Welcome to the Alabama Dietetic Assocation
The Alabama Dietetic Association (ALDA) is an affiliate of the American Dietetic Association. This professional organization is an advocate of the dietetics profession whose mission is to promote optimal nutrition, health and well-being. The membership consists of over 900 nutrition professionals residing in the state of Alabama. These professionals are nutrition experts consisting of Registered Dietitians (RD) and Dietetic Technicians (DTR). The Alabama Dietetics/Nutrition Practice Act of 1989 was passed by the Legislature of Alabama requiring state licensure for all individuals practicing in the field of nutrition and dietetics. State licensure credentials are noted by the LD designation (Jane Smith, RD, LD).
Registered Dietitians (RD) are food and nutrition experts who have met the following criteria to earn the RD credential.
- Completed a minimum of a bachelor's degree at an accredited university or college offering course work approved by the Commission on Accreditation/Approval for Dietetics Education of The American Dietetic Association.
- Completed an accredited/approved supervised practice program at a healthcare facility, community agency, or a foodservice corporation or combined with undergraduate or graduate studies.
- Passed a national examination administered by the Commission on Dietetic Registration.
- Completed continuing professional educational requirements to maintain registration.
Advanced Practice Board Certification
- Fellows of The American Dietetic Association (FADA) are registered dietitians with advanced education and experience, who have, throughout their careers, developed exceptional professional achievement and expertise. Fellows have successfully demonstrated the necessary requirements for certification through a peer-reviewed portfolio assessment. These individuals have attained the highest level of certification awarded by The Commission on Dietetic Registration and are awarded the FADA designation.
- Board Certified Specialist in Pediatric Nutrition (CSP) works with healthy and/or ill children up to age 18, as well as children with special health care needs, or in education, research, or management practice related to pediatric nutrition. Specialty certification recognized that these registered dietitians have demonstrated achievement and leadership in pediatric nutrition. These dietitians are awarded the CSP designation.
- Board Certified Specialist in Renal Nutrition (CSR) work directly with adults and/or children with acute chronic renal dysfunction or failure, under the treatment by kidney transplantation, dialysis, or other modalities OR work in education, research, or management practice related to renal nutrition. Specialty certification recognizes that these registered dietitians have demonstrated achievement and leadership in renal nutrition and is noted by the CSR designation.
Board Certified Specialists in Alabama
Registered Dietetic Technicians (DTR) are trained in food and nutrition and are an integral part of health care and foodservice management teams. Individuals displaying the DTR credential have met the following criteria:
- Completed at least a two-year associate's degree at a accredited college or university.
- Completed a dietetic technician program approved by the CAADE of the American Dietetic Association including 450 hours of supervised practice experience in various community, healthcare and foodservice facilities.
- Passed a national, written examination administered by the Commission on Dietetic Registration.
- Completed continuing professional educational requirements to maintain registration.
Requirements for Licensure
Individuals requesting licensure from the State of Alabama must pass an examination under the guidance of the Commission of Dietetic Registration and meet educational and professional experiences outlined by the Alabama Board of Examiners for Dietetics/Nutrition Practice. Each licensed dietitian is required to submit evidence of 30 CEU hours every 2 years. General fees are as follows:
| Licensure application fee* - $ 75 |
| License for 2 year period (duration Sept - Sept)*- $125 |
| Initial Total Fees - $200 |
| Renewal Fees - $125 |
*New graduates can apply for a temporary license for 1 year for the initial fee of $75 and an additional $62.50 fee. Fees for new residents etc. are prorated to the state licensing period.
All request for further information and applications for licensure to:
The Alabama Board of Examiners for Dietetics/Nutrition Practice
4200 N. Lamar, Suite 101
Montgomery, AL
Tel. 334-242-4505
Find-a-Dietitian
Registered Dietitians offering a variety of consumer and professional services may be located through the American Dietetic Association's "Find-A-Dietitian" Web site.
Locate dietitians in Alabama providing consulting services through the ADA Dietetics Practice Group - Consultant Dietitians in Health Care Facilities web site www.cdhcf.org.
Programs & Speakers
Rev It Up! Weight Management Program - Rev It Up! is an innovative, user-friendly nine week weight management program. If you are looking for a turn-key program that provides you with everything you need to market, promote, and teach a successful weight management class series, this is it! The one time fee ($495) includes advertising and pricing guidelines, complete instructor class outlines, colorful PowerPoint presentations for each class (over 250 total!), client handouts, 150 page manual and separate 3 month journal for printing (unlimited), maintenance guidelines, an on-going website discussion board exclusively for alumni and providers, and more! For more details, contact Tammy Beasley, RD, LD, CEDSN at 256-682-2301 or www.revitupfitness.com.
Self-Study Continuing Education Program - "Feeding: A Priority for Dietetics Professionals." This program is approved for 4 clock hours by CDR. The program consists of a 3 part DVD and workbook which covers feeding development and problems of infants and children with special health care needs. The DVD lasts 85 minutes but is divided into three parts and includes a lecture on feeding problems and videos of infants and children from Early Intervention programs, clinics and intervention programs. In the final module there are case studies and review questions. For more information contact Harriet Cloud, MS, RD, FADA at hclouds@bellsouth.net or call 205-871-0582. Further information: http://www.NutritionMatters.us. This program also allows easy use for a district meetings providing 4 clock hours of credit.
Way To Go Kids! A fun Nutrition and Fitness Program for overweight kids ages 9-14. Eight complete lessons plus 3 parent sessions, detailed exercise program, complete setup information, reproducible handouts for kids - make unlimited copies. No manuals to buy. One time purchase fee. Call Linda Steakley, MS, RD at (256) 880-6828 for an information kit.