# Titles and registers: who is a dietitian

Lesson 1 of [Choosing a dietitian: credentials, visits and cost](https://dietitians.fyi/academy/choosing-a-dietitian-foundations.md), 15 minutes.

Dietitian titles are regulated in many places, with different rules by country. A nutritionist may or may not be. The titles are not interchangeable.

## The titles and credentials

In the United States, the dietitian title is regulated by each state's licence rules, which differ. The Commission on Dietetic Registration (CDR) issues the Registered Dietitian (RD) credential. Since 2013, registrants can also use Registered Dietitian Nutritionist (RDN). CDR says both titles refer to the same credential. To hold it, a person completes an approved education program, a supervised practice period and a registration examination, then renews every five years with continuing education.

In the United Kingdom, dietitians register with the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC). The HCPC register confirms who is registered and shows registration status.

In Canada, Dietitians of Canada runs a member directory of regulated dietitians. Registration itself sits with provincial regulatory colleges.

In Australia, Accredited Practising Dietitian (APD) is a professional credential from Dietitians Australia, not government registration, and Australia has no statutory register for dietitians. Their Find a Dietitian tool lists APDs.

In Ireland, dietitians register with CORU, the Dietitians Registration Board (coru.ie).

## Why the difference matters

The Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, the US professional body behind eatright.org, maintains the Find a Nutrition Expert tool for credentialed RD/RDN and NDTR/DTR practitioners. A practice can employ both regulated and unregulated staff. What matters is the title of the person you will actually see, and their registration status on the day you book.

## What a clean check proves

A current registration proves the person met the training, supervised practice and exam requirements and keeps them current. It does not prove availability, price, specialty fit or good fit for you. A directory listing is a record, not an endorsement, and registration status can change after a check date.

## Sources

- Commission on Dietetic Registration: https://www.cdrnet.org/rdn
- Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, Find a Nutrition Expert: https://www.eatright.org/find-a-nutrition-expert
- HCPC, Check the Register: https://www.hcpc-uk.org/check-the-register/
- Dietitians of Canada, Find a Dietitian: https://www.dietitians.ca/find-a-dietitian
- Dietitians Australia, Find a Dietitian: https://www.dietitiansaustralia.org.au/find-an-apd/
- CORU, Dietitians Registration Board: https://www.coru.ie

Also on the [web page](https://dietitians.fyi/academy/choosing-a-dietitian-foundations/titles-and-registers).