What You Need to Know About New Regulations for Registered Dietitians

by | Mar 22, 2023 | Food Service Staffing

Last updated on June 15th, 2023

The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid (CMS) require every long-term care community to have a registered dietitian (RD) as part of their interdisciplinary care team. Registered dietitians bring a lot to the table! More than nutrition educators; registered dietitians help create improved meal plans and programs for residents and their families. They’re also an essential part of creating an enhanced experience within your community, mainly because of their ability to attend to the unique health needs of residents and extensive training on proper nutrition standards. Our research also shows that the more involved and engaged a registered dietitian is, the higher the resident’s satisfaction.

However, changes to the regulations for becoming a registered dietitian are coming in 2024. The Commission on Dietetic Registration (CDR) and the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics (AND) have provided new guidelines on what qualifies a person to take the national registered dietitian exam.

We’ve outlined the basics, but you can find more information on the CDR’s website.

 

What’s changing?

The main change the CDR and the AND are implementing relates to education. Currently, registered dietitian candidates must only have a bachelor’s degree to sit for the certification exam. In 2024, this requirement is increasing to a master’s degree or higher for new candidates to sit for the certification exam. The graduate degree can be in any field, related to dietetics or not. However, a degree that focuses on nutrition science is the most common. Other options include psychology, physiology, and culinary arts, each of which is beneficial to a registered dietitian’s practice.

If a dietitian has already taken and passed the exam, they’re exempt from the changes. So if you already have a registered dietitian on staff, you won’t have to worry about investing in any additional certifications for them to stay in compliance with federal regulations. Candidates that qualify for the exam that are eligible as of December 31, 2023, are grandfathered into the graduate degree changes that take effect next year.

The education and degree requirements are the only new changes being implemented in the certification process. Anything related to clinical/practice hours or the exam stays the same.

 

When will the changes go into action?

Changes are effective immediately after January 1, 2024, which leaves those looking to transition into a registered dietitian position plenty of time to plan.

 

Why are these changes needed?

Although the changes will impact who is eligible to become a registered dietitian, they serve a valuable purpose in ensuring that future RDs have the proper knowledge and training needed to work with a person’s nutritional health. The CDR outlined several reasons for adjusting the entry-level registration eligibility, which include:

  • To stay in line with healthcare best practices. As technology evolves and the medical community learns more about how good nutrition can help people of all ages, standards must evolve too. Unlike a master’s or doctoral program, many bachelor’s degree programs may not offer the high-level coursework required for patient care requirements.
  • To keep up with industry standards. Most mid-level healthcare positions, such as a nurse midwife, nurse practitioner, or physician’s assistant, require a master’s degree to become licensed. Increasing the education requirements puts registered dietitians on the same level as other health professionals, making them primary members of a treatment team rather than an assistant.

Overall, each reason cited by the CDR is based on their belief that increasing the education requirements are “necessary to protect the public, remain competitive, and increase recognition and respect.”

 

How will this impact a Registered Dietitian’s compensation?

As research continues to show that holistic health practices and principles – specifically those related to nutrition – benefit older adults’ health, the need for qualified positions like registered dietitians and other nutrition staff will skyrocket. The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) predicts a 7% growth rate for dietitians and nutritionists in the workforce (around 5,600 jobs per year) between 2020-2030.

In 2021, the BLS also reported an average salary for an RD as $61,650 ($29.64 per hour).

However, their statistics aren’t solely based on registered dietitians. The 2021 Compensation & Benefits Survey of the Dietetics Profession from the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics states the average salary is $70,000 for all participants. The study included both part-time and full-time positions, with the highest-paid (90th percentile) registered dietitians making, on average, $114,000 and the lowest 10th percentile making $52,000.

Between the increased demand for registered dietitians and research showing a correlation between higher salaries and master’s degrees, these changes will undoubtedly affect the amount RDs are paid in all settings. It’s important to keep this in mind as you budget for hiring an registered dietitian in 2024.

 

How do I recruit new Registered Dietitians for my community?

Finding the proper nutrition staff for your long-term care facility takes more effort than you realize. When searching for a registered dietitian that would serve your community best, the new education recommendations may impact your hiring process. You might wonder, is there a cost-effective way to get the professional nutrition staff you need?

At Culinary Services Group, we offer customized food management service plans that work with your budget. We can help you to staff your facility with an RD and other nutrition staff, taking that responsibility off your plate. Contact us here to learn more.