Ohio Licensure Law
In 1998 Ohio ameded its statues and passed a licensure law which regulates and defines the scope of practice in dietetics. Ohio has one of the strictest licensure laws (along with N.C.) in the U.S. An individual must be licensed as a dietitian within the state to practice dietetics.The practice of dietetics means: nutritional assessment to determine nutritional needs and to recommend appropriate nutrition intake, including enteral and parenteral nutrition; Nutritional counseling or education as components of preventive, curative, and restorative health care; Development, administration, evaluation, and consultation regarding nutritional care standards.
Exemptions:
1.Supervision of a person claiming exemption (see section 4759-5-01 of the Laws and Rules governing the Practice of Dietetics in the State of Ohio (page 21).
2. Supervision of others (see 4759-5-03 01 of the Laws and Rules governing the Practice of Dietetics in the State of Ohio (page 22).
3. Additional Nutritional Activities. The board permits the woman, infant, and children’s program which is part of the Ohio Department of Health and known as “W.I.C.”. (see 4759-5-04 01 of the Laws and Rules governing the Practice of Dietetics in the State of Ohio (page 21).
4. Weight Control Programs. A “General Program of Instruction for weight control” is defined as a general program of instruction with food, supplements, food products, or a food plan designed for one or more healthy population groups in order to achieve or maintain a healthy weight. A general program of weight control is not based on an individual nutritional assessment and does not provide Medical Nutrition therapy to manage, treat, or rehabilitate a medical condition, illness, or injury for a specific person or group as defined in chapter 4759-2-01 of the Code. A person presenting a general program of instruction for weight control need not be a licensed dietitian provided that general program of weight control is APPROVED IN WRITING BY A LICENSED DIETITIAN, LICENSED PHYSICIAN, OR A REGISTERED DIETITIAN. The program is effective only as long as there are no changes to the originally approved program and should be reviewed for approval not more than two years from original approval.
THIS STATE HAS ONE OF THE STRICTEST LICENSURE LAWS IN THE COUNTRY. IT IS ILLEGAL TO PROVIDE ANY NUTRITION SERVICES WITHOUT THE APPROVAL AND CONTINUED MONITORING 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.
