Final answer:
D. Developing a learning plan that outlines how national goals for continuing professional education will be met.
To maintain status as an RDN or NDTR, one of the steps is to reflect on professional practice and develop a learning plan to meet established education goals. Educational background includes a bachelor's degree and expertise in food chemistry and physiology.
Step-by-step explanation:
To maintain status as a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist (RDN) or Nutrition and Dietetics Technician, Registered (NDTR), one of the critical steps includes the development of a professional portfolio. This includes reflecting on one's professional practice to document current areas of expertise. Specifically, the third step is developing a learning plan that outlines how the dietitian will meet established goals or, in other words, how they plan to continue their professional education and adhere to national guidelines.
Before reaching this step, candidates need to complete a bachelor's degree in a relevant field such as dietetics, nutrition, food technology, and successfully pass a national exam. Registered Dietitians are expected to become experts in the chemistry and physiology of food, encompassing knowledge about proteins, carbohydrates, and fats, and must complete a supervised internship program as part of their training.