How to become a nutritional therapist
You can get into this job through:
- a university course
University
You'll improve your employment prospects if you get a qualification that is recognised by one of the professional organisations for nutritional therapy.
The Nutritional Therapy Education Commission (NTEC) accredit courses in nutritional therapy. Graduates are eligible to apply for direct entry to the professional register held by the Complementary and Natural Healthcare Council.
Courses are available at undergraduate degree, postgraduate diploma and Master's level.
You should make sure that you are satisfied that courses have a good reputation and you understand how they will be taught. It's also important to find out how much clinical experience you will gain as this may vary.
Entry requirements
You'll usually need:
- 2 to 3 A levels, or equivalent, for a degree
- a degree in a relevant subject for postgraduate study
More Information
More Information
Registration
- you could join an accredited register managed by the Complementary and Natural Healthcare Council (CNHC) or the Federation of Holistic Therapists
Career tips
Your prospects will be greatest as a self-employed therapist. To be successful you need to build up and maintain a sound reputation and client base which may mean working long hours at first.
Networking and training in other therapies may help to increase the number of clients that you see.
Further information
You can find more about careers in nutritional therapy from the British Association for Nutrition and Lifestyle Medicine and the Naturopathic Nutrition Association.