What is a Dietitian?
I'm often asked "what is the difference between a dietitian and nutritionist?". The main differences are:
- The title "Registered Dietitian", "Professional Dietitian", and "Dietitian" are protected by law. Only qualified practitioners who have met education qualifications can use the title.
- "Nutritionist" is not a protected title which means, in some provinces, anyone can call themselves a nutritionist. However, some Dietitians will refer to themselves as nutritionists.
- Dietitians who have met national standards for education and training and who are members of the provincial regulatory bodies can use one of the following designations -- RD, PDt or RDt (or the French equivalent Dt.P.).
- Dietitians are members of a provincially regulated profession that has Public Protection as their mandate.
- Dietitians are held accountable for their conduct and the care they provide.
- Dietitians may work in the community setting, health care, hospitals or private practice clinics.
- Only Dietitians are qualified to work in a hospital or health care institution and can provide clinical care of patients.
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