To become a Registered Dietitian, three requirements must be completed:

• Complete at least a bachelor's degree at an accredited college or university in the United States AND complete course work approved by the Commission on Accreditation of Dietetics Education of the American Dietetic Association.  A major in nutrition and dietetics at Western Kentucky University allows for the completion of the bachelor's degree AND the necessary course work.
• Complete an internship that has been accredited by approved by the Commission on Accreditation of Dietetics Education of the American Dietetic Association.  Students apply to these programs in their last year at Western Kentucky University and complete the programs after graduating from the University.  Entrance into internships is highly competitive.  An undergraduate grade point average of at least 3.3 and relevant work experience and/or volunteer experience aid in the preparation for a supervised practice program.  NOTE:  Nationally, there is a shortage of internships available; there are only internship openinings for about half of the students which apply to internships.  Some internships require taking the GRE for program admission.
  
• Pass a national examination administered by the Commission on Dietetic Registration of The American Dietetic Association.

Maintaining registration status:

• After becoming a registered dietitian, continued learning must occur to maintain registration status.  This continued education involves the generation of a professional development portfolio.  Dietitians must earn 75 hours of continuing professional development related to self-selected goals within a five year period.  More about the process of professional development may be found on the website of the Commission on Dietetic Registration (CDR), the credentialing agency for The American Dietetic Association.
• In addition to earning registration status through the Commission on Dietetic Registration of the American Dietetic Association, individual states may have laws regarding licensure/certification regarding dietitians and nutritionists.  For example, the Kentucky Division of Occupations and Professions has a Board of Dietitians and Nutritionists.