What do you have to do to become a nutritionist

Earning a bachelor’s degree or higher will open up more career opportunities, but earning them calls for advanced admission requirements and will involve more time and money.

A bachelor’s or master’s degree may also be required to work as a licensed or clinical nutritionist, depending on your state. Though exact titles vary, available educational programs for nutritionists generally include:

• Master of Science (MS) in Nutrition
• Bachelor of Science (BS) in Nutrition
• Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Nutritional Sciences
• Graduate Certificate in Nutrition

Non-degree path (dependent on local laws)

Depending on your state laws, earning an entry-level certificate in nutrition can be the fastest way to begin a career as a nutritionist. A certificate proves that you’ve completed a specific course of study. The curriculum is typically streamlined to emphasize one specific area so you can graduate as quickly as possible with the least expense. You may qualify for a Certificate of Proficiency in Nutrition with a high school diploma or GED and thus become a nutritionist without a degree.

Online or classroom studies?

As you examine educational programs, you’ll find opportunities for online learning at all levels. Becoming a nutritionist online can be a convenient alternative to classroom instruction if you’re working full-time or handling family responsibilities while studying to be a nutritionist. If you’re considering online learning, make sure you understand your program’s structure.

Some online programs require that you attend some classes on-site and/or fulfill in-person internship requirements. Most important, consider your learning style when deciding whether online or classroom instruction is best for you.

School accreditation

School accreditation ensures that the institution has met national standards for quality of education, and you must attend an accredited school to qualify for federal financial aid. You’ll also get the best value from an accredited school because these credits are more likely to be accepted if you decide to transfer or use them to meet admission requirements for a higher-level degree. 

While a school can claim accreditation, it’s best to confirm this on your own since schools can lose their designation. You can verify a school’s current accreditation status by searching the database provided by either the U.S. Department of Education or the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA). 

Program level accreditation

Beyond school accreditation, program accreditation ensures that you’ll receive the education necessary to qualify for licensing or certification. But don’t confuse accreditation with recommendations. Some programs are “recommended” by a professional organization, only indicating that the program will help you qualify for that organization’s professional credential—not necessarily for any other licensing or certification that can help you reach your goals.

If you wish to become licensed, a program approved by the Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics (ACEND) should meet the educational requirements of your state. Other organizations, such as the American Association of Drugless Practitioners oversee accrediting of holistic health programs and offer board certification for graduates. However, before choosing a school they endorse, verify that the program will help you meet the requirements for any other credentials you plan to seek. 

Financial aid & paying for nutritionist schools

While you may feel enthusiastic about your future career as a nutritionist, paying for tuition, books, and other educational costs may interfere with reaching your goal. Based on your circumstances, you may qualify for assistance from the federal government or through your school.

Factors including your personal finances and selected educational program determine your eligibility for financial aid. You may also receive funds from loans, scholarships, work-study programs, or assistantships, depending on the program you select. Just remember, in order to qualify for federal financial aid, you must be enrolled in an accredited school and program.

Licensing and certification

Regulations vary by state. It’s important to understand how your state regulates nutrition counseling before you plan to work as a nutritionist. Knowing your state laws may impact your decision to pursue a specific career path —visit our nutritionist licensing and certification page to learn about your state’s requirements.

Certificate vs. certification

While you can earn a certificate at the end of an educational program, certification is a professional credential that indicates that you’ve completed a set of educational, experience, and/or testing requirements necessary to earn a specific title. 

It also shows that you’re dedicated to keeping current with the profession since most certifications require continuing education. Though often optional, some employers and state licensing boards require a specific certification to work as a nutritionist.

There are several types of nutritionist certifications. Training and experience qualifications differ for each one. Consider your education plan, state licensing requirements, and professional goals to determine the credential that’s right for you.

Nutritionist certifications include: 

• Certified Nutritional Consultant (CNC)
• Board Certified in Holistic Nutrition (BCHN)
• Certified Nutritional Professional (CNP)
• Certified Clinical Nutritionist (CCN)
• Certified Nutrition Specialist (CNS)
• Diplomate, American Clinical Board of Nutrition (DACBN)

Career outlook and workplaces

Where do nutritionists work?

Nutritionists can work for hospitals, government agencies, nursing, and residential care facilities, and outpatient care centers, or are self-employed, says the BLS. They can work independently or as part of private practice, providing services as nutrition educators or health coaches. They can also serve as nutritional consultants to restaurants or food service organizations. 

Holistic nutritionists may qualify to work as herbalists or health food store managers. They may also offer consultations in holistic health practices that offer nutritional counseling along with alternative therapies such as acupuncture, massage, or chiropractic care. A growing trend includes nutritionists in integrative health practices, such as macrobiotic diet plans for cancer patients, which combine traditional medicine with these alternative therapies.

How in demand is this career?

Job opportunities for all types of nutritionists are projected to grow by 7% through 2031, adding an expected 5,100 new jobs in the industry. Since education levels vary widely among nutritionists, annual salaries range broadly.

Factors such as your location, employer, area of specialization, and level of experience also affect how much you earn. On average, annual salaries for nutritionists range from about $42,530 to over $90,000, with a median wage of $61,650, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics 2021 data.

Frequently asked questions

Is a nutritionist a doctor?

In most cases, no, though this is not always true. Nutritionists are not doctors by definition, however, doctors can specialize in nutrition and call themselves nutritionists. Furthermore, a nutritionist may call themselves a doctor if they have a doctoral degree, but that doesn’t mean they are an MD (Medical Doctor) or DO (Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine).

What major do you need to be a nutritionist?

This depends on your state’s licensing requirements for nutritionists if there are any. Most states that require nutritionists to be licensed require a bachelor’s degree or higher in nutrition or dietetics. Some states also accept closely related fields, such as food science, chemistry, biology, and more.

Can a nutritionist become a dietitian?

Yes, nutritionists and dietitians do a lot of similar work and you can definitely transition from one career to the other. This may be more or less difficult depending on where you live, as there are many states that have licensing regulations for RDNs and none (or very few) for nutritionists.

That being said, the education to become either of the two is often quite similar, so making the switch is certainly possible. What’s more, nutritionists can earn the Registered Dietician/Nutritionist (RDN) credential through the Commission on Dietetic Registration (CDR).

Can a nutritionist be a personal trainer?

Yes, nutrition and personal training go great together. Many personal trainers get educated in nutrition so that they can offer a more all-encompassing wellness regime and make that a selling point of their services. Nutritionists can also easily make the switch to personal training since they probably already have some education in the health sciences.

How much does a nutritionist cost?

Nutritionists may charge between $100-$200 per session, but that exact number can vary widely. The cost of nutrition services depends on many factors including your location, the type of services you’re seeking, and whether or not your insurance will cover all or a portion of those services.

Are nutritionists covered by insurance?

The short answer is that it depends. It’s common for insurance providers to cover nutrition therapy services if a patient receives a referral from another healthcare professional.

Some insurance providers may only cover nutrition services for populations that need it most, like children and adolescents, the elderly, or people with chronic health conditions like diabetes. Check with your insurance provider to see what kinds of services are covered under your individual insurance plan.

Who hires nutritionists?

Many different types of employers such as hospitals, physicians’ offices, holistic healthcare clinics, nursing care facilities, outpatient care facilities, natural pharmacies, herbalist shops, health food stores, corporations, food service management, food manufacturers, sports facilities, private practices, and more.

What comes next?

The role of nutritionists may continue to grow as Americans increasingly concern themselves with how their food impacts their well-being and the environment. As evidenced by the 2022 food and health survey from the International Food Information Council (IFIC), which showed 52% of consumers follow a diet or eating pattern (up 39% from 2021) and 57% are concerned about food waste.

A successful career as a nutritionist begins with a solid educational foundation. If you want to help people lead healthier, happier lives by harnessing the benefits of a healthy diet, you need to understand the principles of nutrition and how to apply them to unique individuals. Thankfully, there are so many certificate and degree programs to choose from that you’re sure to find an educational path that will propel you to your dream career.