Nutritionist License and Certification in Florida

Nutritionists are growing in demand as health awareness is increasing in people. Because focus was not given before on health and diet, people always had troubles with food they ate. With time came awareness as well as a need to for such professionals who could control and guide people with the right food. They were termed as nutritionists and dietitians.

Are you interested in working in Florida as a nutritionist? Well then all you have to do is follow a proper path which leads to this profession.

For understanding more about these practitioners it is also essential to give a thought to licensing and certification. Licensure is basically a test of your skills; it is a way to prove that you are a devoted and worthy practitioner. On the other hand, it puts a label on you to practice without any restrictions in the state. What if you are not registered? Questions like these are very common so, in this article you will find information regarding nutritionist certification in Florida.

Licensure in Florida

Overview

The first thing to understand is that unlike some other states of the US that require certification or no statute, Florida requires dietitian, nutritionist and nutrition counselor to have licensure. There is a specific board of every state which helps applicants get registered. In Florida, the representative board is Dietetic and Nutrition Practice Council. It acts on the rules and regulations which are set by the state in ensuring that practitioners are properly licensed. Other than this, there are representative members who process your information and help you with the examinations and registration.

Requirements for licensure

Certain rules set by the higher authorities to become licensed in Florida are:

• You should have a bachelor’s degree with major courses in food management, human nutrition, and dietetics and food nutrition.
• The degree should be earned from an accredited institute at the Florida’s state.
• You should have completed 900 hours practice which is to be of level lower than professional level.
• This pre-professional practice should be done in nutrition or dietetics.
• You should successfully pass the examination given by the Commission of Dietetic Council.

Licensure methods

It is equally important to keep in mind that there are three different licensing methods. They are through examination, endorsement of State as licensed Dietitian and Endorsement of licensure in all other states.

• “Examination method” is used if you have not cleared registered dietitian exam. The examination is prepared by the Commission on Dietetics Registration (CDR).
• “Endorsement of status for RDs” could be opted if have already registered with the commission.
• If you a practitioner residing in state other then Florida and are currently registered, then you could look for “Endorsement of Licensure in another State”.

Examination for licensure

As stated earlier that the licensure exam is taken by the Commission on Dietetic Registration (CDR). For it, you will have to submit an application along with the licensure fee. It is to note here that the fee for renewal of licensure is separate from application and registration fees. This fee has to be given to CRD and ACT testing services. CDR after receiving your application and fee will contact you and give date and timings for your examination.

Degree Programs

Associate degree, bachelor’s degree, master’s degree and doctoral degree are offered in nutrition and diet in Florida. The Florida State University has different programs in nutrition among which some are Bachelor of Science in Food and Nutrition, Master’s in Nutrition and Food Sciences and Doctoral degree in Nutrition and Food Sciences. Many online schools also offer various degree programs for nutritionist and dietitians.

Courses

• Models of Health Behavior
• Cardio respiratory Evaluation
• Food Preservation
• Vitamins and Minerals
• Adv. Exercise Physiology

Salary and Employment

The mean salary earned by nutritionists in this state in 2011 was $56,720 per year and $27.27 per hour. The number of people employed as nutritionists or dietitians in Florida was 3,400 in 2011 (BLS).