Board Certified Specialist in Sports Dietetics (CSSD): The Board Certified Specialist in Sports Dietetics (CSSD) is the premier professional sports nutrition credential in the U.S. The CSSD is offered by the Commission on Dietetic
Registration (CDR) for registered
dietitians (RDs) who have specialized experience in sports dietetics.
Being Board Certified as a Specialist in Sports
Dietetics designates specific knowledge,
skills, and expertise for competency in sports
dietetics practice.
Remaining 2008 CSSD exam window
July 14 to August 1, 2008 (postmark deadline: May 5, 2008)
2009 CSSD exam windows
February 9-27, 2009 (application postmark deadline: Nov 17, 2008)
July 13-31, 2009 (application postmark deadline: May 11, 2009)
Why Certification?
The Board Certified Specialist in Sports Dietetics credential is the way to advance your career in sports dietetics, gain a competitive edge in employment, and provide unique benefits to clients and employers, such as sports medical nutrition therapy for special populations. CSSDs apply sports nutrition science to fueling fitness, sport, and athletic performance. Specialty certification differentiates sports
dietitians from those who are less qualified
to provide sports nutrition services. Credibility,
visibility, and marketability of sports dietitians
is enhanced by specialty certification.
Specialty certification facilitates networking and partnering with organizations that share common goals.
Where do CSSDs work? Employers are already requiring the CSSD for sports nutrition positions. Employment opportunities exist in these areas:
- Athletic performance companies
- Colleges and universities (athletics, student health, campus wellness, faculty and staff)
- Corporations (wellness, food industry)
- Health care organizations (hospitals, clinics, eating disorder treatment)
- Hospitals and clinics
- Military bases and affiliates
- Online nutrition coaching
- Professional sports organizations
- Private practice
- U.S. Olympic Committee and training facilities
Application
Process: Application forms,
eligibility criteria, exam content outline, reference list, and exam locations and dates
are available on CDR's website: http://www.cdrnet.org/certifications/spec/sports.htm
Cost:
The cost of the specialty certification
examination is $250.
CDR Sports Dietetics Self-Assessment: CDR has launched an online “Assess and Learn: Sports Dietetics: Nutrition for Athletic Performance” self-assessment module. The module has been approved for 5 CPEUs. Link to CDR’s website: http://cdrnet.educationdirector.com/
Eligibility: The requirements for successful completion of
the eligibility application and the specialty
certification examination are based on the education,
skills, and practical experience needed for
competency in sports dietetics practice. Eligibility
requirements for the specialty exam include
current RD status, maintenance of RD status
for two years, and 1500 hours of experience
in specialty practice. Until May 31, 2009, graduate education
may substitute for up to 1200 hours of specialty practice
experience.
Specialty
Exam: The CSSD exam
is offered within a 3-week time period two times a year. During those periods the computer-based exam
is available at about 100 locations in
the United States. Applied Measurement Professionals,
Inc. administers the exam. Successful completion
of the eligibility application and the CSSD exam earns the applicant a five-year CSSD certification and satisfies CDR's five-year CPEU
requirement for Registered
Dietitians.
History of the CSSD: In summer 2005 CDR
appointed SCAN members to a Sports Dietetics
Specialty Practice Analysis Workgroup (SPAW).
SPAW members assisted CDR in developing a Sports
Dietetics Practice Analysis Survey that was
conducted in fall 2005. The survey data were used to develop a content outline
and items for the CSSD specialty
examination. SPAW also successfully completed the following:
- Identified knowledge, skills, and abilities for competency in sports dietetics practice
- Developed a sports dietetics practitioner definition (see below)
- Assisted in developing eligibility requirements for sports dietetics specialty certification
- Identified sports nutrition resources applicable to sports dietetics practice
- Assisted in developing a CSSD specialty exam and a content outline for the exam
SPAW transitioned into the Sports Dietetics
Specialty Examination workgroup (SSEW) that assists CDR with the following:
- Write and review specialty exam items
- Update the sports nutrition reference list
SSEW Members: Steven E. Black, Lt Col, USAF, BSC, PhD, RD, CSSD; Kim Crawford, PhD, RD, CSSD; Nancy DiMarco, PhD, RD, CSSD, LD; Christopher Halagarda, MS, RD, CSSD, CSCS; Diane King, MS, ATC, RD, CSSD; Susie H. Langley, MS, RD, CSSD; Michele A. Macedonio, MS, RD, CSSD, LD; Bob Seebohar, MS, RD, CSSD, CSCS: Ingrid Skoog, MS, RD, CSSD; and Patti Steinmuller, MS, RD, CSSD, LD.
Definition
- Sports Dietetics Practitioner:
Sports Dietitians are experienced registered
dietitians who apply evidence-based nutrition
knowledge in exercise and sports. They assess,
educate, and counsel athletes and active individuals.
They design, implement, and manage safe and
effective nutrition strategies that enhance
lifelong health, fitness, and optimal performance.
Need
More Information? Obtain updates
from the CDR website, the SD-USA Score e-newsletter, and SCAN's PULSE.
Read these articles:
- Funk A. Before the Snap. Athletic Training & Conditioning. (May/June 2007).
http://www.training-conditioning.com/2007/05/before_the_snap.html
Sign-up
for SD-USA:
If you have not already done so, consider signing
up for SCAN's Sports Dietetics-USA subunit.
SD-USA membership is a free SCAN
member benefit. SD-USA members receive the SD-USA Score e-newsletter, published 4-6 times a year. Access the Member Login and sign-up for Sports Dietetics-USA at base of the Member Profile.
Contact Michele Macedonio, MS, RD, CSSD, with questions about Sports Dietetics-USA:
M_A_Macedonio@fuse.net
Contact CDR with questions regarding the CSSD credential:
http://www.cdrnet.org/certifications/spec/sports.htm
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