The New Mexico Department of
Health has identified obesity as a health priority. As of 2019, per New Mexico’s Health Indicator Data & Statistics, 31.7 percent of New Mexico’s adults are classified as obese. Counties with the highest rates of obesity include Carlsbad, Guadalupe, Cibola, and Union. In each of these counties, the obesity rates are above 38.6 percent.
Registered dietitians are one of the key health care practitioners to combat New Mexico’s obesity problem. They have advanced training in nutrition and can help people choose heathier foods, lose weight, and keep it off. In order to practice as a registered dietitian in New Mexico, you must have a license. Read on to discover what you must do to be a registered, licensed dietitian in New Mexico.
Education for Registered Dietitians in New Mexico
The New Mexico Nutrition and Dietetics Practice Board defers to the Commission on Dietetic Registration (CDR) and uses this agency’s qualifications for education for prospective registered dietitians. They require that all would-be registered dietitians complete an ACEND-approved degree program (ACEND stands for the Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition & Dietetics). You can view a list of all ACEND-approved schools in New Mexico. ACEND-accredited programs in New Mexico will be presented in one of the following formats:
- Didactic Program in Dietetics (DPD)- Two DPDs are in New Mexico. These degree programs give students the courses that they need to become a registered dietitian, but without the practice experience.
- Dietetic Internship (DI)- Two DIs are offered in New Mexico. These are programs offering supervised practice experience of a minimum of 1000 hours in duration. If you take a DPD, you must follow it up with a DI.
Examination for Registered Dietitians in New Mexico
The New Mexico Nutrition and Dietetics Practice Board also states that you must succeed on the CDR’s Registration Examination for Dietitians. Peruse the Registration Examination for Dietitians Handbook for Candidates and you will learn much regarding the test and the process of taking it. You will take the examination at a Pearson VUE exam center (this company also collects the $200 exam fee). One center is in New Mexico, in Albuquerque, but you may take it at any center, including nearby El Paso, TX; Amarillo, TX; Lubbock, TX; Midland, TX; Colorado Springs, CO; Tucson, AZ; Chandler, AZ; and Tempe, AZ.
You will find out how you scored as soon as you complete the exam. If you pass, you will receive your CDR registration care via USPS mail in a couple of weeks.
Licensure for Registered Dietitians in New Mexico
You are now prepared to apply to receive a license to work as a registered dietitian in New Mexico. Complete the Application for Licensure, and include a $50 application fee (which should be in the form of check or money order made payable to the New Mexico Nutrition and Dietetics Board), and a certified copy of the registration card from the CDR. Send this information to: New Mexico Regulation and Licensing Department
Boards and Commissions Division
Nutrition and Dietetic Practice Board
Toney Anaya Building
2550 Cerrillos Road
Santa Fe, NM 87505
If your application is approved, you will be asked to pay a $150 license fee. Your license is renewable yearly, at a cost of $75 per year. You must comply with the CDR’s continuing education requirements (75 credits in five years) in order to maintain your license. You will also pay a fee of $70 to the CDR every five years to maintain your registration with them.
Should you still have questions about becoming a licensed, registered dietitian in New Mexico, call the Board at (505) 476-4622 or email them at nutritiondieteticsbd@state.nm.us.
Salaries for Registered Dietitians in New Mexico
New Mexico’s dietitians make an hourly median wage of $29.37 and a yearly median wage of $61,090, per the US Department of Labor’s Bureau of Labor Statistics. Dietitians employed in the Albuquerque area make the highest wages in the state, at a $30.23 hourly median wage and an annual median wage of $62,880. Las Cruces’ dietitians earn $27.10 per hour on average, and $56,370 yearly. Those in the Eastern nonmetropolitan area of the state make an hourly median wage of $24.61 and an annual median wage of $51,190.
Employment for Registered Dietitians in New Mexico
Ample job opportunities exist for registered, licensed dietitians throughout New Mexico. A search of online classified ads in September 2022 turned up the following jobs available:
- Registered Dietitian, Clinical Sales Liaison – CVS Health, Albuquerque
- Salary: $60,400 to $120,800 per annum
- Must be a RD who is licensed in New Mexico
- Driver’s license needed
- COVID-19 vaccination needed
- Dietitian, Certified Specialist in Renal Nutrition – US Veterans Health Administration, Albuquerque
- Salary: $80,005 to $104,011 per annum
- Bachelor’s degree needed
- Must be a RD who is licensed in New Mexico
- Must be a Board Certified Specialist in Renal Nutrition
- Must possess at least one year of advanced practice experience
- Dietitian, Bariatric – Presbyterian Healthcare Services, Rio Rancho
- Salary: $57,100 to $72,300 per annum
- Bachelor’s degree needed
- Must be a RD who is licensed in New Mexico
- Prefer candidate with one to three years’ experience but new graduates will also be considered
- Registered Dietitian, Endocrinology – Independence Square, Albuquerque
- Salary: $73,200 to $92,600 per annum
- Bachelor’s degree needed, graduate degree advisable
- Must be a RD who is licensed in New Mexico
- Previous job-related experience preferred
- Registered Dietitian – Kewa Pueblo Health Corporation, Domingo
- Salary: $53,400 to $67,600 per annum
- Bachelor’s degree needed
- Must be a RD who is licensed in New Mexico
- Experience in a non-profit health care/community setting preferred