Guidelines for Credential Placement
Professional Credential
When using your credential you must follow the guidelines:
The recommended order of listed credentials for Registered Dietitians (RD) or Registered Dietitian Nutritionist (RDN)* is:
- graduate academic degree
- RD or RDN
- specialty certifications with the Commission on Dietetic Registration (e.g. CSG, CSO, CSP, CSSD, CSR)
- licensure designation
- other certifications (e.g. CDE, CNS, etc)
- Fellow of the American Dietetic Association (FADA)
The recommended order of listed credentials for Registered Dietitians (RD) or Registered Dietitian Nutritionist (RDN) with the CDR Advanced Practice Certification in Clinical Nutrition is:
graduate academic degree, RD-AP**, or RDN-AP** specialty certifications with the Commission on Dietetic Registration (e.g. CSG, CSO, CSP, CSSD, CSR), licensure designation, other certifications (e.g. CDE, CNS, etc), Fellow of the American Dietetic Association (FADA).
Examples of proper and improper use:
Improper UseK. Bolek, MS, RD, LD, CSP, FAND, CDE E. White, RD-AP, CSP, MS, LD, CDE, FAND J. Jones, CSG, RDN S. Smith, RD, MS, CSO A. Allen, RDN, LD, CSSD, CDE J. Johnson, RD, FAND, CSR R. French, RDN, MS, CSP, FAND, LDN E. Jacob, MS, RD, LDN, CSG |
Proper UseK. Bolek, MS, RD, CSP, LD, CDE, FAND E. White, MS, RD-AP, CSP, LD, CDE, FAND J. Jones, RDN, CSG S. Smith, MS, RD, CSO A. Allen, RDN, CSSD, LD, CDE J. Johnson, RD, CSR, FAND R. French, MS, RDN, CSP, LDN, FAND E. Jacob, MS, RD, CSG, LDN |
Verbal or Written Text
When referring to your certification status in written text or verbally, the phrase to be used is Registered Dietitian or Registered Dietitian Nutritionist.
For example:
An introduction of a speaker might read: Ann Apple is a registered dietitian.
An introduction of a speaker might read: Ann Apple is a registered dietitian nutritionist.
When referring to your CDR advanced practice certification in clinical nutrition status in written text or verbally, the phrase to be used is Advanced Practice Certification in Clinical Nutrition.
For example:
An introduction of a speaker might read: Ann Apple is a registered dietitian who has obtained the Advanced Practice Certification in Clinical Nutrition.
For example:
An introduction of a speaker might read: Ann Apple is a registered dietitian nutritionist who has obtained the Advanced Practice Certification in Clinical Nutrition.
When referring to your Fellow status in written text or verbally, the phrase to be used is Fellow of the American Dietetic Association.
For example:
An introduction of a speaker might read: Ann Apple is a registered dietitian who is a Fellow of the American Dietetic Association
An introduction of a speaker might read: Ann Apple is a registered dietitian nutritionist who is a Fellow of the American Dietetic Association
A resume might include (Special Qualifications):
- Registered Dietitian
- Registered Dietitian Nutritionist
- Dietetic Technician, Registered
- Nutrition and Dietetics Technician, Registered
- Board Certified as a Specialist in Gerontological Nutrition
Questions regarding the use of the certifications should be directed to CDR 1-800/877-1600, ext. 5500 or cdr@eatright.org.
*Please note the RDN and RD are two credential designation options for one certification program. Practitioners may choose to use one or the other. For more information, click here.
**Please note the RDN-AP and RD-AP are two credential designation options for one certification program. Practitioners may choose to use one or the other. For more information, click here.