How to become a dietitian or nutritionist
Official title: Dietitians and nutritionists
Also called: Dietitian, Nutritionist, Clinical dietitian, Research dietitian, Community dietitian, Consultant dietitian, Clinical nutritionist, Research nutritionist, Therapeutic dietitian, Community nutritionist, Dietitian-nutritionist, Consultant nutritionist
Dietitians and nutritionists assess nutrition related issues of individuals and groups and develop, implement and evaluate nutrition care plans to prevent, treat and manage disease. They manage food and nutrition service systems, and plan health promotion programs. They are employed in a variety of settings including hospitals, home health-care agencies and extended care facilities, community health centres, the food, beverage and pharmaceutical industries, educational institutions, and government and sports organizations, or they may work as private consultants.
Main tasks
- Develop, implement and evaluate nutrition programs and services for individuals, communities and populations
- Manage food service systems in hospitals, long-term care facilities, schools, privately owned-food service outlets or similar settings
- Provide nutrition guidance, label interpretation and consultation services to health professionals, individuals, dietetic interns, community groups, government and the media
- Evaluate nutritional status of individuals and aid in the prevention and/or treatment of inadequate nutrition
- Plan, evaluate and conduct nutrition education programs and develop educational materials for various audiences
- Practice on an individual basis or as a member of an interdisciplinary team to determine nutritional needs of patients and to plan, implement and evaluate normal and therapeutic diets to maintain and enhance general health
- Analyze current scientific nutritional studies, conduct research and evaluate program effectiveness to improve the nutritional value, taste, appearance and preparation of food
- Work within industry in the development, testing and evaluation, and marketing of food and nutrition products or as a company representative supplying product related information to health professionals
How to become one
Dietitians require a bachelor's degree in dietetics, nutrition or a related field such as food and nutritional science from a program accredited by the Partnership for Dietetic Education and Practice (PDEP), and a period of supervised practical training. Successful completion of the Canadian Dietetic Registration Exam (CDRE) is required in all provinces except Quebec. Registration with a regulatory body is required in all provinces for dietitians. Membership in the national association, Dietitians of Canada, is voluntary. Registration with a regulatory body is required for nutritionists in Nova Scotia, Quebec and Alberta. In the remaining provinces, nutritionists may require the same education and practical training as dietitians. Membership with the national association, Dietitians of Canada, and/or a provincial regulatory body is available for nutritionists who have the same education and practical training as dietitians.
Ways in
- University: Allied Health degrees, Offered by 9 universities in Canada
- Licence or registration: Registration with a regulatory body is required in all provinces for dietitians. Registration with a regulatory body is required for nutritionists in Nova Scotia, Quebec and Alberta. In the remaining provinces, nutritionists may require the same education and practical training as dietitians. Membership with the national association, Dietitians of Canada, and/or a provincial regulatory body is available for nutritionists who have the same education and practical training as dietitians.
Pay · Outlook
- Median pay: $81,179 a year The middle half earn $67,002 to $92,138.
- About 12,300 people worked in this job in 2023, and about 15,200 are projected by 2033. (+23.6%)
- Projected labour market to 2033: strong risk of shortage.
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Questions people ask
How do I become a dietitian or nutritionist?
Dietitians require a bachelor's degree in dietetics, nutrition or a related field such as food and nutritional science from a program accredited by the Partnership for Dietetic Education and Practice (PDEP), and a period of supervised practical training. Successful completion of the Canadian Dietetic Registration Exam (CDRE) is required in all provinces except Quebec. Registration with a regulatory body is required in all provinces for dietitians. Membership in the national association, Dietitians of Canada, is voluntary. Registration with a regulatory body is required for nutritionists in Nova Scotia, Quebec and Alberta. In the remaining provinces, nutritionists may require the same education and practical training as dietitians. Membership with the national association, Dietitians of Canada, and/or a provincial regulatory body is available for nutritionists who have the same education and practical training as dietitians.
How much does a dietitian or nutritionist earn in Canada?
Median full-time pay is $81,179 a year (Employment and Social Development Canada (Job Bank)). The middle half earn $67,002 to $92,138.
Is a dietitian or nutritionist a growing career in Canada?
Yes. Employment is projected to grow 24% by 2033, from about 12,300 to about 15,200 people (Employment and Social Development Canada).
Do you need a degree to become a dietitian or nutritionist?
Usually. 90% of people in this job hold a bachelor's degree or higher.
Sources
- Statistics Canada: Census 2021: employment by occupation, gender and education (98-10-0449) (2021 Census), Statistics Canada Open Licence, retrieved 2026-10-03
- Statistics Canada: National Occupational Classification (NOC) 2021 (Version 1.0), Open Government Licence - Canada, retrieved 2026-10-03
- Employment and Social Development Canada: Canadian Occupational Projection System (COPS) (2024 to 2033), Open Government Licence - Canada, retrieved 2026-10-03
- Employment and Social Development Canada (Job Bank): Wages by occupation (2025 (revised 2025-11-19)), Open Government Licence - Canada, retrieved 2026-10-03
Updated 2026-10-03