This law provides for the licensure of dietitians, and it defines an exclusive scope of practice for them. Only a person licensed or otherwise authorized to practice under this law may practice dietetics/nutrition, provide nutrition care services, use the title "dietitian/nutritionist" or the words "dietitian" or "nutritionist" alone or in combination, or use the letters L.D., L.N.,
The law defines the practice of dietetics/nutrition as: "[T]he integration and application of the principles derived from the sciences of nutrition, biochemistry, food, physiology, management, and behavioral and social sciences to achieve and maintain people's health through the provision of nutrition care services." This includes:
You may practice dietetics/nutrition with the supervision of a licensed dietitian or licensed nutritionist, and this includes if you are enrolled in an approved educational dietetics program or if you are a dietetic technician. If you are employed by certain programs or businesses, you are not restricted from providing services and information related to non-medical nutrition. This includes if you are a nutritional educator employed by a:
You may provide general services for weight control without a license if it is reviewed by, consultation is available from, and no change to the program can be initiated without approval of, a licensed or registered dietitian. This would include a diet and exercise regimen. Anyone can provide general nutritional information on food or dietary supplements. You are also able to market or distribute food, food materials, or dietary supplements and explain how to use or to prepare those products. 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. Furthermore, a registered dietitian serving in the Armed Forces, the Public Health Service of the United States, the Veteran Administration, or other federal government agencies, can provide such practice if it is related to such service or employment. Source: Alabama Code Title 34. Professions and Businesses Section 34-34A-1 et sequitur |