Illinois Licensure Law

In 1991 Illinois passed a licensure law - The Dietetic and Nutrition Services Practice Act - which regulates and defines the scope of practice in nutrition.

Any person who practices, offers to practice, attempts to practice, or holds oneself out to practice dietetics or nutrition counseling without being licensed under this Act shall, in addition to any other penalty provided by law, pay a civil penalty to the Department in an amount not to exceed $5000 for each offense as determined by the Department.

Exemptions:

Any person licensed in the state of Illinois under any other ACT engaging in the practice for which he or she is licensed.

The practice of nutrition services by a person who is employed by the U.S. government.

Any person providing oral nutrition information as an operator or employee of a health food store or business that sells health products, including dietary supplements, food, or food materials, or disseminating written nutrition information in connection with the marketing and distribution of those products.

THE PRACTICE OF NUTRITION SERVICES BY ANY PERSON WHO PROVIDES WEIGHT CONTROL SERVICES, provided the nutrition program has been reviewed by, consultation is available from, and no program change can be initiated without prior approval by an individual licensed under this ACT, a dietitian or nutrition counselor licensed in another state that has licensure requirements to be at least as stringent as the requirements by this Act.

The practice of nutrition services by any person with a masters or doctorate degree with a major in nutrition or equivalent from a regionally accredited school recognized by the Department of Professional Regulation for the purpose of education and research.

Any person providing nutrition information as an employee of a nursing facility operated exclusively by and for those relying upon spiritual means through prayer alone for healing in accordance with the tenets and practices of a recognized church or religious denomination.

THE PROVISIONS OF THIS ACT shall not be construed to prohibit or limit any person from the free dissemination of information, from conducting a class or seminar, or from giving a speech related to nutrition if that person does not hold himself or herself out as a licensed nutrition counselor or licensed dietitian in any manner (Amended by P.A. 87-1000, Section 1, effective January 1, 1993).

While this state does allow nonlicensed individuals to provide dissemniation of nutrition information, it does not allow for individuals to provide nutrition counseling or weight management programs.

SINCE THIS STATE HAS STRICT 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.

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