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Best dietitian certifications
The best certifications for a dietitian are Registered Dietitian (RD), Certified Nutrition Specialist (CNS), and Registered Dietitian Nutritionist (RDN).
Dietitian certifications demonstrate your competency as a dietitian to employers. However, not all dietitian certifications provide the same value.
Below is a list of the best dietitian certifications. Obtaining a dietitian certification will give you a leg up when you apply for jobs and increase your potential salary.
5 best certifications for dietitians
| Rank | Dietitian certification | Organization |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Registered Dietitian (RD) | CDR |
| 2 | Certified Nutrition Specialist (CNS) | BCNS |
| 3 | Registered Dietitian Nutritionist (RDN) | CDR |
| 4 | Weight Management Specialist Certification | AFPA |
| 5 | Certified Nutrition Support Clinician (CNSC) | NBNSC |
5 best dietitian certifications
1. Registered Dietitian (RD)
- More than two years of education or training after high school required? Yes
- More than two years of work experience required? Yes
- Oral or written exam required? Yes
- Renewal required? Every 5 year(s)
2. Certified Nutrition Specialist (CNS)
Certified Nutrition Specialist professionals are on the front lines battling the epidemic of obesity and chronic disease, and the BCNS supports these efforts and certifies nutrition professionals who maintain the highest standard of nutrition competence.
- More than two years of education or training after high school required? Yes
- More than two years of work experience required? Yes
- Oral or written exam required? Yes
- Renewal required? Every 5 year(s)
3. Registered Dietitian Nutritionist (RDN)
RDs are food and nutrition experts who have met the Commission on Dietetic Registration's (CDR) criteria to earn the RD credential. RDs work in a wide variety of employment settings, including health care, business and industry, community/public health, education, research, government agencies and private practice
- More than two years of education or training after high school required? Yes
- More than two years of work experience required? Yes
- Oral or written exam required? Yes
- Renewal required? Every 5 year(s)
4. Weight Management Specialist Certification
The AFPA Weight Management Specialist Certification course provides a holistic approach to weight and health management. The Weight Management Consultant program will educate you on how to guide your clients to achieve their short-term weight loss goals, but more importantly, provide you with the skills necessary to help them achieve long-term weight management.
- More than two years of education or training after high school required? No
- More than two years of work experience required? No
- Oral or written exam required? Yes
- Renewal required?
5. Certified Nutrition Support Clinician (CNSC)
NBNSC certification provides an avenue to demonstrate that you have attained the skills and knowledge necessary to provide quality nutrition support care. We have determined the body of knowledge needed to have an understanding of nutrition support and developed a fair and valid means to test care providers including physicians, dietitians, pharmacists, physician assistants, and nurses.
- More than two years of education or training after high school required? Yes
- More than two years of work experience required? Yes
- Oral or written exam required? Yes
- Renewal required? Every 5 year(s)
What is the best certification for a dietitian?
The best dietitian certification is Registered Dietitian (RD). The Registered Dietitian (RD) is awarded by the Commission on Dietetic Registration. This certification is great to have as it shows an improvement in your competency to perform your role. You can earn this certification at the beginning of your career, as it often doesn't require a minimum education level and work experience.
Here's a bit more background on how to obtain this dietitian certification:
- To become a certified Registered Dietitian (RD), you need to pass the exam.
- This certificate requires more than two years of work experience.
- Renew certification every 5 year.
What are some of the most in-demand certifications for dietitians?
The most in-demand dietitian certification is Registered Dietitian based on all active job postings. Having this dietitian certification will give you access to more dietitian jobs with higher salaries.
What certifications can impact a dietitian career and salary?
The Registered Dietitian certification will help you to secure a clinical dietitian position, which will increase your pay and career trajectory. A clinical dietitian's average salary is $51,516 whereas dietitians make an average salary of $58,480.
The most common combination of dietitian certifications include: Registered Dietitian (RD), Certified Nutrition Specialist (CNS), and Registered Dietitian Nutritionist (RDN).
Online courses for dietitians to earn certifications
1. Child Nutrition and Cooking
Eating patterns that begin in childhood affect health and well-being across the lifespan. The culture of eating has changed significantly in recent decades, especially in parts of the world where processed foods dominate our dietary intake. This course examines contemporary child nutrition and the impact of the individual decisions made by each family. The health risks associated with obesity in childhood are also discussed. Participants will learn what constitutes a healthy diet for children...
2. National Academy of Sports Medicine Nutrition Essentials
NASM's Nutrition Coaching Essentials enables you to provide evidence-based guidance to those seeking to improve body composition, athletic performance, and health. By successfully completing this program, you will have the knowledge and abilities to leverage nutrition education to increase your client's success, reduce turnover, and maximize adherence. Held to the highest standard of research-based theory and practice, the Nutrition Essentials program teaches you how to provide nutritional...
3. Nutrition Certification: The Correct Dieting & Meal PLaning
Master Nutrition/ Dieting for healthy Weight Loss & Building Muscles (Adapt with COVID-19)...
4. Fully Accredited Certification in Nutrition & Diet Planning
Learn how to make fitness diet & meal plans Become a Professional Nutrition Coach with International Certification...
5. Vegan Nutrition: Build Your Plant Based Diet & Meal Plan
Learn How To Set Up A Vegan Diet For Weight Loss, Building Muscle, Healthy Eating, Meal Planning & Vegan Bodybuilding...
6. Internationally Accredited Certificate in Nutrition
Learn the Fundamentals of Nutrition Science...
7. Nutrition Certification: Advanced Diet & Meal Planning
Advanced Diet And Nutrition Coach Strategies Dieting Certificate For Meal Plans, Fat Loss, Health & Sports Nutrition...
8. Nutrition Certification Diploma: Diet Planning & Meal Prep
Become A Nutrition Expert: Create Muscle Growth & Fat Loss Meal Plan Dieting Certificate For Health & Sports Nutrition...
9. Weight Loss And Nutrition: Lose Fat & Get Your Dream Body
Learn The Truth About Dieting For Weight Loss, Healthy Eating, Meal Planning, Fat Loss, Weight Loss Motivation...
10. Internationally Accredited Diploma in Diet Planning
Learn how to Create Your Clients(or your)perfect diet and nutrition plan based on their goals, preferences and lifestyle...
11. Internationally Accredited Diploma in Yogic Nutrition
Understand the fundamentals of Yogic Nutrition Science & Learn How to Create Yogic Diets...
12. Internationally Accredited Diploma in Sports Nutrition
Learn About The Fundamentals Of Sport Nutrition Science And How To Fuel Your Athlete Client...
13. Nutrition for Inflammation - The Anti-inflammatory Diet
Heal Your Body Using Food as Medicine...
14. Health and Nutrition Life Coach Certification (Accredited)
Life Coaching: Create a Workout & Nutrition Plan Based on Your Clients' Fitness, Weight Loss, Dieting & Nutrition Goals...
15. Nutrition Masterclass: Build Your Perfect Diet & Meal Plan
Learn The Truth About Nutrition, Dieting For Weight Loss, Building Muscle, Healthy Eating, Meal Planning, Fat Loss...
16. Vegan Nutrition Health Coach Certification
Become a Vegan Nutrition Certified Health Coach, Learn Vegan Cooking, Embrace a Holistic Approach to Food...
17. Sports Nutrition for Athletes and Fitness Enthusiasts
Learn all about sports nutrition with 7 hours of online video content and start training SMARTER instead of HARDER...
18. Superfoods, Herbalism, Nutrition Basics and Your Health
Eat For Success. Discover Nutrition Basics For Optimal Performance and Weight Loss...
19. Intermittent Fasting Diet: Full Nutrition Certification
Intermittent Fasting 101 How To Use Intermittent Fasting For Health, Meal Plan & Maximal Weight Loss (For Men & Women)...
20. Ketogenic Diet: Keto Nutrition Health Coach Certification
Keto Nutrition Certified Health Coach Specialized in the Ketogenic Diet, Ketosis (Keto) and Intermittent Fasting...