Certified Nutritionist vs. Registered Dietitian: Comparing Roles

Editor’s Note: This post was published in November 2019 and has recently been updated and revised for accuracy and comprehensiveness. 
Although nutrition-related career titles may sound similar, they can be very different when it comes to educational requirements, job duties, and typical workplaces. 
The two most common designations in the field are certified nutritionist and registered dietician. There are some obvious points of overlap, such as providing advice on food and nutrition, but in other ways, each is a distinct career path. Let’s look at certified nutritionist vs. registered dietitian.