What Does It Take to Become a Nutritionist?

A nutritionist works with clients regarding food and dietary choices, often to improve health or reach a particular goal. The requirements to become a nutritionist are flexible, but following certain educational, certification and experience paths can improve success in the field.

What does a nutritionist do, and is it a good career path? This client-centered position uses knowledge about diet and nutrition to help people improve their health. The requirements to become a nutritionist are flexible, so people interested in this career have different options for entering the field.?

What is a Nutritionist?

A nutritionist is an expert in diet and food choices, who works with clients to establish eating plans for overall health improvement, weight loss or other food-related goals. Nutritionists focus on long-term, science-based nutritional plans rather than crash diets, fads or quick fixes that are not sustainable.?

Nutritionists work in various settings, including medical offices, hospitals, nursing homes, schools, sports facilities and cafeterias. Some also work independently with clients, either online or in person.?

Nutritionist vs. Dietitian

Both nutritionists and dietitians specialize in food and diet topics and work with clients to help them improve their nutrition. While the roles are similar, dietitians are typically more regulated than nutritionists. A registered dietitian needs specific education and credentials to use the title. Most states allow anyone to become a nutritionist without meeting set criteria.?

Their focus can also vary. Nutritionists often spend more time on food behaviors and general nutrition topics to improve health. Dietitians center their services more heavily on health and focus on how dietary changes help people improve or avoid health conditions.?

What Does a Nutritionist Do?

A nutritionist's duties can vary based on where they work. For example, a nutritionist in a medical office might work with a patient to develop a nutritional plan for a specific diagnosis. A nutritionist at an athletic facility might help athletes create diets that optimize their performance.

Some common duties of a nutritionist include:

• Learning about the client's history to identify concerns and roadblocks.
• Asking about diet and nutritional goals.
• Customizing an eating plan that takes the history and goals into consideration.
• Providing recipes and food suggestions that fit the dietary plan.
• Educating clients on nutritional topics.
• Providing strategies to stick with dietary changes.
• Monitoring clients as they implement the changes.
• Educating the public or specific groups on nutrition.
• Developing materials that help educate clients.

How Long Does it Take to Become a Nutritionist?

The length of time it takes to become a nutritionist depends on location. Many states don't regulate the nutritionist title, which means anyone can call themselves a nutritionist and offer their services to clients. However, most medical and care facilities will not hire someone who doesn’t have education or experience, even if the state has no minimum requirements.?

It is common for a nutritionist to earn a bachelor’s degree, which typically takes four years. Some nutritionists earn advanced degrees, which can take at least two more years.?

What Skills Do You Need to Become a Nutritionist?

Nutritionists need skills to help them provide accurate health information and work successfully with clients. Some necessary skills include:

• Compassion for clients struggling with nutrition or health conditions.
• Interpersonal skills to build relationships with clients.
• Organizational skills.
• Strong communication skills.
• Teaching skills.
• Science and math skills to handle nutrition-related calculations.
• Problem-solving skills.

5 Steps to Become a Nutritionist

Many paths to becoming a nutritionist and obtaining certifications, degrees, and skills to help people succeed in the field exist.

Consider Different Nutritionist Career Paths

Nutritionists have different career path options depending on where they live. They can choose to be a nutritionist or a registered dietitian. Many states make it possible to become a nutritionist without a specified degree.?

In addition to location, the career path for nutritionists depends on the type of workplace they prefer. People new to the discipline might choose a distinct focus and work with a specific audience, such as hospital patients or competitive athletes.?

Review Minimum Education Requirements

Many facilities require a bachelor's degree in nutrition, health, dietetics or similar majors. Some facilities might prefer a master's degree. However, many states don't legally require a minimum degree, so candidates might not need to complete college to become a nutritionist.?

Research State Requirements

Since the nutritionist title isn't universally regulated, it is up to states to set requirements. People looking to become nutritionists should research the certification, education and licensing requirements for the state where they want to work. Even in a state that doesn't require certification for nutritionists, employers might prefer certified candidates.?

Seek Further Certification/Degrees

While they are not always a requirement, certifications add to a candidate’s credibility. Some certifications in the nutrition field include:

• Registered Dietician Nutritionist (RND): This certification requires a bachelor's degree, a supervised practice program and a passing score on an exam through the Commission on Dietetic Registration.?
• Certified Nutrition Specialist (CNS): A CNS certification from the Board of Certification of Nutrition Specialists requires a master's degree, supervised experience and a certification exam.?
• Certified Clinical Nutritionist: The Clinical Nutrition Certification Board offers the Certified Clinical Nutritionist credential, which involves an online exam.

Earning a master's degree or doctorate in a nutrition-related field can enhance a nutritionist's knowledge, skills and competitiveness in the job market.?

Gain Experience Through Internships

Internships give recent graduates more experience before practicing on their own. They allow new nutritionists to learn from experts in the field. These experiences can make the candidate's application more impressive when they start the job search.

An internship can also help a nutritionist decide if they like a specialty. They can try different facilities or position types to see what suits them.

Why Become a Nutritionist?

Nutritionists get to help people improve their lives daily while sharing their passion for and expertise in nutrition. They directly impact their clients and often see positive results as they continue working with them. This career path provides a sense of accomplishment knowing it can make people healthier, improve their underlying health conditions and avoid certain diseases.?

A nutritionist can work in numerous settings and specialize with different types of clients to match their interests. For instance, a former athlete might work in an athletic facility to combine their background in sports and knowledge in nutrition.?

As of May 2021, the median annual salary of a nutritionist is $61,650 per year, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Nutritionists who make it to the top 10% earn over $93,640.?

Is Nutrition a Good Career Path for Me?

Nutrition isn't the ideal career for everyone. It is a good fit for people who value nutrition and health while having compassion for others who struggle with healthy habits. This career path also requires a lot of client interaction and building relationships. It sometimes involves creativity and problem-solving to help clients overcome their barriers to healthy eating.

Top Takeaways

• Nutritionists in many states don't have to meet minimum education or licensing requirements.
• Earning licenses and advanced degrees improves the candidate's chances of landing a nutritionist job.
• Nutritionists work in numerous settings, including medical facilities, sports facilities and schools, with varying duties depending on the location.

(Reporting by NPD)