Dietician Certificate

By an allied health world contributing writer
Published: January, 12 2010

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Can a dietitian obtain a specialty certification?

Some dietitians choose to specialize in a certain area of dietetic practice. While these individuals don’t always make better salaries than those without a special emphasis, it helps make them more credible to their patients. If a dietitian works with diabetic patients frequently, it helps increase their credibility by being certified as a diabetes educator. Dietitians are not the only individuals who are able to obtain these additional certifications. Nurses, physicians, pharmacists, physical therapists, and athletic trainers, and even social workers may find having these extra credentials beneficial as well. Below are the various specialty dietitian certifications a dietitian may elect to focus on.

Board Certified Specialist in Gerontological Nutrition (CSG) Individuals eligible to sit for the CSG include those who have been registered dietitians for a minimum of two years and have documented 2,000 hours working as an RD in the area of gerontological nutrition within the past five years. The examination fee for this test is $250.

Board Certified Specialist in Sports Dietetics (CSSD) Individuals eligible to sit for the CSSD include those who have been registered dietitians for a minimum of two years and have documented 1,500 hours working as an RD in the area of sports nutrition. The examination fee for this test is $250.
Board Certified Specialist in Pediatric Nutrition (CSP) Individuals eligible to sit for the CSP include those who have been registered dietitians for a minimum of two years and have documented 2,000 hours working as an RD in the area of pediatric nutrition. The examination fee for this test is $250.
Board Certified Specialist in Renal Nutrition (CSR) Individuals eligible to sit for the CSR include those who have been registered dietitians for a minimum of two years and have documented 2,000 hours working as an RD in the area of renal nutrition. The examination fee for this test is $250.
Board Certified Specialist in Oncology Nutrition (CSO) Individuals eligible to sit for the CSO include those who have been registered dietitians for a minimum of two years and have documented 2,000 hours working as an RD in the area of oncology nutrition. The examination fee for this test is $250.
Certified Diabetes Educator (CDE) To be eligible for the CDE board exam you have to work in the field of diabetes for a minimum of two years and you have to have logged a thousand hours. There is not a specific class required but there are classes offered to help prepare for the CDE board exam.