Hunger is a problem in many
rural areas of the country, including within the state of West Virginia. One possible solution to the problem is the state’s abundance of wild game meat, primarily venison. A group called Hunters Helping the Hungry in French Creek has organized food banks statewide that will accept game meat. Hunters must drop off the hunted deer at a participating meat processor, who butchers the deer and distributes it to over 600 food pantries and food centers statewide. As many West Virginia hunters have more deer meat than they can possibly eat, this unique idea provides a solution to two problems – letting deer meat go to waste, and feeding the hungry.
Dietitians are one group of practitioners who can help direct the hungry to the proper resources. They must be licensed in the state of West Virginia before they may legally practice. Additionally, dietitians must be registered through the Commission on Dietetic Registration (CDR) of the American Dietetic Association (ADA). If this sounds like a lot of requirements to fulfill and regulations to conform to, don’t worry. Here, we will explain the process of becoming a registered, licensed dietitian in the state of West Virginia, in an easily understandable manner.
West Virginia Dietitians: Getting Educated
West Virginia Code, Chapter 30, Professions and Occupations, Article 35-Board of Dietitians, says would-be dietitians must complete a baccalaureate or post-baccalaureate degree, as well as a planned, continuous professional experience of 900 hours, at minimum. The CDR specifies that, as of January 1, 2024, all registered dietitians will need a minimum of a master’s degree, and 1000 hours of supervised dietetic experience. The degree that you earn must be from an ACEND-accredited program (Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics). West Virginia’s complete list of programs accredited by ACEND is here . West Virginia’s ACEND-accredited programs include:
- DPD- Didactic Programs in Dietetics-This type of programprovides the coursework only that you will need to become a registered dietitian.
- DI- Dietetic Internship -This must follow a DPD, and consists of at least 1000 hours of supervised dietetic experience. [A listing of West Virginia’s DIs is here (link to Dietetic Internships)].
West Virginia Dietitians: Examination
The West Virginia Code also states that all applicants for dietetic licensure must pass an examination approved by the Board. That examination is the CDR’s Registration Examination for Dietitians, which is also required to become a registered dietitian. Read the Registration Examination for Dietitians Handbook for Candidates for complete information on registering for and taking the test. It costs $200 as of 2022, and is offered at the following West Virginia (and nearby) Pearson VUE test centers: Charleston, WV; Morgantown, WV; Roanoke, VA; Lynchburg, VA; Washington, PA; and Pittsburgh, PA. By test’s end, you will learn whether or not you have passed. If so, your card identifying you as a Registered Dietitian will be mailed to you by the CDR within a few weeks.
West Virginia Dietitians: Licensure
After receiving your CDR card, you are free to apply for licensure as a West Virginia dietitian. Use the New License (Registered Dietitian) form. Mail the application and requested documents to: West Virginia Board of Licensed Dietitians, 100 Dee Drive, Suite D, Charleston, WV 25311.
You will not pay anything until you have submitted your application, at which time you will be contacted by email from the West Virginia Board of Licensed Dietitians requesting payment. You will have five days from receipt of that email to pay your licensure fee. Your dietitian license will not be active until the Board has received your payment.
Each West Virginia dietitian license is renewable by June 30 of each year. Renewal is accomplished online through the Board’s portal. During each two-year period in which you are licensed, you must log 20 hours’ continuing education, and submit documentation of such when you apply for renewal. (You need not submit continuing education hours in the year in between each two- year period). You must also complete 75 hours of continuing education every five years to maintain your registration with the CDR.
If you have further questions about the licensure process in West Virginia, contact the Board at wvbold@wv.gov or (304) 558-1024.
West Virginia Dietitians: Salaries
West Virginia’s dietitians make $61,940 per year (annual median wage), or $29.78 per hour (hourly median wage), according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). Those working in diverse areas of the state may make more, or less, than the median, as is evident here:
| Metropolitan Area | Hourly Median Wage | Annual Median Wage |
| Charleston | $35.90 | $74,660 |
| Beckley | $35.77 | $74,400 |
| Northern nonmetro | $35.73 | $74,320 |
| Southern nonmetro | $29.48 | $61,330 |
| Huntington/Ashland WV/KY/OH | $28.90 | $60,110 |
| Morgantown | $28.04 | $58,320 |
West Virginia Dietitians Jobs
Once you are a registered, licensed dietitian in West Virginia, abundant job opportunities are available to you. Some recent openings include:
- Dietitian – Stonerise Summersville, Summersville
- Salary: $48,200-$61,000 per year
- Requires minimum of a bachelor’s degree from an ACEND-accredited program
- Requires Registered Dietitian credentials
- Requires West Virginia licensure
- Clinical Dietitian – Weirton Medical Center, Weirton
- Salary: $20.10 – $33.20 per hour
- Requires minimum of a bachelor’s degree from an ACEND-accredited program
- Requires one year of clinical dietitian experience
- Requires Registered Dietitian credentials
- Requires West Virginia licensure
- Diabetic Dietitian – Berkeley Medical Center, Martinsburg
- Salary: $50,200 – $63,600 per year
- Requires minimum of a bachelor’s degree from an ACEND-accredited program
- Requires Registered Dietitian credentials
- Requires West Virginia licensure
- Requires CDCES certification from Certification Board of Diabetes Care and Education
- Cardiovascular Diabetes Nutrition Educator – Joslin Diabetes Center, Cabell Huntington Hospital/St. Mary, Huntington
- Salary: $60,700 – $76,900 per year
- Requires minimum of a bachelor’s degree from an ACEND-accredited program (Master’s degree preferred)
- Requires Registered Dietitian credentials
- Requires West Virginia licensure
- Requires Certified Diabetes Educator (CDE) certification
- Requires experience in counseling patients in weight reduction and/or diabetes
- Ambulatory Nutritionist- Princeton Clinic, CAMC Health Center, Princeton
- Salary: $52,900 – $66,900 per year
- Requires minimum of a master’s degree from an ACEND-accredited program
- Requires Registered Dietitian credentials
- Requires West Virginia licensure
- Requires 5 years ambulatory/telemedicine experience