Since hearing about a possible change in registration eligibility requirements in the past two years, many dietitians have become concerned about the educational implications for established and future registered dietitians.

This year at the Academy’s Food and Nutrition Conference and Expo the Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics (ASCEND) hosted a forum titled, “Where Should the Profession Go and How Should It Get There?” where the issue of eligibility requirements was discussed. Many present voiced questions and concerns and added to the national discussion.

As of now, there is no official fact sheet regarding proposed changes and many decisions are still being made. We recognize that there is concern and speculation. Here are the actual facts to help keep you informed:

In the fall of 2012 the Council on Future Practice released a Visioning Report and Recommendation to Academy members. The report includes nine specific recommendations and their rationales including the recommendation a graduate-level practitioner (which could be at the Master’s or even Doctoral level once the practitioner’s roles have been defined) for eligibility to become a registered dietitian.

The Visioning Report states that,

“For over a decade, the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics (Academy) has been discussing and debating making changes to education and credentialing to ensure that future dietetics practitioners are able to meet future practice needs. In 2005, the Dietetics Education Task Force (5) noted that basic educationalrequirements, consisting of a baccalaureate degree and supervised practice, have not changed since 1927.Although there have been updates in content, curriculum, competencies, and programs, the basic structure of education has remained intact. For many years, both Academy members and employers of dietetics practitioners have expressed concerns about dietetics education and the ability of graduates to meet marketplace demands.”

 CDR, in response to this report, passed the following motion at its March 2013 meeting:

 Move to change the entry-level registration eligibility education requirements for dietitian, beginning in 2024, from a baccalaureate degree to a minimum of a graduate degree.  All other entry-level dietitian registration eligibility requirements remain the same.

This information has been disseminated to program directors that have a program accredited by the Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics (ACEND).

We look forward to future decisions and will keep you updated as we receive information.