How to Become a Registered Dietitian in Ohio

Like almost every state in the country, Ohio places a strong emphasis on food. Over half of its land is used for farming, meaning its people are connected to their food source. One of the most important things to Ohioans is eating the right way, which is why many residents of this state seek nutritional advice from registered dietitians.

If you’re someone who is interested in becoming licensed as a dietitian in Ohio, then your first step should be to learn about the licensing requirements laid out by the Ohio Board of Dietetics.

Requirements to Become a Dietitian in Ohio

Basic Requirements

• Age: Applicants in Ohio must be legal adults, which is 18 years of age or older.
• Education: A bachelor’s degree obtained from an accredited institution is required for licensure in Ohio.
• Licensure: You must be licensed by the Ohio Board of Dietetics before you can practice as a registered dietitian.
• Degree: The degree or dietetic program that you enroll in must follow the academic guidelines that have been established by the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics.
• Experience: Ohio requires dietitians to complete the work experience requirements detailed by the Commission on Dietetic Registration (CDR). 1200 hours of experience supervised by a registered dietitian during the course of an internship or coordinated program is the requirement.
• Citizenship: US citizens and legal aliens that are residents of Ohio can apply for a dietitian license.

Additional Requirements

• Background Check: Every applicant in Ohio is required to undergo a background check prior to licensure.

Application Process

• Licensure: After meeting the described requirements, you will submit your application to the Board. Every application must include educational history, pre-professional work experience information and proof of a passing grade in the CDR exam and CDR registration. The application fee is $125. Licenses must be renewed annually for $95.
• Limited Permit: If you have completed your education and experience requirements but have not sat for the CDR exam, you can be granted a limited permit. This permit costs $65 and will last until you take the exam.

Degrees Related to Dietitians

Educational programs that are related to being a dietitian can include clinical nutrition, nutritional science, nutritional education, food and nutrition, dietetics and human nutrition.

Major Cities in Ohio

• With a population of 822,553, Columbus is the largest city in Ohio.
• Second on the list of Ohio’s most populous cities is Cleveland, which is the home of 390,113 people.
• The third largest city in Ohio is Cincinnati, which has 297,517 residents.

What Does a Nutritionist Do?

• Primarily, a nutritionist will work with individuals to help them achieve proper nutrition and an improved state of health. Nutritionists will determine each client’s nutritional requirements and will develop a meal plan that is designed to fit their client’s’ individual needs.
• Tracking a client’s progress and making alterations to a meal plan is also a major responsibility of a nutritionist.
• Nutritionists who want to work on a larger scale will develop meal plans for prisons, nursing homes, hospitals and schools. They may also choose to provide nutritional education to groups and communities.

Related Careers

Some careers are very closely related to working as a dietitian. These careers can include working with a dietitian as a dietetic technician or seeking employment as a certified nutritionist.

Employment Numbers in Ohio

In 2015, dietitians working in Ohio numbered 2,450. This was documented and made available to the public by the Bureau of Labor Statistics.

Salary Ranges in Ohio

If you choose to work in Ohio as a registered dietitian, you can expect an average annual salary of $56,440.

Ohio Dietitian Links

• Bureau of Labor Statistics Employment Numbers
• Commission on Dietetic Registration
• Ohio Board of Dietetics

Nutritionist and Dietitian Programs in Ohio