Navigating the world of nutrition professionals can be confusing, especially when you're trying to figure out the differences between a certified nutrition specialist vs. a registered dietitian.
While both roles aim to support better health through nutrition, their qualifications, education, and career paths vary significantly. It’s important to note that dietitians are nutritionists, but nutritionists cannot call themselves dietitians without earning the title.
This article will explore what sets them apart and guide you through choosing the right nutrition professional for your needs.
What Is A Registered Dietitian (RD) Or Registered Dietitian Nutritionist (RDN)?
A registered dietitian (RD), also known as a registered dietitian nutritionist (RDN), is a highly trained nutrition expert who can provide medical nutrition therapy (MNT).
This means they can help manage and improve various conditions, including diabetes, heart disease, and gastrointestinal disorders, through personalized dietary plans.
According to Verywell Health, RDs must meet rigorous educational standards, including earning at least a bachelor's degree, completing 1,000 hours of supervised practice, and passing a national registration exam. Starting in 2024, new RDs will also be required to hold a master’s degree.
Many registered dietitians work in hospitals or clinical settings, but they're also found in public health, private practice, and food service management. You can also find a dietitian with us at Berry Street, that can work with your schedule and covered by your insurance.
Their scope of practice includes providing individual and group counseling, managing complex clinical conditions, and conducting nutrition assessments.
The education and practical experience they undergo ensure they can apply the latest evidence-based research to their practice, making them highly trusted in the nutrition field.
What Is A Certified Nutrition Specialist?
A Certified Nutrition Specialist (CNS) is an advanced nutrition professional who is trained to provide science-based medical nutrition therapy, education, and research.
To become a CNS, candidates must obtain a master’s or doctoral degree in a relevant field such as nutrition, public health, or biochemistry, complete 1,000 hours of supervised practice, and pass the rigorous CNS certification exam administered by the Board for Certification of Nutrition Specialists (BCNS).
According to the American Nutrition Association (ANA), CNSs often work in clinical settings, private practice, or academia, and they focus on personalized nutrition approaches, tailoring care to an individual’s biochemistry and health goals.
Certified Nutrition Specialists often have a broader scope in functional and integrative nutrition compared to other nutrition professionals. They take an individualized approach, focusing on the root causes of health issues rather than conventional guidelines.
This holistic approach makes CNS professionals highly sought after in settings like wellness centers, private practices, and even industries like sports nutrition and corporate wellness programs.
What's The Difference Between A Licensed Nutritionist And A Certified Nutritionist?
Licensing
Licensing is one of the major factors that distinguish a licensed nutritionist from a certified nutritionist.
Several state regulations dictate that licensed nutritionists must meet specific requirements, such as holding a degree in nutrition and completing supervised practice hours, to provide medical nutrition therapy.
Licensed nutritionists often hold a CNS (Certified Nutrition Specialist) credential, which requires passing a certification exam and meeting supervised experience requirements.
However, the term "nutritionist" is unregulated in many states, meaning that anyone can use the title without formal qualifications.
Registered Dietitians must be licensed in states that require licensure for practice. This is often called an LDN or Licensed Dietitian Nutritionist.
Certification
Certified nutritionist specialists have met strict educational and experiential requirements.
To become a CNS, individuals must hold a master’s or doctoral degree in nutrition or a related field and complete 1,000 hours of supervised practice. They must also pass the Certified Nutrition Specialist Board Exam, which is updated annually to reflect the latest scientific advancements in nutrition.
Certified nutritionist specialists focus on functional medicine, tailoring their approaches to the individual needs of their clients.
Experiential Training
Both licensed and certified nutritionists need significant experiential training to practice. Certified Nutrition Specialists must complete at least 1,000 hours of supervised practice, which includes both client-based and education-based training.
On the other hand, Registered Dietitians (RDs) require between 900 to 1,200 hours of supervised practice. However, CNS professionals often focus on clinical settings like private wellness centers, whereas RDs tend to have broader experience, including hospital settings.
Board Exams
CNS professionals must pass the Certified Nutrition Specialist Board Exam, which is overseen by the Board for Certification of Nutrition Specialists. This exam ensures that candidates are well-versed in advanced nutrition, biochemistry, and functional medicine.
RDs, by contrast, must pass the Commission on Dietetic Registration (CDR) exam, which covers a wider range of nutrition science, clinical nutrition, and food service management.
Both exams are challenging and require continuing education for recertification.
Career Paths: CNS Nutritionist Vs. RD Nutritionist
CNS and RD nutritionists have distinct career paths.
CNS practitioners often work in functional or integrative health settings, focusing on chronic care and personalized nutrition in private practices.
RDs, on the other hand, typically work in hospitals, outpatient clinics, or community health settings and are more involved in acute care, such as managing patients with feeding tubes.
While both can work in public health, RDs are more likely to be found in institutional settings.
Scope Of Practice
The scope of practice varies significantly by state for both CNS and RD professionals.
RDs are licensed to provide medical nutrition therapy (MNT) and are often recognized in all states.
CNS professionals, while also able to provide MNT in some states, face more limited recognition, as not all states have licensure for CNS practitioners.
Both CNS and RD professionals are bound by state laws that dictate what services they can provide, with RDs generally having a broader scope of practice across the U.S.
How To Become A Dietitian
Becoming a registered dietitian nutritionist (RDN) involves completing several important steps. First, candidates must earn a degree in dietetics, nutrition, or a closely related field from an Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics (ACEND)-accredited program.
According to EatRight.org, as of January 2024, a master's degree is the minimum requirement to sit for the RDN exam. This requirement ensures that dietitians are prepared for the complexities of clinical nutrition and food service management.
After completing their degree, aspiring dietitians need to complete 1,000 to 1,200 hours of supervised practice in clinical, community, and food service settings, as outlined by the University of Michigan School of Public Health. This hands-on experience is crucial for developing the skills required in real-world nutrition care.
Once the required practice hours are completed, candidates must pass the national RDN exam administered by the Commission on Dietetic Registration (CDR), which covers essential areas like medical nutrition therapy and food service operations.
What Can A Dietitian Do That A Nutritionist Cannot?
The most significant distinction between dietitians and nutritionists lies in the dietitian’s ability to provide medical nutrition therapy (MNT), a regulated service that involves managing and improving health conditions through specific nutrition plans.
Registered dietitians (RDs) are legally allowed to offer MNT, which makes them uniquely qualified to work with individuals who have chronic conditions like diabetes, heart disease, and kidney disease.
They use their expertise to tailor nutrition interventions that address each patient's unique medical needs.
In contrast, nutritionists, especially those without licensure, cannot legally offer MNT or manage medical conditions through nutrition. They may provide general dietary advice and work with individuals seeking to improve their overall health, but they aren't qualified to manage specific medical issues.
Conclusion
When deciding between a certified nutrition specialist vs. registered dietitian, the key is to match your health needs with the professional’s expertise.
If you require medical nutrition therapy to manage a chronic condition or you want evidence-based, tailored nutritional advice, a Registered Dietitian is your best option.
Both dietitians and certified nutritionist specialists can offer valuable expertise, but understanding their qualifications, scope of practice, and legal distinctions will help you make an informed decision.
If you're ready to take the next step, you can easily find a Registered Dietitian at Berry Street who meets your needs and is covered by insurance, ensuring you receive expert care without out-of-pocket expenses.