Professional Regulation of Dietitians: An Overview

Forty-four states currently have statutory provisions regarding professional regulation of dietitians and/or nutritionists. The rationale for legislatures acting to protect these titles is simple: the public deserves to know which individuals are qualified by education, experience and examination to provide nutrition care services.

Enacting licensure laws in those states that still do not have a law remains a high priority of the American Dietetic Association in the area of state affairs. Many will say that, in an era of less government, fewer licensure laws are necessary and that government should be getting out of this arena. The American Dietetic Association strongly rejects this notion. State legislatures are charged with protecting the health and safety of the public. Accordingly, every state regulates occupations and professions that have an impact on the public’s health and safety.

Unfortunately, until relatively recently, the vital link between nutrition and good health had not been fully recognized. As the public has become aware of the importance of good nutrition, many entrepreneurs have taken advantage of the newly recognized market. While many of these products and services may be worthwhile when used in the context of an overall good nutrition regimen, some are simply capitalizing on the new infatuation the consuming public has with healthy eating and nutrition.

Licensing of dietitians and nutritionists assures the public that individuals disseminating nutrition advice have the appropriate education and experience. As medical nutrition therapy is used in the treatment of various diseases, individuals seeking nutritional advice that are medically compromised deserve the assurance that the individual treating them has the requisite education and experience. Licensure laws protect the public from unscrupulous and unqualified individuals who would portray themselves as nutrition experts.

As educated and qualified healthcare practitioners, dietitians and nutritionists have the primary obligation to promote public health. The rationale behind licensure is consistent with this obligation. Licensure laws are not intended to restrict freedom of speech or to monopolize any business. The same arguments opposing licensure laws could be used against licensure of physicians, nurses and many other healthcare professionals but legislatures in every state have recognized that the protection of the public health justifies regulation. The same argument should prevail when discussing licensure of dietitians and nutritionists.