Alabama Licensure Law
In 1989 Alabama passed a licensure law - Dietetics/Nutrition Practice Act - which regulates and defines the scope of practice in dietetics. Dietetics practice is defined as the 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 peoples' health through the provision of nutrition care services. An individual must be licensed as a dietitian within the state to practice dietetics.This act does not prevent or restrict the practice, services or activities of:
1. A dietetic technician
2. A student enrolled in an approved educational program in dietetics/nutrition
3. A dietitian/nutritionist who is serving in the armed forces or the public health services of the U. S. or is employed by the Veterans Administration or other federal government agencies.
4. A duly licensed health professional from engaging in the practice of dietetics/nutrition when incidental to the practice of his/her profession, provided that such a person does not represent himself/herself as a licensed dietitian/nutritionist.
5. A government employee other a dietitian/nutritionist, or a certified teacher, or municipal agency, or other political subdivision, or an elementary or secondary school, or an accredited institution of higher education from discharging his/her official duties, provided that if such person practices dietetics/nutrition in this state outside the scope of that official duty, he/she shall be licensed under this act.
6. Any person, including hospital food service managers/directors and child nutrition program managers, who has management responsibility for food service department policies, procedures and outcomes from performing his/her job provided that such a person does not represent himself/herself as a licensed dietitian/nutritionist.
7. NOTHING IN THIS ACT IS INTENDED to prohibit any person who does not hold himself out to be a dietitian or nutritionist from furnishing general nutritional information on food, food materials, or dietary supplements or from engaging in the explanation to customers about foods or food products in connection with marketing and distribution of those products, nor to prohibit any person licensed under this act from engaging in the marketing and distribution of food or food products.
8. ANY PERSON WHO PROVIDES WEIGHT CONTROL services provided the program has been reviewed by a dietitian/nutritionist as defined in this act and consultation is available from a dietitian/nutritionist. No changes in a weight control program shall be initiated without prior approval by a dietitian/nutritionist ad defined in this act.9. A dietitian/nutritionist licensed under this act from providing nutrition counseling on health and wellness to the public as an independent agent.
SINCE THIS STATE HAS LICENSURE LAWS, IT IS ILLEGAL TO PROVIDE ANY NUTRITION SERVICES WITHOUT THE APPROVAL OF A LICENSED DIETITIAN.
Although every attempt has been made to summarize the state licensure statutes, to provide health professionals with accurate statements regarding individual state regulations, Lifestyle Management Associates cannot guarantee that all information is current at all points in time, and cannot guarantee or be held responsible for any misinterpretations of the law. Every attempt has been made to persuade all allied health professionals to associate with registered, licensed dietitians.
For more detailed information on the licensure laws of this state and to obtain state licensure agency contact information visit www.cdrnet.org/certifications/licensure/index.htm.
