By Reed Mangels, PhD, RDN
What’s the difference between an RD and an RDN?
A jokester might reply, “the letter N.” Actually, that is the only difference. RD and RDN are both abbreviations for a credentialed nutrition professional. They have identical meanings and legal trademark definitions. RD, the title that has been around longer, stands for Registered Dietitian. RDN, a somewhat newer designation stands for Registered Dietitian Nutritionist.
According to the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics (an organization of food and nutrition professionals), the RDN credential was established to “more accurately reflect to consumers who registered dietitians are and what they do.” The intent was to emphasize that “all registered dietitians are nutritionists but not all nutritionists are registered dietitians.”
RDs and RDNS must complete specialized training and pass a comprehensive exam. In contrast, someone calling themself a nutritionist may or may not have formal training. Nutritionist is a title anyone can use, even someone who has watched a couple of videos about cooking.
To learn more about RDs/RDNS see: Become a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist