This bill establishes a State Board of Dietetics and Nutrition under the supervision of the Division of Professions and Occupations in the Department of Regulatory Agencies. The key provisions of the bill are:
Licensing Requirements:
Medical Nutrition Therapy: Starting September 1, 2026, individuals are prohibited from providing medical nutrition therapy unless licensed by the newly created board.
Licensing Process for Dietitians: To practice as a dietitian, an individual must submit:
An application for a license.
Proof of completing required educational qualifications and supervised practice.
Proof of passing the required examination or holding current registration with the Commission on Dietetic Registration.
Licensing Process for Nutritionists: To practice as a nutritionist, an individual must submit:
An application for a license.
Proof of completing required educational qualifications and supervised practice.
Proof of passing the required examination.
Examination Waiver: Between September 1, 2026, and September 1, 2028, the board may waive the examination requirement for nutritionists who meet certain criteria and grant them a license.
License Denial, Suspension, and Probation:
The board has the authority to:
Deny or refuse to renew a license.
Suspend, revoke, or impose probationary conditions on a license.
Issue warnings or reprimands for certain grounds of discipline or unprofessional conduct.
Provisional License:
The board may issue a provisional license to individuals who have met the educational and supervised practice requirements and applied for the licensing examination.
Exemptions and Penalties:
Certain individuals may be exempt from the licensing requirements.
Practicing or attempting to practice as a dietitian or nutritionist without a license, unless exempt, is classified as a Class 2 misdemeanor.
Sunset Provision:
The bill is scheduled to expire on September 1, 2035. Before its repeal, the board's regulatory functions will be reviewed as part of the sunset law process.
This bill sets up a new regulatory framework for dietitians and nutritionists in the state, requiring licensure through the newly established board. It outlines specific educational, experience, and examination requirements for licensing and sets penalties for non-compliance. The bill also provides for provisional licensing and exemptions, with a review of the board's activities planned before the bill's repeal in 2035.
Summary
The bill creates the state board of dietetics and nutrition (board)
under the supervision and control of the division of professions and occupations in the department of regulatory agencies. On and after September 1, 2026, an individual is prohibited from engaging in or offering to provide medical nutrition therapy unless the individual is licensed by the board. The board is authorized to license dietitians and nutritionists if they meet the requirements specified by the bill and the rules adopted by the board pursuant to the bill. An individual who desires to practice as a dietitian must file with
the board:
•
An application for a license;
•
Proof of completion of educational requirements and supervised practice experience; and
•
Proof of compliance with examination requirements or proof of holding a valid current registration with the Commission on Dietetic Registration.
An individual who desires to practice as a nutritionist must file
with the board:
•
An application for a license;
•
Proof of completion of educational requirements and supervised practice experience; and
•
Proof of compliance with examination requirements.
On or after September 1, 2026, but before September 1, 2028, the
board may waive the examination requirement and may grant a nutritionist license to an applicant who meets specified criteria.
The board may deny or refuse to renew a license, suspend or
revoke a license, or impose probationary conditions on a license. The board may also issue warnings or reprimands where the licensee or applicant for licensure has engaged in specified grounds for discipline or unprofessional conduct.
The board may issue a provisional license to practice as a dietitian
or a nutritionist upon the filing of an application with the appropriate fees, submission of evidence of successful completion of the educational and supervised practice requirements, and submission of evidence that the individual has applied to take the required licensing examination.
The bill exempts specified individuals from the licensing
requirements established by the bill.
An individual who practices or offers or attempts to practice as a
dietitian or nutritionist without being licensed pursuant to the bill and who is not exempted from licensure commits a class 2 misdemeanor.
The board shall adopt rules as necessary to implement the bill. The bill is scheduled for repeal on September 1, 2035. Before the
repeal, the functions of the board in regulating dietitians and nutritionists are scheduled for review in accordance with the sunset law.
