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Nutritionist certification options & requirements

As a nutritionist, you’ll take countless steps to help your clients navigate their way through the confusing and often conflicting information that’s out there about food. But your first step to starting a career in nutrition should be getting the education you need to understand the science behind food and how it affects our health.
There’s a wide range of certifications available, on-campus as well as online nutrition programs; each requiring a different degree of work to earn them. Keep in mind, however, that even if you have a certification through a national board, it may not necessarily be enough to become licensed or certified in your state, if that’s indeed a requirement.
While national certification is an optional credential that verifies your knowledge and experience, your state credentials are what govern the legal use of your title and what kinds of services you’re allowed to perform.
Nutritionist certification & licensing by state
Click on your state in the dropdown below to learn about the various nutrition licensing laws, including prerequisites, internships, and/or professional experience.
Search licensing requirements by state
Alabama
Title: Licensed Dietitian/Nutritionist
Education Requirements: At least a bachelor’s degree in nutrition or a related field from a regionally accredited college or university
Supervised Experience: A minimum of 900 hours of a preprofessional experience
Exam: The Commission on Dietetic Registration Examination
Alaska
Title: Licensed Nutritionist
Education Requirements: At least a master’s degree in an area of nutrition from an accredited college or university
Supervised Experience: A minimum of 900 hours of documented work experience in direct human nutrition or research
Exam: None required
Arizona
No regulations
Arkansas
Licensing of dietitians only
California
No regulations for licensing, but title protection for registered dietitians only
Colorado
No regulations for licensing, but title protection for certified dietitians only
Connecticut
Title: Certified Dietitian/Nutritionist
Education Requirements: A master’s degree or higher from an accredited institution with a course of study in nutrition or dietetics including at least 30 semester credits. If you have a bachelor’s degree but are currently certified by the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, you’ll also be eligible.
Supervised Experience: 1,000 or 1,200 hours, depending on the licensing exam you plan to take
Exam: The Commission on Dietetic Registration or Certified Nutrition Specialist Examination
Delaware
Education Requirements: At least a bachelor’s degree in nutrition or a related discipline from a regionally accredited college or university
Supervised Experience: A minimum of 900 hours of a preprofessional experience
Exam: The Commission on Dietetic Registration or Certified Nutrition Specialist Examination, or another test determined acceptable by the Delaware Board of Dietetics/Nutrition
District of Columbia
Title: Licensed Nutritionist
Education Requirements: At least a bachelor’s degree in nutrition or a related area from a regionally accredited college or university
Supervised Experience: A preprofessional experience of at least 900 hours between a period of 22 and 45 weeks. If you have at least a master’s degree in nutrition or have been actively engaged in nutritional practice for at least two of the last five years, you don’t need to meet this requirement.
Exam: The Commission of Dietetic Registration Examination
Florida
Title: Licensed Dietitian/Nutritionist
Education Requirements: At least a bachelor’s degree in nutrition or a related area from a regionally accredited college or university
Supervised Experience: A minimum of 900 hours of a preprofessional experience. This requirement might be waived if you have education or experience deemed equivalent by the state board.
Exam: The Commission of Dietetic Registration Examination. Applicants who are already Certified Nutrition Specialists or Diplomates of the American Clinical Board of Nutrition will not need to take the exam.
Georgia
Licensing of dietitians only
Hawaii
Licensing of dietitians only
Idaho
Licensing of dietitians only
Illinois
Title: Licensed Dietitian/Nutritionist
Education Requirements: At least a bachelor’s degree in nutrition or a related area from a regionally accredited college or university
Supervised Experience: A minimum of 900 hours within a 5-year period
Exam: The Commission of Dietetic Registration Examination. Those who are Certified Nutrition Specialists, Certified Clinical Nutritionists, or Diplomates of the American Clinical Board of Nutrition won’t need to take the exam.
Indiana
No statewide regulations for licensing, but title protection for dietitians only
Iowa
Licensing of dietitians only
Kansas
Licensing of dietitians only
Kentucky
Title: Certified Nutritionist
Education Requirements: A bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited college or university, as well as a master’s degree in nutrition, food science, or a closely related area with a minimum of 12 semester hours of human nutrition classes
Supervised Experience: No requirement
Exam: The Commission of Dietetic Registration Examination
Louisiana
Title: Licensed Dietitian/Nutritionist
Education Requirements: At least a bachelor’s degree in nutrition or a closely related field from a regionally accredited institution
Supervised Experience: A minimum of 900 hours
Exam: The Commission of Dietetic Registration Examination
Maine
Licensing of dietitians only
Maryland
Title: Licensed Nutritionist
Education Requirements: At least a master’s degree in nutrition or a closely related field from a regionally accredited institution
Supervised Experience: A minimum of 1,000 hours
Exam: The Certified Nutrition Specialist Examination
Massachusetts
Title: Licensed Dietitian/Nutritionist
Education Requirements: A bachelor’s degree or higher in a field of nutrition from an institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education
Supervised Experience: A board-approved internship of at least 900 hours or a paid experience of three years post-bachelor’s, two years post-master’s, or one year post-doctoral degree
Exam: The Certified Nutrition Specialist Examination
Michigan
No regulations
Minnesota
Title: Licensed Nutritionist
Education Requirements: A master’s degree or higher in nutrition from an accredited institution
Supervised Experience: At least 900 hours of a preprofessional experience
Exam: None required
Mississippi
Title: Licensed Dietitian/Nutritionist
Education Requirements: A bachelor’s degree or higher in nutrition for a regionally accredited institution
Supervised Experience: At least 900 hours
Exam: The Commission of Dietetic Registration Examination
Missouri
Licensing of dietitians only
Montana
Title: Licensed Nutritionist
Education Requirements: Both a bachelor’s and graduate degree from programs approved by the Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics
Supervised Experience: A minimum of 900 hours of a preprofessional experience
Exam: The Commission of Dietetic Registration Examination
Nebraska
Licensing of medical nutrition therapists only
Nevada
Licensing of dietitians only
New Hampshire
Licensing of dietitians only
New Jersey
No regulations
New Mexico
Title: Licensed Nutritionist
Education Requirements: A master’s degree or higher in nutrition from an accredited institution or proof of membership with the American Clinical Board of Nutrition or the American Society for Nutrition
Supervised Experience: No state requirement
Exam: A board-approved test, such as the Commission of Dietetic Registration Examination
New York
Title: Certified Dietitian/Nutritionist
Education Requirements: A bachelor’s degree or higher in dietetics or nutrition, or an associate’s degree (if you meet the experience requirements) and endorsements from three board-approved dietitians or nutritionists
Supervised Experience: A minimum of 800 hours for applicants with bachelor’s degrees. Those with associate’s degrees must have a combination of 10 full-time years of education and experience, with at least 1,600 hours per year.
Exam: The Commission of Dietetic Registration or Certified Nutrition Specialist Examination
North Carolina
Title: Licensed Dietitian/Nutritionist
Education Requirements: A bachelor’s degree or higher in nutrition from a regionally accredited institution
Supervised Experience: A minimum of 1,000 hours
Exam: The Commission of Dietetic Registration, the Certified Nutrition Specialist, or the Diplomate of the American Clinical Board of Nutrition Examination
North Dakota
Title: Licensed Nutritionist
Education Requirements: At least a bachelor’s degree in nutrition or dietetics from an accredited institution or proof of membership in the American Institute of Nutrition, the American Society for Clinical Nutrition, or the American Board of Nutrition
Supervised Experience: No requirement
Exam: None required
Ohio
Licensing of dietitians only. The state allows dietitians to use other professional titles such as nutritionist or nutrition counselor, however, these are not legally protected titles.
Oklahoma
Licensing of dietitians only
Oregon
Licensing of dietitians only
Pennsylvania
Title: Licensed Dietitian/Nutritionist
Education Requirements: At least a bachelor’s degree in nutrition or dietetics from a regionally accredited institution
Supervised Experience: A minimum of 900 hours
Exam: The Commission of Dietetic Registration or Certified Nutrition Specialist Examination
Rhode Island
Title: Licensed Dietitian/Nutritionist
Education Requirements: A bachelor’s degree or higher from a program approved by the Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics
Supervised Experience: A minimum of 900 hours of an internship or other supervised experience
Exam: The Commission of Dietetic Registration Examination
South Carolina
Licensing of dietitians only
South Dakota
Title: Licensed Nutritionist
Education Requirements: At least a master’s degree in nutrition from an accredited institution, or a bachelor’s degree if you meet the experience requirements
Supervised Experience: No state requirement for applicants with master’s degrees. Those who have bachelor’s degrees and are registered with the Commission of Dietetic Registration must complete at least 900 hours of supervised dietetic practice.
Exam: The Commission of Dietetic Registration Examination
Tennessee
Title: Licensed Dietitian/Nutritionist
Education Requirements: At least a bachelor’s degree in nutrition or dietetics from a regionally accredited institution
Supervised Experience: A minimum of 900 hours of a preprofessional experience
Exam: The Commission of Dietetic Registration Examination
Texas
Licensing of dietitians only
Utah
Certification of dietitians only
Vermont
Certification of dietitians only
Virginia
Title protection for nutritionists and dietitians. While there are no regulations for licensing or established standards of practice, you may only call yourself a nutritionist if you have one of the following:
- A bachelor’s degree in nutrition or a closely related field from a regionally accredited university with a supervised clinical experience approved by the Commission on Dietetic Registration
- An active credential as a Certified Nutrition Specialist
- An active certification as a Diplomate of the American Clinical Board of Nutrition
- A current nutritionist license or certification issued by another state
Washington
Title: Certified Nutritionist
Education Requirements: A master’s degree or higher in nutrition or dietetics, or a bachelor’s degree if you meet the experience requirements
Supervised Experience: No state requirement for applicants with a master’s degree. Those who have bachelor’s degrees must have at least 900 hours of supervised experience.
Exam: The Commission of Dietetic Registration Examination
West Virginia
Licensing of dietitians only
Wisconsin
Certification of dietitians only
Wyoming
Licensing of dietitians only
Beyond the optional national certifications, you may be required to become either licensed or certified by your state to practice with the title of nutritionist. In general, a license allows you to legally promote yourself to the public as a nutritionist, and provide services that are within the scope of practice as defined by your state board. Holding a license also ensures that a nutritionist is being held to the established standards of the profession.
Similar to having a license, being certified allows you to legally use the title of nutritionist and demonstrates that you’re qualified to practice and are held to certain standards.
That said, in states that offer this credential instead of a license, uncertified individuals can still provide the services of the profession, so long as they don’t promote themselves with any protected title. Because they’re not being regulated by the board and therefore aren’t held to the established standards, clients should be careful to receive services from uncertified individuals.
Quick overview of state requirements
While the majority of U.S. states impose regulations specifically for dietitians, more than half of the states have no requirements for nutritionists, meaning that anyone can promote themselves as such regardless of their education or experience. As of 2019, only nine states and Washington, D.C. require licensing or certification for nutritionists specifically.
An additional 14 states require a dual dietitian/nutritionist credential, which allows you to use either or both titles as you wish. The good news is that earning a dual title shouldn’t require additional work. In fact, in most states, the educational requirements are less than for those that have separate credentials for nutritionists.
National certifications for nutritionists
When talking about certification, it’s important to first clarify that it’s not the same as a certificate.
Certificates are proof that you’ve successfully taken a class or series of courses and can sometimes be completed in as little as a few weeks. Certificate programs are often designed for those who have already earned a degree and want to gain a deeper knowledge of a particular subtopic.
In the field of nutrition, these could be specializations such as sports nutrition, weight management, or nutrition for children or the elderly. Depending on the coursework, earning a certificate might help you meet certain requirements for certification.
National certification, on the other hand, is a credential given by a regulated professional organization that verifies you’ve completed a certain level of education, gained a designated amount of professional experience, and in most cases, have passed a specific exam.
What’s more, the certifications with the highest requirements often align with the prerequisites for becoming licensed or certified by your state. Many states require a licensing exam offered by one of these organizations, meaning that you can pursue your state credentials and optional certification at the same time.
National certifications are optional credentials (unlike state requirements) but can give you greater authority as you begin your career.
As if that doesn’t sound confusing enough, making things even more complicated is the fact that some companies that offer “certifications” may really just be offering certificate programs.
To sort through the credentials, we’ve outlined the most common certifications, starting with those that have the least requirements and leading up to those that offer the most prestigious titles, the highest earning potential as a nutritionist, and can open the door to top job prospects.
You’ll also want to consider earning a professional certification through a nationally recognized board or association. Having these credentials can set you up for better job opportunities by meeting certain guidelines and requirements—and that means giving potential clients and employers greater confidence in your knowledge and dedication to the field.
