Nutritionist & Dietitian Continuing Education Units/Credits CEU CE

Continuing Education Credits (CE) or Continuing Education Units (CEU) are units of credit that reflect a necessary number of hours of participation in accredited education programs for professionals who hold licenses in nutrition and dietetics. Registered dietitians, dietetic technicians, certified nutritionists including clinical nutritionist, sports nutritionists, fitness nutritionists and more are generally required to participate in continuing education programs for a required number of credit-hours every year in order to keep their certification or license. The amount of continuing education required to maintain certification varies certification agency, as well as by state and nationality.

A CEU provides a record of professional development, to maintain the standards set about for each organization and to ensure that all members of that organization are up to date regarding their knowledge, skills and practice methods. Another reason for CEU’s is to ensure that all nutritionists and dietitians practicing across the country and around the world are working within the same standards as all the others. In this way, continuing education can work to ensure the ongoing integrity of each professional organization.

What Is The Definition Of A Continuing Education Unit?

The International Association for Continuing Education & Training (IACET), the national authority on continuing education for hundreds of certification and licensing organizations, defines one continuing education unit as:

• 10 contact hours of participation in an organized continuing education experience under responsible sponsorship, capable direction, and qualified instruction.

Where Can I Complete Nutritionist & Dietitian CEU’s?

There are an abundance of colleges and universities offering courses that qualify as continuing education units. Those who are a member of an organization that provides certification or licenses to their members should check with the organization’s website to find out the standards specific to that group. Continuing education can be earned both at campus locations and online, depending on the course.

All continuing education courses for these programs are designed and reviewed by registered dietitians, certified nutritionists and other professionals with advanced degrees and significant clinical experience in the nutrition field. All programs and courses are constantly reviewed and updated annually to include new research.

A list of certified and licensed nutrition professionals who are required to complete continuing education credits to maintain their certification to practice within their chosen organization follows:

• Registered Dietitians/Registered Dietetic Technicians
• Certified Diabetes Educators
• Certified Dietary Managers
• Certified in Family and Consumer Science (formerly Certified Home Economists)
• School Nutrition Association (SNA)
• State-licensed Dietitians
• Certified Clinical Nutritionists
• Certified Sports Nutritionists
• Certified Health Education Specialists Additional organizations are listed below:
• American Council on Exercise (ACE)
• American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM)
• Board of Certification (BOC)
• National Strength & Conditioning Association Certification Commission (NSCA-CC):
• Associated Bodywork and Massage Professionals (ABMP)

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