To Be a Dietitian

Thank you for visiting the KDA homepage once again. Good luck and happiness to all of you.

Qualifications

  • Those who majored in food or nutrition science in any of the schools authorized by the Higher Education Act and who satisfy the requirements for the completion of curricula and credits according to the decrees of the Ministry of Health and Welfare under the Rules of Dietitians (Revised as of Jul. 27) of Article 37 of the Food Sanitation Act (Revised as of Jan. 12, 2000)
    • Department : Dietetics, Food and Nutrition, Nutrition and Food, Food Science, Dietary Life
    • Major : Sitology, Dietetics, Food & Nutrition, Nutrition Sitology (Based on School Rules under Law on Higher Education)
  • Those who obtained the qualification to apply for the dietitian's license examination by the Ministry of Health and Welfare.

National Exam for Dietitian's License

9 examination subjects and 300 questions with five multiple choices.

Subjects : Nutirition, Biochemistry, Physiology, Nutrition Education, Dietetic Therapy , Food Sanitation Law, Food Sanitation, Food Service Management, Food Science and Principles of Food Preparation

An applicant should get a total score of more than 60% in all subjects. An applicant should get a score of at least 40% in Dietetics, Dietary Treatment, Sitology and Cookery, and Feeding Service Management.

Dietitian's License

After passing the national exam, the successful candidates shall submit the related documents to the National Health Personnel Licensing Examination Board to secure the Dietitian's License from the Ministry of Health and Welfare. In addition, the required medical certificate for infectious patients, those with mental disorders, or those with substance addiction must be submitted.

Educational Institutions for Dietitian

School System No. of Schools & Students
University (4 Years) 72 Departments or Majors at 69 Schools
College (3 Years) 13 Departments or Majors at 13 Schools
College (2 Years) 48 Departments or Majors at 44 Schools
Total 133 Departments or Majors at 126 Schools

Number of Dietitians in Korea

Year 1964 ~ 1975 1980 1985 1990 1995
License Holder
(No. of Persons)
4,439 10,017 21,731 39,459 60,155
2000 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009
82,069 100,808 104,874 108,480 112,778 116,301
2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015
121,691 125,740 128,807 133,704 138,547 141,183

(As of Jan, 2015)