Protected Titles
The protected titles that each regulated health profession is given in legislation (the Health Professions Act) indicate to consumers that the health care provider is regulated by, and accountable to a College to practice in accordance with the codes and standards established.
The public can recognize a food and nutrition professional who is regulated by the College of Dietitians of Alberta by looking for these protected titles and initials:
- Registered Dietitian
- Registered Nutritionist
- RD
- Dietitian
- Nutritionist *
- Provisional Dietitian *
- Dietetic Intern *
In accordance with provincial law, registration with the College is mandatory to use any of the above titles. Registered Dietitians and Registered Nutritionists have the same education and training and may choose to use either title as regulated members of the College.
The Health Professions Act also protects the use of the words: college, registered, regulated and regulated health professional. Only regulated members of colleges under the Health Professions Act may use these titles.
These titles are the consumer’s assurance that they are dealing with professionals who have met the strict standards for registration with the College. Anyone using these titles must be a regulated member of the College and may be subject to fines for inappropriate use of the titles. It is every regulated member’s responsibility to protect the integrity of the profession by reporting title misuse to the College by email.
The public and employers are encouraged to verify that an individual is a regulated member of the College of Dietitians of Alberta. To ensure that an individual is registered, you may ask to see their practice permit, you may verify their registration online by referring to the Public Register or you may contact the College.
* Effective May 2016, the Alberta Government amended Part 10 of the Health Professions Act that added “Nutritionist”, “Provisional Dietitian” and “Dietetic Intern” as protected titles of the College.