What is a “licensed” nutritionist?
A licensed nutritionist has met requirements for licensure in his or her state. Licensure requirements are more rigorous than “certificate” requirements, with stricter standards for practice, liability, education, supervised clinical training, professional monitoring, and ethics. Typically, licensed nutrition professionals must have a minimum of one nutrition or health sciences degree from an accredited university program; must be a registered dietitian or show equivalent training; and must maintain proof of continuing education activities that are approved by professional peers. States with no licensure or monitoring for this profession are AZ, CA, CO, NJ, and WY; anyone can be a “nutritionist” in these states. Nutrition professionals in those states can maintain licenses from other states. This allows professional oversight and helps patients access insurance coverage for nutrition services.
