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K-State Today

May 18, 2011

Sauer heading national registered dietitians exam panel

Submitted by Julie Fosberg

A Kansas State University professor will head a panel that makes sure the registered dietitian and registered dietetic technician exams are administered, processed and analyzed professionally.

Kevin Sauer, assistant professor of hospitality management and dietetics, is the new chair of the examination panel for the Commission on Dietetic Registration. The panel includes five registered dietitians and a registered dietetic technician. The commission is the credentialing agency for the American Dietetic Association.

The exam panel also determines new exam content domains and exam outlines to reflect current practice and competencies to essentially protect the public. Changes such as these greatly impact all education programs of course, Sauer said.

To have the designation "RD" after his or her name, a person not only has had rigorous education and on-site training but also has passed a qualifying examination. The main purpose of the exam is to protect the public through credentialing and assessment processes that assure the competence of registered dietitians and dietetic technicians, registered, Sauer said.

"Like the lawyer's bar exam vouches for the qualifications of an attorney, the registered dietitian and registered dietetic technician exams signify that a person has and knowledge and understanding to practice in dietetics," he said.

Sauer joined K-State in 2004 as an instructor. He earned a bachelor's in dietetics; a master's in food service, hospitality management and administrative dietetics; and doctorate in food service and hospitality management, all from K-State.