Registered Dietitian Qualifications In California

Becoming a Registered Dietitian, requires many qualifications and continuing education throughout your career. The number of Dietitians and Nutritionists is expected to grow from 6,200 jobs in 2008 to 6,900 within 10 years. This 11.3 percent increase, and is a faster than average occupational growth rate than most careers in California.

Introduction

Dietitian's duties include, planning nutrition and food programs and supervising the preparation and serving of meals. They promote healthy eating habits and recommend certain modifications in diets for people with health-related illnesses. Dietitian's often work in schools or hospitals, and are in charge of managing the food service system in these institutions. As of 2010, the median wage in California of Registered Dietitians and Nutritionists included $31.16 hourly or $64,798 annually.

Prerequisite Age and Education

To become a Registered Dietitian you must be at least 18 years old, and have completed a four-year bachelor degree or higher from a university or college accredited by the "Western Association of Schools and Colleges or other regional accreditation agency". Common bachelor degree's for Registered Dietitians include, food service system management, nutrition and foods, dietetics or other related areas.

Clinical Practice

In addition to the college degree, in order to become a Registered Dietitian you must complete a minimum of 900 hours in a clinical setting approved by the State Department of Health Services. This clinical practice is designed to help prepare each new Dietitian with entry-level supervision and instruction; it typically takes place at a health-care facility, a food service corporation and/or a community agency. The clinical program could run concurrently with the undergraduate or graduate studies, and it usually takes around six to 12 months to complete.

Exam

After successful completion of the supervised clinical practice and you received your college degree, you must pass a registration examination given by the Commission on Dietetic Registration, in order to become a Registered Dietitian for the state of California. The application for the exam costs $200, and it consists of 140 scored questions and 25 un-scored pretest questions. Once you answer the minimum of 125 questions correctly, then you passed the exam and you don't need to answer the rest of the questions.

Considerations

In order to maintain your credentials as a Registered Dietitian in the State of California, you must complete 75 units of professional education every five years with the Commission on Dietetic Registration of the American Dietetic Association.