Maine is the provider of almost 90% of the nation’s lobster supply, as well as the producer of most of the wild blueberries in the nation. These superfruit berries are grown on farms that cover 60,000 acres in the state, and almost all of them are frozen or canned. It’s a state where people take their food seriously, and there’s a need for professional experts in health and nutrition to enable the creation of solid diet plans for residents across the state. These are licensed dietitians.
If helping people to make healthy choices sounds like a rewarding career to you, learn all the steps to take, to become a licensed dietitian in Maine.
Requirements to Become a Dietitian in Maine
Basic Requirements
- Age: In order to complete the other requirements for licensure you’ll need to be a legal adult.
- Education: You will need to meet all requirements of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, which requires a bachelor’s degree..
- Licensure: Licensure is required to operate and practice as a dietitian in this state.
- Degree: As part of your studies you’ll need to complete coursework in inorganic and organic chemistry, microbiology, human physiology, communications, sociology or psychology, food composition, nutrition, management theory and economics.
- Experience: 900 hours of supervised clinical experience are required.
- Citizenship: Applicants should be able to legally hold employment in the United States.
- Additional Requirements: A criminal background check is a requirement of licensure.
- Examination: Applicants must pass the AND exam.
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Application Process
- Licensure: In addition to your license application, you must send documentation of completion of all licensing requirements as well as a $150 licensing fee, a $25 application fee, and the $21 criminal background check fee. Your license will be good for one year, and must be renewed by December 31 annually. Renewal carries a $150 fee and 15 hours of continuing ed.
Degrees Related to Dietitians
The degrees which fulfill AND requirements and are closely related to the dietitian field include food and nutrition, dietetics, nutrition management.
Discover health and nutritionist programs in Maine that are a match for you!
Major Cities in Maine
- Portland is the largest city in Maine, with 66,318 residents.
- Lewistown boasts a population of 36,437.
- Bangor, home of author Stephen King, is a city with 32,673 residents.
- The state capital of Augusta hosts 18,793 people.
What Does a Nutritionist Do?
- Dietitians and nutritionists help people to make healthy choices, create meal plans with proper eating habits and generally lead a healthy lifestyle, through examining the dietary choices of clients, and helping them to develop a plan to improve their nutrition.
- Another focus of nutritionists and dietitians is nutritional education, both working with individual clients and working with large groups, from formal classes to institutional workshops.
- Many choose to develop meal plans for institutions like schools, prisons, healthcare facilities, assisted living homes or the like to ensure that those who work, attend and are residents get healthy meals.
Related Careers
Closely-related fields include the dietetic technician, who works alongside the dietitian to help plan and implement meal and nutrition plans, and nutritionists, who ply a nearly identical skills set to dietitians.
Employment Numbers in Maine
There are currently 250 licensed dietitians, according to figures from the BLS. The field is expected to enjoy a 20% growth by 2020.
Salary Ranges in Maine
The average salary for a dietitian in Maine is $57,410.
Maine Dietitian Links
- Commission of Dietetic Registration
- Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics
- Maine Professional & Financial Regulation, Dietitian Requirements
- Dietitian Career Outlook by the Bureau of Labor Statistics
Nutritionist and Dietitian Programs in Maine
Nutritionist and Dietitian Programs in Maine
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Choose your area of study and receive free information about programs you are interested in. Qualified nutritionists and dietitians often pursue a bachelor’s degree before attempting certification. Though both deal exclusively with nutrition, food, and dietary choices, nutrionists and dietitians do have different roles. Request information from multiple schools to find the best program and educational opportunity for you!