Assisted Living Facilities: Tips on Finding a Qualified **Dietitian

• wellness classes or other nutrition programs for ALF staff;
• developing or analyzing menus;
• addressing the needs of a resident with particular medical conditions; or
• helping you to assess the nutrition of your current menus and recipes.

Questions to ask a dietitian before you work with one (What do the different job titles and credentials mean?)

• Are you licensed to practice by Maryland? In Maryland, a dietitian must be licensed by the State Board of Dietetic Practice in order to practice.
  • To verify that a dietitian is licensed, look on the left of the screen. Scroll down and click on “License Verification”. The listing includes all dietitian-nutritionists currently licensed in the state.
  • There are some exceptions for students, trainees and individuals who are working as aides under a licensed dietitian.
• What type of practice specialty do you have? Dietitians specialize in different areas. There are three areas that will be of interest to an ALF operator:
  • Clinical dietitian – The majority of dietitians are clinical (sometimes called therapeutic) dietitians. Clinical dietitians review medical charts and develop individualized nutrition plans. They can also talk with the families of residents or trained staff.
  • Food service dietitians specialize in large scale food planning, including the assessment and planning of food programs for health care facilities (usually larger than a small ALF).
  • Gerontological dietitians specialize in nutrition and aging. The person must be Board certified in Gerontological Nutrition with the American Dietetic Association

Understanding the different professional job titles in this area

What is a dietitian-nutritionist?
Under Maryland state law the title “dietitian-nutritionist" means any individual who is licensed by the Board to practice dietetics. MD Code - Health Occupations § 5-101

What is a “Registered Dietitian” (RD)?
RD is a credential, not a license to practice.  Being licensed in Maryland is entirely separate and distinct from being registered by the Commission on Dietetic Registration.  It is possible to be a “Registered Dietitian” but not be licensed by Maryland. In order to practice dietetics in Maryland, an individual must be licensed in Maryland. Dietitians can only use the label "Registered Dietitian" when they have met strict educational and experience standards and have passed a national registration examination. 

What is a dietetic technician, registered (DTR)?
Compared to dietitians, dietetic technicians have different levels, responsibilities and qualifications. In order to use the designation DTR, the person must have met certain standards and training. Most DTRs work in company or institutional settings and do not work as independent consultants.

What is a nutritionist ?
In many states the term is not regulated and anyone can call himself or herself a “nutritionist”. In Maryland there are training and testing requirements.  An individual must be licensed by the MD Board of Dietetic Practice in order to be a nutritionist in this state.  MD Code - Health Occupations 5-401.

• Some “Registered Dietitians” or “Dietetic Technicians, Registered” call themselves nutritionists.
• In Maryland, state law says that a “certified nutrition specialist" means that an individual has been certified by the Certification Board for Nutrition Specialists (CBNS) MD Code – Health Occupations 5-101(c). In Maryland, a person who holds a license may have this credential rather than the “Registered Dietitian” credential.
• The Certification Board for Nutrition Specialists (CBNS) offers credentials on behalf of the American College of Nutrition. The website describes the training and education needed to become a “certified nutrition specialist". Some physicians have also obtained the certification from the CBNS. Anyone who has earned the credential has the right to use the initials “CNS” after their name.
• The law noted above does not restrict consultants who wish to provide the following services:
  • help with purchasing, preparing or serving food to groups of people or
  • providing non-medical nutritional information. See MD Code - Health Occupations 5-103

How do I find a dietitian?

• On-line directory of registered dietitians - The American Dietetic Association offers a comprehensive directory. You must click on “I accept” at the bottom of the disclaimer in order to access the search page for the directory. Note that this directory only includes those who are registered dietitians.  It does not include "dietitian-nutritionists" licensed in Maryland based, in part, on nutritionist credentials.
• You can ask other operators.
• The Maryland Board of Dietetic Practice sells a comprehensive list of the 1,400 dietitian-nutritionists practicing in Maryland. You must submit your request in writing with a $75 check made payable to the Board of Dietetic Practice. The address and phone number for the Board is at the bottom of their contact information page.  Each directory entry will include the following information for each active member: the dietitian's name, address, whether that dietitian is active, and the dietitian's license number.  

How do I to file a complaint against a dietitian or nutritionist in Maryland? The Maryland Board of Dietetic Practice is the licensing authority for dietitians and nutritionists in Maryland. You can get information on filing a complaint by selecting three topics on the left side of their website.

Note: In Maryland, it is a misdemeanor to practice dietetics and use certain job titles or designations unless the person is licensed by the state. Only Maryland licensed dietitians may use these titles: "dietitian-nutritionist", "licensed dietitian-nutritionist", "LDN", "dietitian", "licensed dietitian", "D", "LD", "nutritionist", "licensed nutritionist", or "LN". See MD Code – Health Occupations § 5-402(b) and 5-403.

**The spelling "dietitian" is used by the Maryland Code and by the Board of Dietetic Practice. The spelling, "Dietician", is also commonly used.