There
are 41 states (plus The District of Columbia and Puerto
Rico) that have laws regulating 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 (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. Non-licensed 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.
State Licensure Agency List: The majority of states have enacted laws which regulate the practice of dietetics. Should you plan to practice dietetics in these states it is important that you contact a state regulatory agency prior to practicing dietetics. In many states it is a VIOLATION of state law to practice dietetics without a license.
Please note: the regulations and contacts were current when they were posted. If you find a link that is not working or information that is no longer current please let us know using the e-mail link at the bottom of this page.
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 (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. Non-licensed 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.
State Licensure Agency List: The majority of states have enacted laws which regulate the practice of dietetics. Should you plan to practice dietetics in these states it is important that you contact a state regulatory agency prior to practicing dietetics. In many states it is a VIOLATION of state law to practice dietetics without a license.
Please note: the regulations and contacts were current when they were posted. If you find a link that is not working or information that is no longer current please let us know using the e-mail link at the bottom of this page.
Alabama
State Board
Alaska
Arkansas
California
Colorado
Connecticut
District of Columbia
Georgia
Idaho
Illinois
Indiana
Kentucky
Louisiana
Maine
Maryland
Massachusetts
Mississippi
Missouri
Montana
New Hampshire
New Mexico
New York
North Carolina
North Dakota
Oregon
Pennsylvania
Puerto Rico
No Current Site Found
Rhode Island
South Dakota
Tennessee
Washington
West Virginia
Wisconsin