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:
- 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;
- Has completed at least 900 hours of supervised dietetics practice under the supervision of a registered dietitian or nutrition professional; and
- 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.