Many Registered Dietitians (RDs) pursue professional roles in leadership, policy, education and other non-traditional practice settings. Some of these roles involve practising the profession, while others do not. For example, when a dietitian applies their food and nutrition knowledge, skill and judgment, all or part of the role may constitute practising dietetics and may be eligible for currency hours. In contrast, a dietitian may not be practising the profession when not directly related to food, nutrition or dietetic practice.
If you have determined that you are not practising dietetics at all in your current role, you may have questions about maintaining your currency practice hours, registration and appropriate use of the RD title. The Voluntary Undertaking (VUT) option within CDO’s Quality Assurance (QA) Program provides a way to manage this.
What is a Voluntary Undertaking?
A Voluntary Undertaking (VUT) is an agreement with CDO that allows you to remain registered as an RD while not practising the profession. By signing, you agree not to practise dietetics in Ontario or with Ontario clients until the QA Committee confirms you have kept up your knowledge, skill and judgment to practise dietetics.
While on a VUT, you are exempt from certain QA requirements, including:
- Annual Self-Directed Learning (SDL) Tool
- Jurisprudence Knowledge and Assessment Tool (JKAT) every five years
- Peer and Practice Assessment (PPA) selection
You must still pay the annual registration fee and maintain the integrity and public trust associated with your RD title.
Maintaining vs. Using the RD Title
The RD title is protected by law and can only be used when practising dietetics, meaning applying food and nutrition knowledge, skills and judgment in various roles like client care, food services, research, teaching, policy or dietetic leadership. When you have signed a VUT, you maintain your registration, RD title and appear on the public register, but you are not practising the profession. The VUT is an agreement that allows you to keep using the title while not practising the profession.
What does it mean to not practise dietetics?
You are not practising dietetics if your role involves activities, without a food, nutrition or dietetic focus, such as:
- administrative or executive leadership;
- human resources or information technology; or
- non-nutrition-related risk management.
Non-practising RDs may use their title responsibly. For example:
- Adding RD to business cards or email signatures in non-practising positions.
- Identifying yourself as a regulated professional in non-practising presentations or administrative work related to non-dietetics leadership, policy or education.
- Listing yourself as an RD in professional profiles (LinkedIn, websites) for non-practising roles.
Avoid using the RD title in ways that suggest you are currently practising, such as providing client care, nutrition advice, or supervising dietetic services or learners. This includes activities that fall within the definition of practising dietetics. The Definition of Practising Dietetics and scope of practice statement can be helpful to review as a reminder of what to avoid while in a VUT.
Public Register Transparency
While under a VUT, your public register profile will show the following statement:
“Because [Name of RD] has not been practising dietetics, they have undertaken not to resume the practice of dietetics in Ontario or working with clients who live in Ontario until they have completed upgrading in topics related to dietetics as directed by the College.”
Why This Matters
The College recognizes that dietitians contribute value in many ways beyond practising dietetics. The VUT lets you stay connected to the profession, pursue leadership or non-traditional roles, and maintain your RD title, while protecting the public and the integrity of the RD title.
Breaching a VUT is a serious matter and may constitute professional misconduct under the Ontario Regulation 680/93. Registrants may wish to seek independent advice to fully understand the implications of signing a VUT for their individual circumstances and practice.
Returning to Practice
If you would like to return to dietetic practice, you must notify CDO in advance of your intention to return to practice. Here’s what you can expect:
- The Quality Assurance Committee will assess any record of professional development you kept and determine if upgrading is needed (for example, courses, practicum with an RD mentor or other professional development).
- Consider keeping a learning diary of your professional development while on a VUT which will help demonstrate how you maintained your competence in food and nutrition.
- If you do not wish to complete a learning diary, or you have not completed any professional development, you may choose to complete competency assessments, including the Canadian Dietetic Registration Examination (CDRE) to demonstrate that you maintained competence in food and nutrition.
- Complete a Peer and Practice Assessment within one year of returning to practice.
Need More Information?
If you’re considering a VUT or want guidance on using your RD title responsibly, contact the Professional Practice Program at practice.advisory@collegeofdietitians.org or the QA program at quality.assurance@collegeofdietitians.org.
