There are three categories of HKNS registrant:
Registered Nutritionist (RNutr)
Qualified nutrition professionals with demonstrable experience of degree-level, evidence-based practice in one or more area of nutrition practice.
Registered Associate Nutritionist (RANutr)
Recently graduated nutrition practitioners with full time employment in the nutrition profession, under continual supervision and assessment by a Registered Nutritionist (RNutr) of the HKNS.
Student Member
Current students major in nutritional science/food and nutritional sciences, with keen interest in the Nutritionist profession.
How to Apply?
To protect the public through quality assurance, all registrations at the Hong Kong Nutritionists Society (HKNS) are governed by the Council of the HKNS. To distinguish qualified nutrition practitioners, applicants should meet the rigorous requirements on academic education, applied training, professional competence, experience, supervision and assessment.
Registration Requirements
Registration requirements for different categories of registrants are listed on the following table:
Registered Nutritionist | Registered Associate Nutritionist | Student Member |
Three or four year undergraduate degree major in nutritional science / food and nutritional sciences or one year postgraduate course¹ | Same as Registered Nutritionist. | A current student taking Diploma program or above major in nutritional science / food and nutritional sciences². |
Practical Experience Requirements | ||
Registered Nutritionist | Registered Associate Nutritionist | Student Member |
Three or more years practice experience within the past five years, demonstrating (by portfolio, and/or recommendation from a Registered Nutritionist recognized by the HKNS) practical application of core competencies in nutritional science. | Registered Associate Nutritionist title is for those who meet the education requirements but have not yet acquired the work experience needed for full registration. To be eligible, a candidate must fulfill the education requirement, and be employed in a nutrition work setting and directly supervised by a HKNS approved ‘Supervisor’ (‘Supervisor’ are HKNS RNutr who gained further approval by the Council to take up ‘Supervisor’ role).³,⁴. | No requirement. |
Continual Professional Development | ||
Registered Nutritionist | Registered Associate Nutritionist | Student Member |
Registered Nutritionists are required to extend their status every 3 years and provide evidence of continuing competency. | Registered Associate Nutritionists are required to extend their status every year, coupled with proof of updated working experience, and written recommendations by his/her supervising Registered Nutritionists working with him/her in the same nutrition work setting⁵. | Continuation to undertake a Diploma program or above major in nutritional science / food and nutritional sciences as above. |
Remarks:
¹ Including full time or part-time Bachelor Degree courses or above. Distance learning will be considered in a case-by-case basis.
² Including full time, part-time, or distance learning.
³ Registered Associate Nutritionist who wishes to apply for Registered Nutritionist qualification after completion of three years of working experience within the past five years, are required to submit (1). Documentary prove of related working experience, and (2) Recommendation letter from his/her supervisor who should be a HKNS approved ‘Supervisor’, and working with him/her in a nutrition work setting. In case the candidate does not have a HKNS approved ‘Supervisor’ who is working directly with him/her in a nutrition work setting, the candidate will be required to submit recommendation letters with strong grounds from three HKNS approved ‘Supervisor’.
⁴ Self-employment / free-lance work will not be considered as employment to this effect.
⁵ In case the candidate does not have a HKNS approved ‘Supervisor’ who is working directly with him/her in a nutrition work setting during the period, the candidate will be required to submit supporting letters from three HKNS approved ‘Supervisor’ to ensure continuation of satisfactory supervision / communication with his/her ‘Supervisor’.
Application Procedure
1. Submission of Completed Application Form
Applicants should submit sufficient documentary proof on academic qualification, employment and working experience.
2. Accreditation Assessment by the HKNS
During the course of accreditation assessment, the applicant may be required to provide further information, and/or attend an interview if necessary.
3. Notification of Result
Normally, applicants for RNutr and RANutr will be notified of the result four to eight weeks upon receiving of all required document. Applicants will be informed of the result individually.
In case the candidate does not have a HKNS approved supervisor who is working directly with him/her in a nutrition work setting during the period, the candidate will be required to submit supporting letters from three HKNS approved supervisor to ensure continuation of satisfactory supervision / communication with a Registered Nutritionist.
Eligibility to Maintain Registration Status
Subject to the continual professional standard and compliance with the HKNS Code of Practice, registration status of RNutr and RANutr will be renewed regularly. For RANutr, they will also need to receive favorable recommendation from their HKNS approved supervisor as well as to provide employment prove.
Fees
| Membership | Price |
|---|---|
| Registered Nutritionist (RNutr) | HKD $3,000 per year |
| Registered Associate Nutritionist (RANutr) | HKD $1,000 per year |
| Student Member | HKD $300 (Fee for the 1st year will be waived) |
Nutritionist Panel
Members of the public can check whether a nutritionist is registered under the HKNS Register of Nutritionist in TO FIND A REGISTERED NUTRITIONIST
Application Submission
It is our pleasure to announcement that application for the Registered Nutritionist (RNutr) qualification of the Hong Kong Nutritionist Society is now opened.
Before making your application, please refer to our registration requirements
via https://www.nutritionists.hk/registration/
Please also read the attached ‘Guidance Notes for Registered Nutritionist Qualification Application’, and ‘Transitional Period Arrangement for ‘Registered Nutritionist’ Applications (Feb 2018)’.
We will process applications round-the-year. However, you are encouraged to submit your application at your earliest convenience.
Should you have any question, please feel free to e-mail us via: [email protected]
Guidance Notes for applying Registered Nutritionist Rev Jan 2018
Transitional Period Arrangement for Registered Nutritionist Applications Feb 2018
Application Form (HKNS) Rev Jan 2018
The Competence Mapping Form – Registered Nutritionist (HKNS) Rev Jan 2018*
*These competencies are reproduced with the permission of the UK Association for Nutrition (AfN) which supports and advances standards of evidence-based practice across the field of nutrition at all levels within the workforce.