Dietitians (germ. Diätassistent ⁽¹⁾) in Germany are considered health professionals, like nurses, physiotherapists, midwives, etc. and their professions are protected by federal law.  Each health profession has its own legal framework. Dietitians are governed by the "Dietitian Law", which also regulates the content of educational programs and professional registration. Only state licensed schools can conduct educational programs for state registered dietitians. The education of health professionals in Germany (except physicians and pharmacists) is unique (Berufsfachschulausbildung) in that it is neither "vocational training" nor "university (academic) training".

The original intent was to provide health professionals with a high standard of professional knowledge with a primary focus on applied work, as opposed to research or independent academic work.

The education of dietitians is comprised of 3.050 hours of theoretical training and 1.400 hours of practical training. The three year program ends with a theoretical, practical and oral state examination. Successful graduates obtain the title of “Diätassistent” [engl. Dietitian] and are registered within the state (Bundesland) were state examination took place. The title "dietitian" is protected by law. Registered dietitians in Germany have a wide range of work fields and can further specialise their skills (e.g. diabetes, enteral feeding, paediatric, administrative, etc.).

Despite their professional status, continuing academic advancement is not possible.  According to the "Information System of the Federal Health Monitoring" (GBE) 14.000 dietitians worked in German hospitals, clinics and nursing homes in 2007.  Approx. 4.000 dietitians are member of the German Dietitian Association (VDD).  Despite the fact that there is no academic recognition of dietitians in Germany the results of research done by EFAD (European Federation of the Association of the  Associations of Dietitians) in 2003 shows, that work fields of dietitians in Germany do not differ from the work fields of dietitians in other European countries.  Furthermore, the German non-academic education offers more hours of training than some (academic) dietetic programs in some other European countries.

The German Dietitian Association is currently working on different concepts for an academic recognition of dietitians and the changing of the professional title.  However, a first cycle academic education of dietitians in Germanys will only be possible, if the German parliament has been convinced to change the German dietitian law, which regulates the education of dietitian on state licensed schools.

^{*****************************
[1]} At present in the German speaking countries three professions are dietitians according to the international definition of a dietitian: Germany: Diätassistent, Austria: Diaetologe, Switzerland: Ernährungsberater HF/FH