Louisiana Licensure Law
In 1987 Louisiana passed a licensure law - Dietitian/Nutritionist Practice Act - which regulates and defines the scope of practice in nutrition. An individual must be licensed as a dietitian within the state to practice dietetics.Practice of dietetics is defined the integration and application of principles derived from the science of nutrition, biochemistry, physiology, food, and management and from behavioral and social sciences to achieve and maintain client health through the provision of nutrition care services.
Nothing in this Act shall be construed to affect or prevent:
A. 1. A student enrolled in an approved academic program in dietetics/nutrition from engaging in the practice of dietetics/nutrition, if such practice constitutes a part of a supervised course of study, and if the student is designated by a title which clearly indicates his status as a student or trainee; any person fulfilling the experience requirements from engaging in the practice of dietetics/nutrition under the supervision of a licensed dietitian nutritionist.
2. A dietitian/nutritionist who is serving in the Armed Forces or any other federal agency from engaging in the practice of dietetics/nutrition provided such practice is related to services or employment.
3. Persons licensed to practice the professions of dentistry, medicine, osteopathy, chiropractics, nursing, or pharmacy from engaging in the practice of dietetics/nutrition when incidental to the practice of their profession, except that such persons may not use the titles “dietitian”, or “dietician” or “nutritionist”; or employees of physicians or osteopath, provided that such employees do not engage in the practice of dietetics/nutrition or use the titles “dietitian”, or “dietician” or “nutritionist”.
4. Persons who perform the activities and services of a nutrition educator in the employ of a federal, state, parish, or municipal agency, or another political subdivision, or a chartered elementary or secondary school or accredited degree granting educational institution insofar as such activities and services are part of a salaried position.
5. Employees classified by the state civil service commission from engaging in the practice of dietetics/nutrition within the discharge of official duties and authorized to use the title “dietitian”, or “dietician” or “nutritionist” and who is not registry eligible or registered currently with the Commission on Dietetic Registration and is in such a position prior to July 1, 1998.
6. A nonresident registered dietitian/nutritionist from practicing dietetics/nutrition in Louisiana for five days without a license or up to thirty days per year with licensure from another state if the requirements for licensure are substantially equal to the requirements.
7. A person from marketing or distributing food, food materials, or food supplements or a person from engaging in an explanation of the use of preparation of these products, or from furnishing general nutrition information related to such products in connection with the marketing or distribution of such products, if that person does not represent himself as a dietitian/nutritionist.
8. A PERSON FROM PROVIDING WEIGHT CONTROL SERVICES THROUGH A PROGRAM which has been reviewed by, consultation is available from, and no program change can be initiated without prior approval by a licensed dietitian/nutritionist, a dietitian/nutritionist licensed in another state which has licensure requirements at least as stringent as the requirements for licensure specified herein, or a dietitian registered by the Commission on Dietetic Registration of the American Dietetic Association.
B. Persons with a doctorate degree granter prior to July 1, 1988, with a major course of study in human nutrition, foods and nutrition, dietetics, food systems management, or food science and a human nutrition minor from a regionally accredited college or university may use the title “nutritionist” but may not practice dietetics/nutrition unless licensed as provided herein.
C. Nothing in this Act shall be construed to effect or prevent any person employed on or before August 15, 1999, by a physical fitness center that is a member of the Louisiana Health and Fitness Association when the employee is providing information on exercise and weight control to members of the center.
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.
