How do I Become a Registered Dietitian?

The evaluation of registered dietitian level is divided into two levels: registered dietitian and registered dietitian.

Registered dietitian

In order to adapt to social and economic development, implement the "Healthy China 2030 Plan Outline" and the National Nutrition Plan, strengthen the construction of the nutrition professional team in China, improve the professional knowledge and skills of nutritionists, and standardize the nutritionist's professional behavior in order to provide better all-round and full-cycle protection Residents' nutrition and health. On the basis of learning from foreign dietitian industry management, the Chinese Nutrition Association has issued the Implementation Plan for the Orderly Undertaking of the Government's Association to Transfer Government Functions to Expand the Pilot Work and the Articles of Association of the Chinese Science and Technology Association. And relevant documents such as the "Charter of the Chinese Nutrition Society", set up a registered dietitian level evaluation system, and provide members and the whole society with the evaluation of the ability of nutrition and nutrition-related professionals. Its goal is to promote the overall requirements for the professionalization and socialization of scientific and technological personnel evaluation, make use of the professional attributes and technical advantages of the society, better serve the construction of professional talents, and optimize the national health service and security system.

The evaluation of registered dietitian level is divided into two levels: registered dietitian and registered dietitian. The dietitian's basic professional qualifications and vocational level evaluation include courses, practices, and examinations. Examinations before registration follow a national unified outline, unified propositions, and unified organization, and exams are held 1-2 times a year.

Those who meet the following basic conditions can apply to participate in the professional level evaluation and examination of registered dietitians:

(1) Registered dietitian

1. Bachelor degree in nutrition and related majors;

2. Complete the course of nutritionist and obtain the corresponding credits;

3. Engaged in nutrition and related work for at least one year or internship in a practice base for one year;

4. Ability to work independently.

(2) Registered nutrition technician

1. College degree in nutrition-related major or bachelor degree in other majors;

2. Complete courses set by nutrition technicians and obtain corresponding credits;

3. Engaged in nutrition and related work for 2 years.

Serial number	Course modules	Registered dietitian		Registered nutrition technician
		Curriculum	credit	Curriculum	credit
1	Medical foundation	Anatomy, Biochemistry, Physiology, Microbiology, Immunology	10	Biochemistry, Physiology	1
2	Basic nutrition	Introduction to Nutrition, Basics of Nutrition	4	Introduction to Nutrition, Basics of Nutrition	3
3	Food nutrition and hygiene	Food Nutrition, Food Analysis, Food Processing, Food Hygiene	6	Food nutrition, food hygiene	5
4	Meal preparation and catering management	Culinary science, meal management and design, recipe preparation, catering management and practice	6	Culinary science, meal management and design, recipe preparation, catering management and practice	10
5	Public nutrition	Dietary nutrient reference intakes, dietary guidelines, nutrition surveys and evaluations, food and health and dietary patterns (including vegetarian food), community nutrition and chronic disease management, health management	5	Dietary nutrient reference intakes, dietary guidelines, nutrition surveys and evaluations, food and health and dietary patterns (including vegetarian food), community nutrition and chronic disease management, health management	3
6	Population nutrition	Nutrition of different age groups (different physiological conditions), nutrition of different occupations and environment, sports nutrition	4	Nutrition of different age groups (different physiological conditions), nutrition of different occupations and environment, sports nutrition	3
7	Clinical nutrition	Introduction to clinical nutrition, parenteral and parenteral nutrition, nutritional treatment of diseases	7	Introduction to Clinical Nutrition	1
8	Nutrition Pedagogy	Psychology, Nutrition Counseling and Education, Nutrition Counseling and Educational Practice	4	Nutrition Counseling and Education, Nutrition Counseling and Educational Practice	1
9	Environment and health	Introduction to Environment and Health, Epidemiology and Health Statistics	3		-
10	Comprehensive Internship		1		-
Total credits			50		27
Total class hours ( 16 credit hours per credit )			800		432

The Registered Dietitian Level Evaluation Exam is a test to assess whether the applicant has the professional knowledge and skills necessary for a dietitian. ^[2]

The Chinese Nutrition Association is the management organization for the registration and registration of nutritionists. Persons who have obtained the Certificate of Registered Dietitian or Certificate of Registered Nutritionist and have successfully registered for registration shall be subject to the management of the Chinese Nutrition Society. The Nutrition Institute will cancel its registration and cancel its certificate.

If the certificate is obtained for the first time, the registration is valid for five years, and three months before the expiration, the certificate holder must apply to the Chinese Nutrition Society for re-registration procedures. For re-registration, the following conditions must be met:

(1) Accepting continuing education to meet credit requirements;

(2) During the period of employment, strictly abide by professional ethics and have no bad records;

(3) There is no objection from the unit.

Completing registration is a basic requirement to meet the knowledge and skills of nutritionists. Registered nutritionists or registered nutrition technicians must participate in continuing education, continuously update their professional knowledge, and improve their professional skills.

A registered dietitian must obtain at least 50 credits for continuing education during the validity period of the certificate, and a registered dietitian must obtain at least 30 credits for continuing education during the validity period of the certificate.