Want to Become A Dietitian In Hawai’i?

Learn more below!

Introducing The Profession

What Is A Dietitian?

A dietitian is a healthcare professional who specializes in food and nutrition. They provide expert advice on proper eating habits to promote health, manage diseases, and improve quality of life. Dietitians are trained to create individualized nutrition plans and counsel people on how to meet their dietary needs.

How Is That Different From A Nutritionist?

The key difference between a dietitian and a nutritionist lies in regulation and qualification:

DietitianNutritionist
✔️ A licensed and regulated professional
✔️ Has completed specific educational requirements
✔️ Passed the national registration exam
✔️ Completes continuing education programs every year		✔️ May or may not have formal training
✔️ The title “nutritionist” is not regulated in many states
✔️ Anyone can claim to be a nutritionist without having any specific formal qualifications

Educational pathway

Earn a Bachelor’s Degree

  • Complete an ACEND-accredited Didactic Program in Dietetics (DPD), which includes the required coursework in nutrition, biochemistry, physiology, and more. You will receive a DPD statement upon completion, which is necessary for applying to a dietetic internship.
  • If your degree doesn’t provide a DPD statement, some graduate schools may not require one. However, you’ll still need to meet their specific prerequisites, so be sure to check each school’s requirements.

Complete a Master’s Degree

Starting in 2024, a master’s degree is required to sit for the CDR exam. You can pursue a graduate program in dietetics or a related field. Some programs offer coordinated programs (CPs) that combine both a master’s degree and the supervised practice hours required for dietetic registration.

Complete a Dietetic Internship (DI)

After earning a DPD statement, you must apply for and complete an ACEND-accredited dietetic internship. This supervised practice typically lasts 6–12 months and includes rotations in clinical, community, and food service settings. Some internships may also offer a graduate degree in combination with the internship.

Pass the CDR Exam

Once you have completed the internship, you will be eligible to sit for the Commission on Dietetic Registration (CDR) exam to become a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist (RDN).

Obtain State Licensure

Many states, including Hawaii, require licensure to practice as a dietitian. State licensure requirements vary but generally involve passing the CDR exam and meeting continuing education requirements. You can find the licensure requirements for all states here.

Maintain Your Credentials

Every 5 years, dietitians must complete 75 Continuing Professional Education Units (CEUs) to maintain their registration with the CDR.

Your Career As A Dietitian

What is the average salary?

What is the projected profession growth? 

According to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment of dietitians is projected to grow 8% from 2019-2029, much faster than average for all occupations, because of the increased emphasis on the role of food and nutrition in preventing and treating diseases, a growing and aging population and public interest in nutrition. View the AND Fact Sheet on the profession.

  • Employment RSE: 1.9%
  • Employment: 73860

Where do dietitians work? 

  • Hospitals, nursing homes, clinics, or other health-care facilities 
  • Sports nutrition and corporate wellness programs 
  • Food and nutrition-related business and industries 
  • Private practice 
  • Community and public health settings 
  • Universities and medical centers
  • Research areas 

Speciality Areas Dietitians Work In

  • Sports nutrition
  • Pediatric nutrition 
  • Oncology nutrition 
  • Renal nutrition 
  • Eating disorders
  • Community and public health
  • Culinary arts
  • Research 
  • Nutrition educator

Speciality Certifications Dietitians Can Obtain

CDE, CNSC, CSSD, CFM, CHES, CSG, CSP, CSO, CSOWM, CEDRD

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