Dietetics and Nutrition in New York State
General Requirements
Any use of the titles "Certified Dietitian," "Certified Nutritionist" or "Certified Dietitian-Nutritionist" within New York State requires certification.
To be certified as a dietitian-nutritionist in New York State you must:
- be at least 18 years of age; and
- meet education, examination and experience requirements.
You must submit an application for certification and the other forms indicated, along with the appropriate fee, to the Office of the Professions at the address specified on each form. It is your responsibility to follow up with anyone you have asked to send us material.
Education and Experience Requirements
To meet the education and experience requirements for certification in dietetics-nutrition, you must satisfy either A or B below.
- Bachelor's or Higher Degree
Education: You must have completed a program in dietetics-nutrition leading to the baccalaureate degree or a higher academic credential that is, at the time you completed the program, registered by the New York State Education Department as qualifying for certification in dietetics-nutrition or accredited by the Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics (ACEND), or is the equivalent of such a program. The program must include at least 45 semester hours of course work in the professional dietetics/nutrition content area and have at least 20 semester hours of course work in the human biological sciences and social and behavioral sciences content area. Courses appropriate for each of these content areas are defined in the next section.
Experience: You must have completed one-half of a full-time equivalent year of planned work experience (800 hours), which could have been a structured part of your educational program. Otherwise, the experience must have followed the completion of your educational program. Planned work experience means continuous work experience in dietetics-nutrition, which reflects increased levels of professional growth and is under the supervision of a New York State Certified Dietitian-Nutritionist or someone who is registered by or a member of a national dietetic or nutrition association acceptable to the New York State Education Department. To qualify, the experience must include: assessing nutrition needs and food patterns, planning for and directing the provision of food appropriate for physical and nutrition needs, and providing nutrition counseling. Contact the State Board for Dietetics and Nutrition via e-mail at or by calling 518.474.3817 ext. 560 if you have questions.
- Associate's Degree
Education: You must have completed a program leading to the associate's degree in dietetics-nutrition that is, at the time you completed the program, registered by the New York State Education Department as qualifying for certification in dietetics-nutrition, or the equivalent of such a program. The program must include at least 30 semester hours of course work in the professional dietetics-nutrition content area and have at least 15 semester hours of course work in the human biological sciences and social behavioral sciences content area. Courses appropriate for each of these content areas are defined in the next section.
Experience: You must have completed a combination of ten full-time equivalent years of education and supervised experience within the fifteen years preceding your application for certification. If your education was undertaken within the last fifteen years, you will be credited with one year of credit for every 30 semester hours of acceptable education up to a maximum of two years. A full-time equivalent year of work experience in dietetics and nutrition is 1,600 hours. To qualify, the experience must include: assessing nutrition needs and food patterns; planning for and directing the provision of food appropriate for physical and nutrition needs; and providing nutrition counseling. The experience must include at least two and one-half full-time equivalent years of planned work experience. Planned work experience means continuous work experience in dietetics-nutrition, which reflects increased levels of professional growth and is under the supervision of a New York State Certified Dietitian-Nutritionist or someone who is registered by or a member of a national dietetic or nutrition association acceptable to the New York State Education Department. Contact the State Board for Dietetics and Nutrition via e-mail or by calling 518.474.3817 ext. 560 if you have questions.
Endorsement of Acceptable Dietitians or Nutritionists: You must obtain the endorsement of three acceptable dietitians-nutritionists (e.g., a New York State Certified Dietitian/Nutritionist or someone who is registered by or a member of a national dietetic or nutrition association acceptable to the New York State Education Department). Contact the State Board for Dietetics and Nutrition via e-mail or by calling 518.474.3817 ext. 560 if you have questions.
Accredited Dietetics (bachelor's degree or higher level) and Dietetic Technician (associate degree) Programs: The Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics (ACEND) of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics (AND) is an acceptable accrediting agency. Lists of currently accredited programs are available on AND's website. ACEND can be contacted at:
Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics
P: 800.877.1600, ext. 5400
F: 312.899.4817
E: acend@eatright.org
Education Content Areas Defined
Professional Dietetics and Nutrition Content Area includes course work that covers all of the following curricular areas:
- principles of nutrition in health and disease;
- human nutrition needs throughout the life span;
- assessment and evaluation of the nutritional status of individuals, families, and communities;
- nutrient composition of food;
- food service management, including but not limited to such topics as human resources, planning, purchasing, preparation and service, delivery, and sanitation;
- diet modifications;
- counseling, education, and communication skills;
- interpretation of nutrition information and its application; and
- ethics and professionalism.
Human Biological Sciences and Social and Behavioral Sciences Content Area includes course work in the following curricular areas:
- human biological sciences, including principles of biochemistry and physiology; and
- social and behavioral sciences, including cultural aspects.
Additional information can be obtained from the New York State Department of Education, Office of Dietetics and Nutrition.
