More than almost anything else, Oklahoma is a state that values it’s food. In fact, Oklahoma has designated a state meal which includes such local favorites as barbecue pork, fried okra, chicken fried steak and strawberries. Despite all the fried foods included in the state meal, Oklahoma citizens care about their health, which is why many consider working as a registered dietitian.
To become a licensed dietitian in Oklahoma, you must meet all the requirements detailed by the Oklahoma Medical Board.
Requirements to Become a Dietitian in Oklahoma
Basic Requirements
- Age: 18 years or older.
- Education: Before applying, you should have earned a Baccalaureate degree from an accredited university.
- Licensure: You must register with the Oklahoma Medical Board to be granted the title of a licensed dietitian in this state.
- Degree: Degrees acceptable to the Oklahoma Medical Board will include courses in human nutrition, food and nutrition, dietetics and food management.
- Experience: You must complete an internship or pre-professional program that has been approved by the Oklahoma Advisory Committee on Dietetic Registration.
- Exam: Oklahoma dietitians must have passed the Commission on Dietetic Registration certification exam.
- Citizenship: Only legal aliens or US citizens are eligible to become licensed dietitians in Oklahoma.
Additional Requirements
- Background Check: You will be required to undergo a background check before you will be approved to be an Oklahoma licensed dietitian.
Application Process
- Licensure: When you are ready, you will submit your application to the Oklahoma medical board. Your application must be fully completed and should include verification of your education, work experience and exam grade. The initial license fee is $120 and must be renewed annually for $100.
- Provisional Licenses: Those who have met all requirements except for examination may file for a provisional license. Provisional licenses cost $30 and renewal costs $100. These licenses can be held for two years and allow you to work under the supervision of a licensed dietitian.
Degrees Related to Dietitians
Enrolling in the correct degree program is an important part of becoming a licensed dietitian. Some of the degrees that you could choose include food and nutrition, dietetics, clinical nutrition, food management and nutritional science.
Major Cities in Oklahoma
- Oklahoma City is home to 610,613 citizens, making it the biggest city in the state.
- Tulsa is Oklahoma’s second largest city, and is home to 398,121 people.
- Norman, where the University of Oklahoma is located, has 118,197 residents and is the third biggest city in the state.
What Does a Nutritionist Do?
- The primary goal of a nutritionist is to aid their clients in fulfilling their nutritional requirements and improving their health. To do this, nutritionists outline meal plans for their clients to follow, and make changes to those plans as their clients need or request.
- It is common for nutritionists to work in institutions as well, developing meal plans on a much larger scale. A few of these institutions can include nursing homes, schools, hospitals and prisons.
- Receiving and providing continuing nutritional education is another job responsibility of nutritionists and dietitians.
Related Careers
Nutritionists have very similar careers as dietitians. They both work directly with clients and build meal plans to improve their client’s health. Working as a dietetic technician is another similar career as they work in support of dietitians.
Employment Numbers in Oklahoma
As of 2015, 650 dietitians were employed in Oklahoma. This is according to the most recently available numbers provided by the Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Salary Ranges in Oklahoma
$51,920 is the annual mean salary for a dietitian working in Oklahoma.
Oklahoma Dietitian Links
- Oklahoma Medical Board
- Commission on Dietetic Registration
- Bureau of Labor Statistics for Dietitians and Nutritionists
Nutritionist and Dietitian Programs in Oklahoma
Nutritionist and Dietitian Programs in Oklahoma
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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!