Minnesota Licensure Law
In 1994 Minnesota passed a licensure law. Practice of dietetics is defined as the integration and application of scientific principles of food, nutrition, biochemistry, physiology, food management, and behavioral and social sciences to achieve and maintain health through the provision of nutrition care services. No person may engage in dietetics or nutrition practice unless the person is licensed as a dietitian or nutritionist by the board. No person may use the title “dietitian,” “licensed dietitian,” “nutritionist,” “licensed nutritionist,” or an occupational title using the word “dietitian” or “nutritionist” unless so licensed by the board, nor shall any person hold out as a dietitian or nutritionist unless so licensed.Exemptions:
1. any person pursuing a degree in dietetics or nutrition at an accredited college or university who is practicing under the supervision of a licensed dietitian or licensed nutritionist and in accordance with accepted scientific knowledge and standards of practice, provided that the person is designated by a title which clearly indicates the person’s status as a student or trainee;
2. any person in the process of fulfilling the professional experience requirements in dietetics or nutrition necessary for licensure who is practicing under the supervision of a licensed dietitian or licensed nutritionist and in accordance with accepted scientific knowledge and standards of practice, provided that the person is designated by a title which clearly indicates the person’s status as a student or trainee;
3. any person licensed to practice medicine, nursing, optometry, psychology, pharmacy, dentistry, or chiropractic, when nutrition practice is incidental to the practice of the person’s profession and the person does not hold out as a dietitian, or nutritionist unless so licensed;
4. any person, including a registered dietetic technician, dietetic technician, or other paraprofessional working in a program supervised by a licensed dietitian or nutritionist, if the person’s activities are within the scope of the person’s education and training and in accordance with accepted scientific knowledge and standards of practice in nutrition or dietetics and the person does not hold out as a dietitian, or nutritionist unless so licensed;
5. 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 sections 148.621 to 148.633, a dietitian licensed in another state that has licensure requirements considered by the board to be at least as stringent as the requirements for licensure under sections 148.621 to 148.633, or a registered dietitian, and provided that the person does not hold out as a dietitian, or nutritionist unless so licensed;
6. any home economist with a baccalaureate or graduate degree from an accredited college or university, if the person’s activities are within the scope of the person’s education and training and in accordance with accepted scientific knowledge and standards or practice and the person does not hold out as a dietitian or nutritionist;
7. any person employed by a federal, state, county, or municipal agency, if the person’s activities are within the scope of the person’s education and training and in accordance with accepted scientific knowledge and standards or practice and the person does not hold out as a dietitian or nutritionist unless so licensed;
8. any person who furnished nutrition information on food, food materials, or dietary supplements or engages in the explanation to customers about foods or food products in connection with the marketing and distribution of those products provided that the person does not hold out as a dietitian or nutritionist unless so licensed;
9. any person who is recognized in the community as a provider of nutritional advice, including a curandero or medicine man or woman, and who advises people according to or based on traditional practices provided that the person does not hold out as a dietitian or nutritionist unless so licensed;
10. any animal nutritionist who does not meet the requirements of sections 148.621 to 148.633, provided that the person’s activities are limited to the nutritional care of animals. Animal nutritionists may continue to use the title nutritionist so long as they provide nutrition services only to animals;
11. any person who provides nutrition services without remuneration to family members; or 12. any person involved in dietary or nutritional counseling pursuant to a research study supervised by a Minnesota institution of higher learning or state agency which has been approved by an institutional review board to ensure the informed consent and safety of study participants.
SINCE THIS STATE HAS STRICT LICENSURE LAWS, IT MAY BE ILLEGAL TO PROVIDE ANY NUTRITION SERVICES WITHOUT THE APPROVAL OF A LICENSED DIETITIAN.
For more information you can contact the State of Minnesota directly:
State of Minnesota, Board of Dietetics and Nutrition Practice
2829 University Avenue SE #555
Minneapolis, MN 55414-3250
ALL NUTRITION MANAGER CONSULTANTS SIGN AN AGREEMENT WITH LIFESTYLE MANAGEMENT ASSOCIATES TO CONFER WITH AN AASDN PROFESSIONAL.
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 other states visit www.cdrnet.org/certifications/licensure/index.htm.
