nutritionist /n(y)o̅o̅trish″ənist/ [L, nutrire, to nourish] , a licensed nutritionist has earned credentials from a nationally recognized nutrition licensing body, such as the Commission on Dietetic Registration of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, the Certification Board for Nutrition Specialists, or the Clinical Nutrition Certification Board. Some states require licensure of nutritionists while others do not. Licensed nutritionists are regulated by their certification boards, as well as by the states in which they practice. Once licensed to practice in a particular state, a licensed nutritionist may legally provide nutrition counseling, nutrition services, and advice. Settings in which licensed nutritionists may work include hospitals, long-term care facilities, schools, community programs, and nonprofit organizations. A registered dietitian may be considered a licensed nutritionist, depending upon a state’s licensing laws, but not all licensed nutritionists are registered dietitians.
