How to Become a Registered Dietitian in Indiana

Nearly 65 percent of Indiana’s land is farmland, with organic agriculture accounting for well over 18,000 of those acres. With 60,938 farms spread across the state, this is a place in the Union that values its health and nutrition. In fact, the official state beverage is water. In this state, those who pursue a career providing education, guidance and care for the diet and nutrition of others are called dietitians. If a career in great and healthy eating appeals to you, learn everything you need to know about becoming a certified dietitian in Indiana.

Requirements to Become a Dietitian in Indiana

Basic Requirements

• Age: To work as a certified dietitian in Indiana, you should be at least 18 years old.
• Education: A bachelor’s degree and a nutrition education accredited by the Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics.
• Licensure: Instead of licensure, Indiana dietitians obtain a Certification.
• Degree: A degree is required in nutrition and dietetics to become an Indiana Dietitian. You must submit your official college or university transcripts.
• Experience: You must complete a supervised internship of at 1,200 hours.
• Citizenship: To work as a dietitian you must be certified to hold employment in the United States.
• Additional Requirements: A criminal background check is required.
• Examination: Indiana does not have its own state dietetic exam; it is, however, essential for certified dietitians to complete the requirements set by the American Dietetic Association.

Application Process

• Licensure: Dietitians in Indiana obtain a Certification of dietitian by completing the application form including a signed, notarized affidavit, two photographs, college transcripts, any current registration card for the CDR, a criminal background check, results of your CDR exam and a $20 application fee. Your license will be good for two years, and renewal requires 30 hours of continuing education.

Degrees Related to Dietitians

To become a dietitian, you must have a baccalaureate degree. Many pursue degrees in Nutrition and Dietetics. Other related degrees include culinary arts and family and consumer sciences.

Major Cities in Indiana

• Indianapolis, the capital of Indiana has a population of over 820,000.
• Fort Wayne, with a population of 256,496 is the second largest in the state.
• Bloomington, county seat of Monroe County, boasts 82,575 souls.
• South Bend is a college town and home of Notre Dame University.

What Does a Nutritionist Do?

• Dietitians and nutritionists have an important job helping people to live healthy lifestyles and create proper diets through examining the eating behaviors of their clients and helping them to develop an ideal nutritional plan.
• Another important aspect of a dietitian’s job is to provide education on nutrition, either in group or individual settings.
• Dietitians can also work in larger institutions, creating meal plans for schools, hospitals or other large organizations.

Related Careers

Dietetic technicians and nutritionists both share very similar job functions that are focused on education, eating habits and nutrition, and the three career paths often work together.

Employment Numbers in Indiana

Current BLS statistics indicate 1,160 dietitians employed across the state of Indiana. Across the nation, the job is expected to grow by 16%, making it a very strong career path.

Salary Ranges in Indiana

Nutritionists in Indiana earned a mean wage of $54,140, slightly below the nationwide mean average wage.

Indiana Dietitian Links

• Commission of Dietetic Registration
• Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics
• Dietitian Career Outlook by the Bureau of Labor Statistics

Nutritionist and Dietitian Programs in Indiana