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  • Home
  • Guidelines for Credential Placement

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, CSOWM, CSP, CSPCC, 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 practitioner 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, CSOWM, CSP, CSPCC, 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 Use

K. 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 Use

K. 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 practitioner certification in clinical nutrition. 

For example:
An introduction of a speaker might read:  Ann Apple is a registered dietitian who has obtained the advanced practitioner certification in clinical nutrition. 

An introduction of a speaker might read:  Ann Apple is a registered dietitian nutritionist who has obtained the advanced practitioner certification in clinical nutrition.

 

When referring to your CDR specialist certification status in written text or verbally, the phrases to be used are board certified specialist in gerontological nutrition,  board certified specialist in oncology nutrition, board certified specialist in obesity and weight management, board certified specialist in pediatric nutrition, board certified specialist in pediatric critical care nutrition, board certified specialist in renal nutrition, or board certified specialist in sports dietetics.

For example:
An introduction of a speaker might read:  Ann Apple is a registered dietitian who is a board certified specialist in oncology nutrition. 
An introduction of a speaker might read:  Ann Apple is a registered dietitian nutritionist who is a board certified specialist in sports dietetics.


When referring to your CDR 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 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.