FCFN 101

Registered Dietitian

A registered dietitian or RD, is a graduate of the required academic training and supervised practice (dietetic internship) program. He or she has successfully passed the national registration exam for dietitians. (We will discuss the exam later in this course). An RD is the only nationally recognized title for a nutrition expert.

AND

Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics-An organization of food and nutrition professionals

ACEND

Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition in Dietetics-Serves and protects students and the public by assuring the quality and continued improvement of nutrition and dietetics education programs.

CDR

Commission on Dietetic Registration-Nutrition and dietetics credentialing protects and improves the health of the public and supports practitioner competence, lifelong learning and career advancement. CDR credentialed practitioners are recognized and respected as the food and nutrition leaders.

DPD

Didactic Program in Dietetics-The DPD provides the required dietetics coursework leading to a bachelor's or graduate degree. Graduates of ACEND-accredited programs who are verified by the program director may apply for Dietetic Internships to establish eligibility to write the CDR registration examination for dietitians.

DTR

Dietetic Technician, Registered-a food and nutrition practitioner who has completed at least a two-year associate's degree at a US regionally accredited university or college, required course work and at least 450 hours of supervised practice accredited by CADE or at least a bachelor's degree at a US regionally accredited university

Licensed Dietitian/Certified Dietitian

Many states have regulatory laws that either require or permit dietitians to be licensed or certified. There are several states that require a dietitian not only to pass the registration exam, but also a state licensure exam before obtaining a job in the field. This is to protect the state residents from receiving substandard care and to tighten regulations on medical practice.

RD

Registered Dietitian-completed the minimum of a Baccalaureate degree granted by a U.S. regionally accredited college or university, or foreign equivalent

Dietetic Technician

Registered dietetic technicians are trained in food and nutrition and are an integral part of the healthcare and foodservice management teams. Like RDs, DTRs must complete an academic program and supervised experience. They also must pass the national registration exam for dietetic technicians.

Special Certification for Registered Dietitians

Some RDs have achieved additional certification in specialized areas of practice, such as pediatric nutrition, nutrition support, renal nutrition, diabetes education, and most recently a sports dietitian board certification is being developed. These special certifications denote excellence in the area of practice. Many times additional continuing education is required to maintain the specialty certification.

CADE

The Commission on Accreditation for Dietetics Education is the American Dietetic Association's accrediting agency for education programs that are preparing students for careers as registered dietitians or dietetic technicians, registered.

Dietitian

The term "dietitian" usually implies a registered dietitian, or RD. However, this term has been used in the past to represent hospital foodservice supervisors and informally represent individuals who have a bachelor of science degree in Dietetics, but have not yet completed the required dietetic internship or successfully passed the registration exam.

Nutritionist

The term "nutritionist" has no standards of education or training. This means that anyone can use the title nutritionist with little or no training in the field- and many people do! Many states have established requirements that anyone working in the capacity of a dietitian or giving nutrition advice must have the credentials to do so.