This law provides for the licensure of dietitians, and only those with a license may provide nutrition care. However, as of May 26th, 2022 a new regulation (Rule 3.9.1(8) allows non-licensed practitioners broad leeway.
The new regulation reads:
“No person shall engage in the practice of dietetics or represent himself to be a dietitian unless he is licensed by the Board, except as otherwise provided in this section.
“Any individual who provides individualized nutrition recommendations, nutrition information, guidance, encouragement, health coaching, holistic and wellness education, motivation, behavior change management, or non-medical weight control services, provided that the individual does not” attempt to diagnose, treat, or cure a disease or medical condition, or use a protected title, such as Nutritionist.
Without a license you can also practice nutrition with the supervision of a licensed dietitian or licensed nutrition. This includes:
- Anyone pursuing a degree in dietetics, provided that person holds a title indicating status as a student or trainee
- Any person providing dietetic services, including but not limited to dietetic technicians, dietetic assistants, and dietary managers, working under the Regulations Governing Licensure of Dietitians Office of Health Protection
If you are employed by certain programs or businesses, you are not restricted from providing services and information related to nonmedical nutrition. This includes if you are a nutritional educator employed by a:
- Federal, state, county or municipal agency
- Another political subdivision
- Programs helping to prevent disease and maintain good nutritional health
- Chartered elementary or secondary school
- Accredited degree-granting educational institution
Furthermore, a registered dietician serving in the Armed Forces, the Public Health Service of the United States, or the Veteran Affairs can provide nutrition services such practice is related to such service or employment.
If you are licensed in a separate medical profession, you can engage in the practice of dietetics if you do not call yourself a “dietitian.” This includes dentistry, medicine, osteopathy, chiropractic, nursing, or pharmacy.
You can market or distribute food, food materials, or dietary supplements and further explain how to use or to prepare those products.
Source: Title 15, Part 19, Subpart 60, CHAPTER 3
Regulations can be found here