Registered Dietitian/Nutrition Professionals

REGISTERED DIETITIAN OR NUTRITION PROFESSIONAL

Definition: Registered Dietitian or Nutrition Professional A registered dietitian or nutrition professional as defined by Medicare is an individual who, on or after December 22, 2000:

1. Holds a bachelor’s or higher degree granted by a regionally accredited college or university in the United States (or an equivalent foreign degree) with completion of the academic requirements of a program in nutrition or dietetics accredited by an appropriate national accreditation organization recognized for this purpose;
2. Has completed at least 900 hours of supervised dietetics practice under the supervision of a registered dietitian or nutrition professional; and
3. Is licensed or certified as a dietitian or nutrition professional by the State in which the services are performed. In a State that does not provide for licensure or certification, the individual will be deemed to have met this requirement if he or she is recognized as a registered dietitian by the Commission on Dietetic Registration or its successor organization, or meets the requirements of paragraphs 1 and 2 above.

*There are two caveats to these requirements:

• A dietitian or nutritionist licensed or certified in a State as of December 21, 2000, is not required to meet the requirements of 1 and 2 above.
• A dietitian in good standing, as recognized by the Commission of Dietetic Registration or its successor organization, is deemed to have met the requirements of 1 and 2 above.