Nebraska Licensure Law
In 1997 Nebraska amended its statutes and passed a licensure law - Regulations Governing the Practice of Medical Nutrition Therapy - which regulates and defines the scope of practice in Medical Nutrition Therapy. An individual must be licensed as a dietitian within the state to practice Medical Nutrition Therapy.After September 1, 1966, no person shall practice medical nutrition therapy unless he or she is licensed for such purpose pursuant to the Uniform Licensing Law.
Medical Nutrition therapy means the assessment of the nutritional status of patients. It involves the assessment of patient nutritional status followed by treatment, ranging from diet modification to specialized nutritional support, such as determining nutrient needs for enteral and parenteral nutrition, and monitoring to evaluate patient response to such treatment.
After September 1, 1966, no person shall practice medical nutrition therapy unless he or she is licensed for such purpose pursuant to the Uniform Licensing Law. The practice of medical nutrition therapy shall not include:
1. Any person licensed or certified in the state and engaging in such profession or occupation for which he or she is licensed or certified;
2. Any student engaged in an academic program under the supervision of a licensed medical nutrition therapist as part of a major course of study in human nutrition, food and nutrition, or dietetics, or an equivalent major course of study and approved by the board, and who is designated with a title which clearly indicates the person’s status as a student or trainee;
3. Persons practicing medical nutrition therapy serving in the Armed Forces, the Public Health Service of the United States, or employed by the Veterans Administration from engaging in the practice of medical nutrition therapy if that practice is to that service or employment;
4. Persons practicing medical nutrition therapy who are licensed in another state, U.S. possession, or country, or have received at least a baccalaureate degree, and are in this state for the purpose of: consultation, conducting a teaching clinical demonstration;
5. Persons performing general nutrition services incidental to the practice of the profession insofar as it does not exceed the scope of practice of their education and training;
6. Persons who market or distribute food, food materials, or dietary supplements, including persons employed in health food stores, or persons engaged in the advising of the use of those products, or the preparation of those products or the counseling of individual or groups in the selection of products to meet general nutrition needs.
7. Persons conducting classes or disseminating information related to general nutrition services;
8. Persons who care for the sick in accordance with the tenets and practices of any bona fide church or religious denomination;
9. PERSONS WHO PROVIDE INFORMATION AND INSTRUCTIONS REGARDING FOOD INTAKE OR EXERCISE AS PART OF A WEIGHT CONTROL PROGRAM and;
10. Persons with advanced postgraduate degrees involved in academic teaching or research.
THIS STATE HAS STRICT LICENSURE LAWS GOVERNING MEDICAL NUTRITION THERAPY. HOWEVER, While this state allows non-licensed professionals to provide weight management and nutrition services, it is not recommended - for professional and legal reasons. Nutrition and weight management is beyond the scope of practice for allied health professionals and can result in possible harm to clients. Another serious concern is the possibility of litigation.
FOR THESE REASONS, 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 to obtain state licensure agency contact information visit www.cdrnet.org/certifications/licensure/index.htm.
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