New York is well-known for its food. In 2005, for instance, New York produced 456 million pounds of cabbage, which was second only to California. New York is also home to some notable food first, including the invention of the potato chip in Saratoga and the first ever cattle ranch in Long Island. Also, New York City is home to over 23,000 restaurants. To make sure they eat healthy, many New York residents seek the services of a registered dietitian, making this a very attractive career.
If you want to use the title of a certified dietitian in New York, you will need to fulfill the qualifications developed by the Office of Professions.
Requirements to Become a Dietitian in New York
Basic Requirements
- Age: New York dietitians must be of legal age, 18 or older.
- Education: Either a bachelor’s degree or an acceptable associate’s degree is required before licensure.
- Licensure: You must be licensed with the State of New York to be legally allowed to use the designation of ‘Certified Dietitian’.
- Degree: Bachelor’s degrees must be accredited by the Commission on Accreditation for Dietetics Education (CADE) and should include major focus on professional dietetics and nutrition. Associate’s degrees must also be accredited by CADE and should follow the same coursework requirement.
- Experience: Applicants with a bachelor’s degree should have at least 800 hours of supervised work experience. Applicants with an Associate’s degree need a minimum of 1,600 hours supervised work experience.
- Exam: All applicants must have earned a passing grade in the certification exam given by the Commission on Dietetic Registration (CDR).
- Citizenship: Dietitians in New York must be legal immigrants or US citizens.
Additional Requirements
- Background Check: All dietitians must undergo a criminal and professional background check and must abide by professional standards.
- Endorsement: Associate’s degree applicants must provide endorsement from three dietitians who are licensed by the state of New York or are registered with an acceptable national organization.
Application Process
- Licensure: Your application will be submitted with the New York Office of Professions. It should include a $294 certification fee and all documents necessary to verify you have met the educational, experience and exam requirements. When approval is granted, you can work as a dietitian and use the title of a certified dietitian.
Degrees Related to Dietitians
A variety of degrees are related to, and useful for, dietitians. Some of these degrees can include dietetics, clinical nutrition, human nutrition, food management and food and nutrition.
Major Cities in New York
- New York City is the largest city in the state with 8.4 million residents.
- 259,000 people live in Buffalo, marking it as the second largest city in New York.
- Rochester is the third largest city, with 210,358 citizens.
What Does a Nutritionist Do?
- Development of meal plans to help clients meet their nutritional needs is the primary duty of a nutritionist and a dietitian. After constructing a meal plan, nutritionists will monitor and document client progress, and may alter the plan as required.
- Many nutritionists choose to work in institutions like schools, hospitals and nursing homes. These nutritionists will develop plans meant for large groups of people.
- Some nutritionists work in education, outlining proper human nutrition to the public.
Related Careers
Dietetic technicians work directly with dietitians and perform many of the same client oriented tasks as dietitians. Nutritionists also perform duties in similar areas, particularly constructing meal plans for clients.
Employment Numbers in New York
4,700 dietitians were working in New York as of 2015 as documented by the Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Salary Ranges in New York
Dietitians working throughout New York can expect an average mean salary of $62,960.
New York Dietitian Links
- New York Licensing Requirements
- Commission on Dietetic Registration
- Employment Information by the Bureau of Labor Statistics
Nutritionist and Dietitian Programs in New York
Nutritionist and Dietitian Programs in New York
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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!