Nutrition Consultant Laws

Nutrition consultants generally work in private practice or by contract with a health-care facility providing services related to nutrition programs and food planning. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the minimum education requirements for a nutrition consultant is typically a bachelor's degree. Forty-six states and the District of Columbia enacted laws that require some form of licensing, certification or registration for nutrition consultants. The laws vary among these jurisdictions and a nutrition consultant needs to be familiar with the requirements where he intends to work.

Licensing

Thirty-three states and the District of Columbia require some form of licensing to practice as a nutrition consultant. Licensing is usually the strictest form of regulation for any profession in that it requires the most educational prerequisites, such as a college degree, relevant work experience under supervised conditions, and passing an examination administered by a state agency. For example, Florida requires licensing of nutrition consultants by the Department of Health and obtaining a license requires a bachelor's degree, 900 hours of work experience and passing the exam administered by the Commission on Dietetic Registration.

Statutory Certification

Twelve states provide for statutory certification of nutrition consultants, rather than licensure. Although each state law varies, in general the laws regarding certification of a nutrition consultant prohibits a non-certified person from using certain titles as part of her practice, but does not necessarily prohibit a non-certified person from working as a nutrition consultant. For example, nutrition consultants in Indiana can apply for certification from the Indiana Dietitians Certification Board. A nutrition consultant who is not certified by the board is prohibited under Indiana law from representing himself as certified or implying certification by using the designation "CD." Violation of this law is a misdemeanor.

Registration

After licensing and certification, the status of "registered" is generally considered the least restrictive form of state regulation, typically having no examination requirements. Some states, such as Indiana, enacted laws pertaining to both licensure or certification and the designation "registered" as used in the nutritionist field. However, use of the designation "registered" is not always easily classified among the states. For example, California law does not require licensing or certification for nutrition consultants, but does regulate the use of the designation "registered dietitian." California Business & Professions Code Section 2585 sets forth the college education and work experience requirements necessary to become a registered dietitian, which also includes an examination requirement. These requirements are similar to what other states require for licensing.

Other Certifications and Credentials

Certification and credentials for nutrition consultants are also available through associations and trade organizations. For example, the Commission on Dietetic Registration, or CDR, has acted as the credentialing agency for the American Dietetic Association since 1969. The CDR offers different levels of credentialing, including Registered Dietitian, or RD; Dietetic Technician, Registered, or DTR; and Board Certified Specialist in Pediatric Nutrition, or CSP.