What Does a Dietetic Technician Do?

First, earn your high school diploma or pass the equivalency exam. If you’re still in high school, taking classes in biology, chemistry, sociology and English will provide good preparation.

Then choose your training. The most common path is to earn an associate degree in nutrition or dietetics from an accredited program, such as those recommended by the Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics (ACEND). It's less common to earn a post-secondary certificate. 

You may get the choice to focus your studies on the food service route, the community route or the clinical route, if you only want to work in a healthcare setting.

All programs will include courses in nutrition, food preparation, food management, food sanitation and diet and nutrition therapy.

On-the-job training is essential for this career. Most associate degree programs require 450 hours of supervised, hands-on experience in a healthcare facility, community program or food service facility. 

Credentials are not always required but they are important for dietetic and nutrition technicians. For example, many job listings seek candidates with the dietetic technician, registered (DTR) credential. Earning that credential requires completing all courses, gaining 450 hours of experience and passing an exam given by the Commission on Dietetic Registration (CDR), which is part of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics (AND).

The requirements for licensing and certification vary by state. A good starting point is AND’s list of state rules for dietetic technicians. It’s smart to know this information before you begin classes so your education and training line up with the job you want.

Certificate programs typically last 12 months. An associate degree takes two years. Continuing education is ongoing and is required to maintain some certifications. For example, maintaining the DTR credential requires 50-75 hours of education every five years. 

Being a technician is an excellent career, and it can also be a starting point. It’s common for dietetic techs to continue their education and earn a bachelor’s degree to become a registered dietician. 

Steady, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, which predicts employment growth of about 4.7%. That works out to 2,500 job openings each year from 2021 to 2031.

Successful dietetic techs tend to share several traits. They:

• Communicate and listen well
• Understand nutrition and the principles of healthy eating and are able to translate that knowledge in simple language 
• Enjoy working with people 
• Are patient and tactful
• Are good problem-solvers and collaborators
• Have good organization skills