Pakistan Nutrition and Dietetic Society | How to become RDN?
466
page-template-default,page,page-id-466,page-parent,ajax_leftright,page_not_loaded,,footer_responsive_adv,hide_top_bar_on_mobile_header,qode-theme-ver-16.6,qode-theme-pnds,wpb-js-composer js-comp-ver-5.4.5,vc_responsive
 

How to become RDN?

With the growing public interest in food and nutrition and its role in preventing and managing chronic diseases and obesity, the demand for Dietitians and Nutritionists is expected to increase. PNDS Registered Dietitian/Nutritionists are qualified food and nutrition experts who have met specific criteria to earn RDN credentials.

How to become a Registered Dietitian/Nutritionist?

Below is an overview of the requirements to become a PNDS Registered Dietitian/Nutritionist.

Eligibility Criteria

1. Regular Life Member(Completing An HEC Accredited Nutrition and Dietetic Program)

To be eligible to become a Registered Dietitian/Nutritionist you must complete a university-level dietetics program accredited by PNDS. All accredited dietetics programs are considered “entry-level” to the profession. Regular Membership is only for those who have completed  a minimum of a bachelor’s degree in Nutrition and Dietetics: 4-year-BS (Human Nutrition) OR MSc (4-year) Home Economics with specialization in Foods & Nutrition.

(Please note that there are numerous nutrition study programs available at that are not eligible for accreditation with PNDS/Recognized by Higher Education Commission(HEC). Completing such a program will not provide you with eligibility to become PNDS accredited Dietitian/Nutritionist)

2. Completed Basic Internship Or Training Requirement

To become a Registered Dietitian/Nutritionist you must complete at a supervised practice/training/internship at the health-care facility, community agency or any other institute/ organization during or after studies.

Clinical Dietitians
At least one year  practice in a clinical setting

Public Health Nutritionists
At least one year months practice in a public health setting or teaching foods & nutrition in a post-secondary teaching Institute

3. Registration Exam

Based on the guidelines provided by the Pakistan Accreditation of Nutrition and Dietetic Professionals (PANAP), PNDS has developed a registration exam to certify practicing dietitians and nutritionists.The Exam is held every year. Applicants not fulfilling the specified degree criteria may be eligible if they can provide satisfactory evidence that they have acquired all the required competencies through an accredited degree program with supervised training under Registered Dietitians/Nutritionists.Those who pass the Exam are certified as PNDS Registered Nutritionist/Dietitian for a period of two years.

Renewal of Registration

Registration needs to be renewed every two years in continuity. Completed continuing professional educational requirements to maintain registration. Renewal of registration is contingent on meeting of the Continuing Nutrition Education/Professional Development criteria of 15 credit hours/2 years. At least 8 credit hours from these have to be from PNDS activities.If you are unable to maintain your credit hours or submit renewal after 2 years of your passing exam, then you will have to reappear in exam in order to renew your RDN certificatation. All educational sessions of PNDS are allotted credit hours by the Registration Committee. If a member seeks to claim credit for a non-PNDS activity they have to submit an outline describing the nature of the session, the conducting authority and proof of attendance. For more information click here http://rdn.pnds.org/renewal-of-rdn-certification/