However, as of September 2022, the state is not yet issuing licenses to registered dieticians. Here, we will examine more closely how you can become a New Jersey registered dietician, and how you can ensure that you are prepared to become a New Jersey licensed, registered dietitian once the State Board of Dieticians and Nutrition starts issuing licenses.
Education Needed for Registered, Licensed Dietitians in New Jersey
The State Board of Dietitians and Nutrition in New Jersey requires that all prospective licensed dietician nutritionists (their official term for dieticians) follow the mandates of the Commission on Dietetic Registration (CDR) to become a registered dietitian. This includes accomplishing an educational degree program that is approved by the Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition & Dietetics (ACEND). A complete list of approved New Jersey programs may be found here (link to Registered Dietitian Schools article). You will find that educational programs for registered dieticians in New Jersey fall into one of these categories:
- Didactic Program in Dietetics (DPD)- New Jersey has three DPDs offered, each of which provides students with just the coursework portion of the registration/licensure requirement, not the experience part.
- Dietetic Internship (DI)- New Jersey offers five DIs, and these are to be taken after completion of a DPD. They provide at least 1000 hours of supervised dietary experience.
- Coordinated Program in Dietetics (CP)- New Jersey has one CP. A CP integrates the required coursework with a supervised dietary practice experience, all in one program.
- Graduate Program (GP)- New Jersey offers one GP. A GP is like a CP, combining coursework and experience, but culminates in a graduate degree. GPs are quickly becoming the norm for ACEND-accredited practices, as the CDR is changing its degree requirements for registered dieticians as of Jan. 1, 2024 to a graduate degree.
Registered Examination for Dietitians in New Jersey
The State Board of Dietitians and Nutrition in New Jersey, and the CDR, both require anyone wishing to become a registered dietician to pass the CDR’s Registration Examination for Dietitians. Review the Registration Examination for Dieticians Handbook for Candidates in its entirety, as you will glean valuable information about the examination. Pearson VUE testing centers handle the registration and collect your $200 fee. You may choose from the following New Jersey Pearson VUE test centers to take your exam: Princeton, Piscataway, Jersey City, Atlantic City, Lyndhurst, or nearby centers in New York and Pennsylvania.
The CDR will send your registration card to you by mail if you pass the exam. Until the licensure process is codified, once you receive that card, you may legally work as a registered dietitian eligible to practice in the state of New Jersey.
Registered Dietitian Licensure in New Jersey
Although the New Jersey licensure bill for dietitians was signed into law in 2020, the Board is not yet issuing licenses to dietitians in the state. This means that once you have your CDR card proclaiming that you are a registered dietician, you may legally practice in New Jersey. If you have any questions about when licensure will start, contact the Board’s Executive Director, Courtney Turner, at TurnerC@dca.njoag.gov.
Registered Dietitian Salaries in New Jersey
As mentioned above, as of May 2021, New Jersey is the fourth-highest paying state in which dietitians and nutritionists work, earning an hourly mean wage of $35.98 and an annual mean wage of $74,850. Those working in the Trenton area earn higher than average salaries, at $36.64 for an hourly mean wage and $76,220 annual mean wage. Dietitians in Atlantic City/Hammonton make a bit less, at $33.79 hourly mean wage and $70,280 annual mean wage. Dietitians in the Vineland/Bridgeton area earn $33.79 as an hourly mean wage and $70,270 as an annual mean wage.
Registered Dietitian Jobs in New Jersey
Although the state has yet to issue licenses to registered dietitians in New Jersey, there are ample jobs throughout the state. Some examples, posted as of September 2022, include:
- Dietitian Per Diem – Englewood Health, Englewood
- Salary: $76,400-$96,800/year
- Bachelor’s degree required
- Registered Dietitian credentials required
- Dietitian/Nutritionist – Sanitas, Union City
- Salary: $68,000 – $86,200/year
- Bachelor’s degree required, graduate degree preferred
- Registered Dietitian credentials required
- Two years of registered dietitian experience required
- Inpatient Registered Dietitian – Valley Health System of Ridgewood, Ridgewood
- Salary: $61,800-$78,200/year
- Bachelor’s degree required, graduate degree preferred
- Registered Dietitian credentials required
- One years of clinical dietitian experience required
- Nutritionist/Registered Dietitian – Saint Peter’s Healthcare System, New Brunswick
- Salary: $52,000-$83,000/year
- Bachelor’s degree required, graduate degree preferred
- Registered Dietitian credentials required
- Registered Dietitian – Cooper University Health Care, Voorhees
- Salary: $56,900-$72,100/year
- Bachelor’s degree required
- Registered Dietitian credentials required