Commission on Dietetic Registration - Certifications and Licensure


		Laws that Regulate Dietitians/Nutritionists The forty-six states list below have laws that regulate dietitians or nutritionists through licensure, statutory certification, or registration. For state regulation purposes, these terms are defined as the following: Licensing - statutes include an explicitly defined scope of practice, and performance of the profession is illegal without first obtaining a license from the state. Statutory certification — limits use of particular titles to persons meeting predetermined requirements, while persons not certified can still practice the occupation or profession. Registration — is the least restrictive form of state regulation. As with certification, unregistered persons are permitted to practice the profession. Typically, exams are not given and enforcement of the registration requirement is minimal. Dietetics practitioners are licensed by states to ensure that only qualified, trained professional provide nutrition services or advice to individuals requiring or seeking nutrition care or information. Only state — licensed dietetics professionals can provide nutrition counseling. Nonlicensed practitioners may be subject to prosecution for practicing without a license. States with certification laws limit the use of particular titles (eg, dietitian or nutritionist) to persons meeting predetermined requirements; however, persons not certified can still practice. Consumers in these states who are seeking nutrition therapy assistance need to be more cautious and aware of the qualifications of the provider they choose. Should you plan to practice dietetics in these states it is important that you contact a state regulatory agency prior to practicing dietetics. Obtain state licensure agency contact information by clicking on the state name below: Alabama (1989)* - licensing of dietitian/nutritionist Alaska (1999) - licensing of dietitian/nutritionist Arkansas (1989) - licensing of dietitian California (1995)* - registration* of dietitian Connecticut (1994) - certification of dietitian Delaware (1994) - certification of dietitian/nutritionist District of Columbia (1986) - licensing of dietitian and nutritionist Florida (1988) - licensing of dietitian, nutritionist and nutrition counselors Georgia (1994)* - licensing of dietitian Hawaii (2000)* - certification of dietitian Idaho (1994) - licensing of dietitian Illinois (1991) - licensing of dietitian and nutrition counselors Indiana (1994) - certification of dietitian Iowa (1985) - licensing of dietitian Kansas (1989)* - licensing of dietitian Kentucky (1994)* - licensing of dietitian and certification of nutritionist Louisiana (1987)* - licensing of dietitian/nutritionist Maine (1994)* - licensing of dietitian and dietetic technician Maryland (1994)* - licensing of dietitian and nutritionist Massachusetts (1999) - licensing of dietitian and nutritionist Minnesota (1994) - licensing of dietitian and nutritionist Mississippi (1994)* - licensing of dietitian and nutritionist title protection Missouri (1998)-certification of dietitian Montana* (1987)* - licensing of nutritionist and dietitian title protection Nebraska (1995)* - licensing of medical nutrition therapists Nevada (1995)* - certification of dietitian New Hampshire (2000) - licensing of dietitian New Mexico (1997) - licensing of dietitian, nutritionist and nutrition associates New York (1991) - certification of dietitian and nutritionist North Carolina (1991) - licensing of dietitian and nutritionist North Dakota (1989)* - licensing of dietitian and certification of nutritionist Ohio (1986) - licensing of dietitian Oklahoma (1984) - licensing of dietitian Oregon (1989) - certification of dietitian Pennsylvania (2002) - licensing of dietitian-nutritionist Puerto Rico (1974)* - licensing of dietitian and nutritionist Rhode Island (1991)* - licensing of dietitian and nutritionist South Dakota (1996) - licensing of dietitian and nutritionist Tennessee (1987) - licensing of dietitian/nutritionist Texas (1993)* - licensing of dietitian Utah (1993) - certification of dietitian Vermont (1993) - certification of dietitian Virginia (1995)* - certification of dietitian and nutritionist Washington (1988) - certification of dietitian and nutritionist West Virginia (2000) - licensing of dietitian Wisconsin (1994) - certification of dietitian Click here for the total list of state licensure agency contacts * Indicates year amended or reauthorized under sunset provisions. Commission on Dietetic Registration 120 South Riverside Plaza, Suite 2000 Chicago, Illinois 60606-6995 Phone: 312 - 899 - 0040 Ext. 5500 Fax: 312 - 899 - 4772