A nonprofit organization,
Feeding South Dakota, recently noted that people who are insecure about food are vulnerable to obesity. Citing research by the Food Research and Action Center (FRAC), the report notes that people suffering from food insecurity face challenges in affording healthier behaviors that are needed to fight obesity. Those with food insecurity have restricted access to affordable yet healthy foods; cycles of food deprivation and resulting overeating; high levels of depression, anxiety and stress; and fewer opportunities for physical activity.
Educated and trained South Dakota health care professionals are vital to the fight against obesity in the state. Registered dietitians are just one of the many health care professionals who are engaged in this fight. Dietitians are specially trained in healthy nutrition and active lifestyles, and in using nutrition to fight disease as well as conditions such as overweight and obesity. If you think working as a registered, licensed dietitian in South Dakota sounds like an intriguing job, please keep reading.
Colleges and Universities to Train South Dakota Dietitians
The South Dakota Board of Medical and Osteopathic Examiners licenses dietitians in that state. They require that all dietician candidates fulfill the mandates of the Commission on Dietetic Registration (CDR) of the American Dietetic Association. That is, one must graduate with a minimum of a bachelor’s (as of Jan. 1, 2024, this requirement changes to a master’s) degree, 1000 hours of supervised experience, and pass the CDR exam for registered dietitians.
The college or university program you choose must hold accreditation through the Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics (ACEND). There are just three accredited programs in the “land of infinite variety” that is South Dakota, but you may choose any ACEND-accredited program in any state. Programs include:
South Dakota State University, Brookings – The Bachelor of Science in Nutrition and Dietetics is a Didactic Program in Dietetics (DPD). This type of program offers students the opportunity to fulfill just the coursework portion of the requirements. It must be followed directly by a Dietetic Internship (DI), which can also be found at South Dakota State University. (Keep in mind that this DI will close in May of 2025 and will accept its last cohort in fall 2022).
Another option for South Dakota dietary students is South Dakota State University’s Graduate Program (GP), culminating in a Master of Science in Nutrition and Dietetics. This is an accelerated bachelor’s-to-master’s program that provides all coursework and supervised experiential learning necessary within five years.
Examination for South Dakota Registered Dietitians
After you have completed your college training to become a dietician, you must pass the CDR’s Registration Examination for Dietitians. The Registration Examination for Dietitians Handbook for Candidates is a handy piece of information that will offer you all sorts of information on registering for and taking the exam. Pearson VUE accepts registration online, as well as the exam fee of $200. Choose any Pearson VUE test center to take the exam. The only center located in South Dakota is in Sioux Falls, but you may choose nearby centers in North Platte, NE; Bismarck, ND; Sioux City, IA; Fargo, ND; or Omaha, NE.
You will find out if you have passed or failed the exam at its conclusion. The CDR mails out registration cards to those who pass a few weeks after taking the test.
Licensing of Registered Dietitians in South Dakota
Passing the exam makes you eligible to become a licensed South Dakota dietitian. When you are ready, email sdbmoe@state.sd.us, including your full name and what kind of licensure you seek. They will send you directions for applying and tell you what fees you must pay for licensure. Your license renews each year and you must complete 15 hours of continuing education annually to maintain it. Additionally, the CDR requires that you complete 75 hours of continuing education every five years to maintain registration with their organization.
Salaries for South Dakota Registered Dietitians
In South Dakota, dietitians earn an hourly median wage of $28.52, and an annual median wage of $59,320 as of May 2021, per the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). Dietitians working in the Rapid City metropolitan area earn slightly higher salaries, at an hourly median wage of $29.93 and an annual median wage of $62,250. East South Dakota nonmetropolitan area dietitians earn slightly less, at $28.49 hourly and $59,260 annually. Dietitians in Sioux Falls earn $28.21 as an hourly median wage and $58,680 as an annual median wage.
Jobs for South Dakota Registered Dietitians
Registered, licensed South Dakota dietitians have many opportunities from which to choose. A few recently advertised jobs include:
- Dietitian – Aberdeen Medical Center, Sanford Health, Aberdeen
- Salary: $21.50-$34.50/hour
- Minimum of bachelor’s degree in dietetics/food and nutrition needed
- RD required
- South Dakota LD required
- Dietitian- Avera, Mitchell
- Salary: $47,700 – $60,500/year
- Minimum of bachelor’s degree accepted, Master’s degree preferred
- RD required
- South Dakota LD required
- Dietitian – Black Hills Surgical Hospital, Rapid City
- Salary: $44,900-$56,900/year
- Minimum of bachelor’s degree in dietetics with courses in food preparation and service required
- RD required
- South Dakota LD required
- Two years of dietary work experience required
- Clinical Dietitian – Morrison Healthcare, Rapid City
- Salary: $52,000-$62,400/year
- Minimum of bachelor’s degree needed, Master’s degree preferred
- RD required
- South Dakota LD required
- Traveling Registered Dietitian – Nutritious Lifestyles
- Salary: $35/hour
- Minimum of bachelor’s degree needed, Master’s degree preferred
- RD required
- South Dakota LD required