Difference Between Certified Nutritionist and Registered Dietitian

If you want to make a career in nutrition, you must be passionate about food, diet, health, lifestyle and you must be willing to help others in improving their lifestyle. However, while deciding a career path, students often get confused between two terms which is certified nutritionist (CN) and registered dietitian (RD). Although both terms deal with improving health and lifestyle through diet, there are some striking differences in their qualifications, legal status, and career opportunities after pursuing the course.

Also Read: Difference Between Psychologist and Psychiatrist

Qualifications and Education

Registered Dietitian (RD)

Registered Dietitians are those who have dedicated time in gaining a degree by completing either bachelor’s or master’s degree in dietetics, nutrition, or a related field. It is expected as part of the course curriculum that RDs must also undergo supervised practice through internships. Most of these internships and practice organisations are approved by accrediting bodies and pass a national-level licensure or registration exam. Only if you qualify and get a certificate/license after clearing the exam, you are eligible to practice as RDs.

Certified Nutritionist (CN)

Certified nutritionists are those professionals who obtain a certificate course in nutrition which may range from a few months to years. These certificates are mainly obtained by those people who have already completed their graduation or post-graduation in the related areas but do not possess a professional certificate to practice in the market.  Certification can be provided by private organizations or institutions, and you can do a certificate course as per your requirement.

Key Differences between Registered Dietitian and Certified Nutritionist

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Registered Dietitians and Certified Nutritionists are responsible for maintaining health through diet, but they are different from each other in many ways. Some of the major differences are mentioned below:

Scope of Practice

While the job profile looks similar, there is a major difference in the scope of practice. RDs have legal authority to provide medical advice such as nutrition therapy, design diet plans for patients, interpret lab results, and do basic consultation for medical conditions. They are authorised to work in hospitals, clinics, and community health settings and they are very much in demand in the current scenario.

Certified nutritionists usually focus on wellness, preventive health, and lifestyle coaching. They are the ones who can guide you about healthy eating habits, supplement usage, and general nutrition education in places like the gym, wellness centres, etc. You must note that they cannot legally provide clinical nutrition therapy in many places.

Regulation and Recognition

Registered dietitians are regulated and monitored by national health authorities and accredited bodies which indicates that credentials are standardized, widely recognized, and legally protected.

Certified nutritionists, however, may not have nationally regulated standards. Many of the certified nutritionists may not be recognised at many places and their recognition depends on the organization that issued the certification.

Career Opportunities

If you are a registered dietitian, you can work in:

• Hospitals and medical centers
• Sports organizations
• Research and policy development

As a certified nutritionist, you can be a part of:

• Health coaching
• Wellness centres
• Corporate wellness programs

If you aim to work in clinical settings or treat patients and feel like  being a doctor who can advise on health wellbeing, then becoming a registered dietitian is the safer route because it offers legal recognition and broader scope. If you’re more inclined towards wellness coaching or community health, a certified nutritionist pathway may suit you.

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