REQUIREMENTS FOR CERTIFICATION IN NUTRITION

Certified Eating Disorders Specialist in Nutrition (CEDSN)

Requirements and Qualifications:
An applicant will have completed a master's or doctoral degree in nutrition, exercise physiology, or health behavioral science field or doctor of medicine degree with a minimum of forty-eight (48) graduate level credits or approved equivalents in nutritional and health/behavioral science. These courses must include:

Behavioral Component: Will include a minimum of:

• Three (3) semester credits in gender issues, women's studies, multi-cultural issues, human sexuality or IAEDP- approved equivalent.
  
• Three (3) semester credits in human development.
  
• Three (3) semester credits in abnormal psychology

Skills Component: Will include a minimum of:

• Nine (9) semester hours in counseling education or IAEDP approved equivalent.
  
• Six (6) clock hours in body image, weight and food issues.
  
• Three (3) semester credits in professional practice standards and ethics or IAEDP-approved equivalent.

NOTE: Counseling education is required to foster skills in providing nutritional counseling and guidance for persons with eating disorders. It is NOT to be construed as training or authorization to provide psychotherapy or mental health counseling services

The completion of IAEDP established curriculum courses I-IV. These are:

1. Introduction to Eating Disorders Treatment
   
2. Modalities of Eating Disorders
   
3. Medical/Physiological Aspects of Eating Disorders
   
4. Nutrition and Weight Control (including "non-diet" approaches)

Applicant will be a Registered Dietitian with the American Dietetic Association. This requirement may be waived if the applicant can document equivalent training and experience from accredited and qualified sources, including the American College of Nutrition.

Typed case study not to exceed 1500 words identifying presenting problems, DSM-IV diagnoses (if available), treatment plan implemented, principal obstacles encountered, collaborative care employed, supervision/interaction with team, personal reactions to the case, case outcomes, supervision utilized and its influence on treatment.

The certification examination is based upon the provided required reading list. The exam score is valid for no more than five (5) years. If an applicant fails to pass the examination, he/she may apply to retest. A test may be taken a maximum of three (3) times. Retakes must be completed within ninety (90) days of each testing failure.

Complete a minimum of 3000 direct patient/client treatment hours under direct qualified supervision. Note:

1. IAEDP requires a minimum of one (1) hour of individual supervision or one and one half (1.5) hours group supervision (in a group not to exceed 5 persons) for each 15 patient contact hours.
   
2. Supervision will be provided by both approved mental health supervisors and nutritionists, and will emphasize the nutritional needs and overall treatment of the patient. At least one-third of supervision hours must be completed under the direct supervision of a licensed behavioral healthcare professional.
   Note carefully the definition of aN APPROVED supervisor. An approved supervisor is defined as: a professional who is not one's primary personal therapist; has a minimum of five (5) years experience treating persons with eating disorders; holds an accredited master's degree or higher in nutritional science or behavioral science fields; is licensed by his or her state licensing board; holds a CEDSN or has equivalent training and experience. A supervisor must sign a statement attesting to the forgoing.

Applicant will submit a typed statement (not to exceed 250 words) explaining why he or she would like certification i.e., how it is relevant to his or her professional goals.

Applicant will sign a statement of ethical practice principles.

Applicant will complete one (1) IAEDP Symposium, including no fewer than twenty (20) hours of attendance at workshops, seminars, keynote presentations, Professional Development Institutes (PDI's), within twenty-four (24) months prior to testing date. If unable to attend IAEDP Symposium, applicant may request authorization to utilize attendance at other eating disorder conferences to meet requirements. Applicant should submit his or her inquiry to the Certification Board for review. (Received by IAEDP no fewer than 45 days prior to the Symposium.)

Applicant must attend no fewer than one (1) IAEDP Symposium every four (4) years for purpose of maintaining continuing certification and earning a minimum of twenty (20) continuing education units (CEU's) at the Symposium.

Every two (2) years, certification must be renewed upon completion of 20 CEU's. These must be directly related to the field of eating disorders. Any questions regarding CEU's (for example, to approve credits earned at another eating disorders conference) need to be directed to the Certification Board for approval. (Received by IAEDP no fewer than 45 days prior to the Symposium.) IAEDP membership must remain current in order to maintain certification.

The IAEDP Certification Board MUST approve any changes in requirements. All requests MUST be submitted in writing.

An applicant who has been approved by the IAEDP Certification Board for this level of certification, and remains current with all requirements, may use the letters CEDSN after his or her name. For example, e.g. Jane Doe , MS , RD, CEDSN

Requirements completed for one level of certification will be applicable to the next level and need not be repeated

Order/Timing for Meeting Certification Requirements

1. The Core Curriculum must be completed before the applicant may sit for the Certified Eating Disorders Examination (CEDE).
   
2. The work experience may be accumulated at any time, before, during, or after completion of the Core Curriculum and Reading List.
   
3. If more than five years elapse between the time that an applicant passes the Written Examination and completes the remainder of the requirements (including becoming a health care professional), the applicant must take and pass the examination again.

IAEDP APPROVED ACADEMIC PROGRAMS

Overview

IAEDP accepts Eating Disorders Certificate Programs, which are offered only by regionally accredited colleges or universities. You may review the list of approved certificate programs by clicking below.

Review Approved Academic Programs

To be approved, a Certificate Program must cover certain basic knowledge and skills areas. Basic areas are as follows:

a. Core Curriculum 12 Semester Credits*
b. Behavioral Component 6 Semester Credits*
c. Skills Component 6 Semester Credits*

Total: 24 Semester Credits*
*or equivalent