Dietitians and nutritionists are experts in nutritional science - food, nutrition and their effects on health. These titles are often used interchangeably because of how similar their roles are. They even fall under the same pay scale. However, they refer to different professions. Depending on the state, these professions have varying qualifications and legal restrictions. Generally, dietitians are regulated more thoroughly. In this regard, they have certain professional capabilities and privileges that are not available to non-regulated nutritionists such as medical nutritional counseling.

Registered Dietitians (RDs), or Registered Dietitian Nutritionists (RDNs), need to be registered with the Commission on Dietetic Registration (CDR) for them to practice their profession. Prior to registration, dietitians are required to complete a Didactic Program in Dietetics through a baccalaureate degree from a college or university recognized by the US Department of Education. Dietitians need to complete the necessary clinical experience and often as an intern under a licensed professional. They need to pass the CDR registration exam as well as maintain their registration through continuing professional education.

Dietitians provide treatment for and prevention of health conditions by providing medical nutrition therapy. Their credentials allow them to diagnose illnesses and provide nutrition-based treatments. Dietitians are often employed by hospitals to develop meal plans suited for patients. They conduct nutritional assessments to determine the appropriate food, beverages, medications and supplements for a patient’s medical needs. They also develop nutritional programs taking into consideration other factors such as medical history, food preferences, food limitations, eating patterns and religious beliefs.

Nutritionists on the other hand focus on food behavior. They provide general advice on healthful eating to help people lead healthier lives. They often work with individuals to address health goals such as losing weight, developing healthy eating habits, improving energy and reducing tiredness. Although they do not hold the same credentials as dietitians, they can pursue advanced qualifications in specific health areas such as sports nutrition, public health nutrition, eating disorders, pediatric nutrition, veterinary nutrition and exercise science.

To be a nutritionist, one has to earn a bachelor’s degree in a related field such as Nutrition, Dietetics, Food Science, or Health Science. Nutritionists can get a certification from the Board of Certification of Nutrition Specialists (CBNS) to practice their profession as Certified Nutrition Specialists (CNS). The certification requirements include a master’s or doctoral degree in Nutrition or other field of clinical healthcare, completion of the needed coursework, practical experience, and passing the certification exam. Just like dietitians, nutritionists also need to maintain their certification through continuing professional education.

Both dietitians and nutritionists work with individuals and groups to improve their health by providing expert advice on food and nutrition. They often work in clinical settings like hospitals, nursing homes and other health care facilities. Dietitians and nutritionists also work in state health departments, professional sports organizations, and research institutes. According to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, the demand for dietitians and nutritionists is expected to increase. The employment growth rate in this job category over the past decade was 21% which is faster than the average growth rate for other occupations. Dietitians and nutritionists tend to advance more quickly than individuals in other job categories. Individuals in this job category typically receive promotions of 2 grade increases at a time until they reach GS-12.