National Nutrition Month Spotlight: How to Become a Registered Dietitian

If you’re passionate about nutrition and helping others build a healthy relationship with food, becoming a dietitian may be the perfect career path for you. As dietitians who have gone through this journey ourselves, we know firsthand the challenges, rewards, and even frustrations that come with becoming an RD. Whether you’re just starting to explore this field or are already on the path, we want to give you an honest, inside look at what it takes—including the parts no one talks about, like the unpaid internship.

What’s the Difference Between a Dietitian and a Nutritionist?

One of the most common questions we hear is: What’s the difference between a registered dietitian (RD/RDN) and a nutritionist? While all dietitians are nutritionists, not all nutritionists are dietitians. The RD credential requires a standardized education, supervised practice, and passing a national exam, whereas the term "nutritionist" is not regulated in many states. This means that anyone—regardless of education or experience—can call themselves a nutritionist. RDs, on the other hand, are trained to provide evidence-based nutrition therapy and work in clinical, community, and specialized settings. If you're looking for a highly trained nutrition professional, choosing a registered dietitian ensures they have met rigorous educational and professional standards.

What Does a Dietitian Actually Do?

Registered dietitians (RDs) or registered dietitian nutritionists (RDNs) are credentialed nutrition professionals trained to provide medical nutrition therapy (MNT), guide individuals toward balanced eating habits, and develop nutrition programs for a variety of populations. We work in a wide range of settings—hospitals, private practice, sports nutrition, public health, and food service management, to name a few.

Step 1: Earn a Bachelor’s (and Now, a Master’s) Degree in Nutrition or Dietetics

To become a dietitian, you must complete an accredited degree program in dietetics, nutrition, or a related field. The Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics (ACEND) oversees these programs in the U.S. Coursework includes:

• Biochemistry and metabolism

• Food science and culinary skills

• Medical nutrition therapy

• Human anatomy and physiology

• Public health and community nutrition

• Counseling and behavior change strategies

• Research and statistics

As of January 1, 2024, the Commission on Dietetic Registration (CDR) now requires a master’s degree to sit for the RD exam. This means additional time (and money) spent in school, which can be a barrier for some students. If you earned your bachelor’s degree before 2024, you might still qualify under the previous requirements.

Step 2: Complete a Dietetic Internship (DI) – And Yes, It’s Unpaid

After finishing your degree, you must complete a dietetic internship (DI) or an ACEND-accredited supervised practice program. This is where things get tough—because most internships are full-time, unpaid, and highly competitive. We both remember how difficult it was to balance internship hours, coursework, and basic life expenses with no income. Internships typically require 1,000 to 1,200 supervised practice hours in:

• Clinical nutrition (hospitals, long-term care, outpatient clinics)

• Food service management (school meal programs, healthcare facilities)

• Community nutrition (WIC programs, public health initiatives, nonprofit organizations)

Some students choose a Coordinated Program (CP), which combines coursework and supervised practice, eliminating the need for a separate internship. Either way, the reality is that this step often comes with financial strain and long hours.

Step 3: Pass the Registered Dietitian Exam

After completing your internship, you’ll need to pass the national RD exam administered by the CDR. It’s a computer-based, multiple-choice test covering:

• Principles of dietetics

• Nutrition care for individuals and groups

• Foodservice systems management

• Counseling and communication skills

Many dietitians spend weeks or months studying for this exam, and while it’s not impossible, it’s definitely a nerve-wracking final step.

Step 4: Obtain State Licensure (If Required)

Depending on where you plan to practice, your state might require licensure or certification. Some states automatically recognize the RD credential, while others have additional steps. It’s important to check your state’s requirements early on so you’re prepared.

Step 5: Continuing Education

Becoming a dietitian isn’t a one-and-done process. To maintain your RD credential, you have to complete 75 continuing education units (CEUs) every five years. These can include:

• Attending nutrition conferences

• Taking advanced courses

• Participating in workshops or webinars

• Conducting research or publishing articles

• Specializing in areas like diabetes management, eating disorders, or sports nutrition

The truth? Some CEUs are interesting and useful, while others feel like a chore. But ongoing education is necessary to stay up to date with the latest research and best practices.

The Reality of Being a Dietitian: The Good and the Challenging

While we both love being dietitians, we won’t sugarcoat it—this field has its ups and downs.

✅ The Best Parts:

• Helping people build better relationships with food

• Seeing clients improve their health and confidence

• The variety of career paths (you’re not stuck in one role forever!)

• The ability to start your own practice and be your own boss

❌ The Challenges:

• The cost of education and unpaid internship – Many new dietitians start their careers with student debt and little financial support during their internships.

• The RD exam is expensive and stressful – You only get so many attempts before you have to start the process over.

• Low starting salaries – Many dietitians start with salaries lower than other healthcare professionals, which can be frustrating considering the amount of education required.

• Constant nutrition misinformation – We spend a lot of time debunking myths from social media and diet culture.

Is This Path Right for You?

Becoming a dietitian is rewarding, but it’s not an easy journey. The education, internship, and exam requirements can be exhausting, and the unpaid internship is a real barrier. But if you’re passionate about nutrition and helping others, the hard work pays off. If this field excites you, keep pushing forward—it's a fulfilling and impactful career that truly makes a difference.