By becoming a nutritionist you might become an expert in advising people healthy food. You will be able to recognize health issues in people easily. To start working as a professional nutritionist you will have to have a degree along with pre-professional experience and licensure. But is there any nutritionist certification in New Jersey?
License in New Jersey
Among the 50 states of the US; there are 35 states which have licensure for both dietitians and nutritionists, 7 states have certification in which 4 are still seeking it, 3 states have title protection, 3 states have no statute in which 2 are looking for licensure, and 4 states are still pending to issue licenses. You should know if you are a resident of New Jersey that this state has no statute. It has no board representing licenses of practitioners.
The State Of New Jersey’s 215th legislature has provided an Act for licensing of practitioners like dietitian and nutritionists. This Act has been named as “Dietitian/Nutritionist Licensing Act.”
According to the legislature, Act is to be made so that public health could be protected and all those who practice under the profession are qualified and capable to legally work.
The Act maintains the fact that there will be a board made with the name of State Board of Dietitians/Nutritionists. It shall have eight members who will be responsible for handling and promoting licensing practices. All the members should be from this state. Two members from these will be from general public whereas five will be licensed dietitians and nutritionists. They will be appointed for three years.
Licensing Requirements
The requirements which are presented in the legislature that still to be approved are:
- Possess a good moral nature
- Be 18 years old
- Obtain a baccalaureate, masters or doctoral degree from the US registered university or college.
- Major courses should be in public health nutrition or dietetics and the board should approve it.
- Minimum course requirements in chemistry, food sciences, medical nutrition therapy to be covered.
- Complete an internship of at least 900 hours.
- It should be supervised by licensed nutritionist.
- Pass the examination taken by the representative board.
- If you are an applicant for renewing your licensure then you only will have to submit application fee and no exam will be taken.
- Know that expiry date for temporary license will be the same after a year as was for providing licensure.
Degree Options
In New Jersey, you will find both bachelors and masters degree programs in nutrition and food science.
Bachelor’s degree courses may include:
- Dynamics of Food and Society
- Applied Nutrition in the Lifecycle
- Nutrition and Food Science Professional Seminar
- Experimental Food Science
- Applied Microbiology
Master’s degree courses may include:
- Social Marketing in Nutrition
- Research in Nutrition and Food Science
- Principles of Nutrition
There are also online degrees in nutrition available for you in this state if you intend to study from home.
Employment Prospects
New Jersey is one of such states where there are excellent opportunities for nutritionists and dietitians. In 2011, these professionals had nearly 2,010 jobs (BLS).
Salary Trends
The annual mean salary earned by these health practitioners in 2011 was $60,380 per year and $29.03 per hour (BLS).
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