Texas produces about 5 percent of the total crop of rice for the United States, making it 6th in production of that grain, with 98 percent being long grain rice. Tortillas are another major food production of Texas, with roughly 1/3 of the country’s tortillas produced there. Cattle, too, are big business in Texas. Food is a major part of the Texas economy and lifestyle, and when people need help making healthy choices in their lives, they turn to licensed dietitians. If this rewarding career sounds like the right road for you, learn about the path to becoming a licensed dietitian in Texas.
Requirements to Become a Dietitian in Texas
Basic Requirements
- Age: In order to fulfill the major requirements for this career you will need to be, at minimum, a legal adult.
- Education: The minimum education to gain licensure is a bachelor’s degree.
- Licensure: Licensure is required to identify or practice as a dietitian in Texas.
- Degree: Your bachelor’s degree must be in food science, dietetics, food systems management or equivalent approved AND
- Experience: A supervised internship or professional experience program of at least 900 hours is required.
- Citizenship: to work as a dietitian you have to be legally able to hold a job in the U.S.
- Additional Requirements: A criminal background check is required to prove you have no felony criminal convictions.
- Examination: Completion of the Commission on Dietetic Registration exam is required, as well as a jurisprudence exam, which costs $35.
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Application Process
- Licensure: In addition to your license application, you will need to include proof that you have passed the exam, completed your internship, and have successfully achieved your bachelor’s degree, as well as your background check results. The fee for your initial application will be $108.
Degrees Related to Dietitians
Dietitians must have an associated degree to become licensed. Degrees that fulfill this requirement include food science, food and nutrition, dietetics, food systems management and similar programs.
Discover health and nutritionist programs in Texas that are a match for you!
Major Cities in Texas
- Houston is Texas’ largest city, and 2,296,224 people call it home.
- San Antonio, the second largest city in the state, is home to 1,469,945 souls.
- Dallas, home of the Cowboys NFL team, has a population of 1,300,092.
- The state capital of Austin has a population of just under 1 million.
What Does a Nutritionist Do?
- Nutritionists are very similar to dietitians, providing expert advice on how people can live healthy lifestyles through the right dietary choices.
- Often, they work one-on-one with clients, but can work in group settings both formal and informal.
- Many focus on education and awareness.
- Some choose to work in major institutions, such as schools or personal care facilities, developing and implementing healthy meal plans.
Related Careers
- Houston is Texas’ largest city, and 2,296,224 people call it home.
- San Antonio, the second largest city in the state, is home to 1,469,945 souls.
- Dallas, home of the Cowboys NFL team, has a population of 1,300,092.
- The state capital of Austin has a population of just under 1 million.
What Does a Nutritionist Do?
- Nutritionists are very similar to dietitians, providing expert advice on how people can live healthy lifestyles through the right dietary choices.
- Often, they work one-on-one with clients, but can work in group settings both formal and informal.
- Many focus on education and awareness.
- Some choose to work in major institutions, such as schools or personal care facilities, developing and implementing healthy meal plans.
Related Careers
Health and nutrition-related careers that are related to the dietitian include the nutritionist, who performs almost the same job, and the dietetic technician, who works alongside the dietitian to implement nutritional and meal plans, usually in clinical or institutional settings.
Employment Numbers in Texas
As of 2015, the BLS reports that there were 4,180 dietitians employed across the state, with the field expected to grow nationwide by 16% over the next few years.
Salary Ranges in Texas
Dietitians in Texas make a good living, with the average earning in Texas being $57,570 per year.
Texas Dietitian Links
- Frequently Asked Questions: Texas Dietitian Licensing and Registration
- 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 Texas
Nutritionist and Dietitian Programs in Texas
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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!