Main Areas of Nutritional Specialization In Florida
As a nutritionist in the state of Florida, you may specialize in a wide variety of fields, including public health, research, teaching, community nutrition, nutrition education, nutrition counseling or sales. If you have a dietetic background, you may also specialize in food service or clinical dietetics.
Educational Requirements
To become a certified nutritionist in Florida, you need to have a bachelor’s degree in dietetics or nutrition. Additionally, it is recommended to have work experience or an internship in this area. If you wish to become a professor at the University level, a graduate degree is mandatory.
Work Environment
As a nutritionist, you can work for local, state and national government agencies, including but not limited to world health agencies, cooperative extension services, schools, health care facilities, fitness centers, food-related industries, spas, and the list goes on. You can even work as a self-employed dietitian!
Facts & Predictions
A couple of years ago, the number of nutritionists and dietitians in Florida exceeded 2,400. Experts believe that by 2016 this number will grow to exceed 2,900 nutritionists, with an average growth rate of 1.9%.
Obtaining Florida Dietitian Certification
In the State of Florida, people who want to become nutritionists need to have a licensure of dietitian or nutritionist regulated by the Dietetics and Nutrition Practice Council. As an accredited nutritionist, you need one of the following credentials – LD or LD/N. State licensure with this credentials require at least 30 hours of continuing education every two years. Out of these 30 CEUs, you will have to take part in the following courses:
- Risk management, educational techniques and personal growth: a few courses totaling a maximum of 10 hours.
- Home study courses: you will need to study from the comfort of your home for up to 15 hours.
- Medical errors: you need an extra couple of Continuing Education hours for obtaining licensure and for renewing it.
Florida Dietitian/Nutritionist Wage
As a Registered Dietitian/Nutritionist in Florida, you can get approximately $30. Six years ago, in 2009, the median hourly wage was $28.76.