Skip to main content

Licensure Protects the Public


Professional Licensing Protects Consumers

Our consumer protection efforts ensure that consumers are able to identify and access qualified professionals who demonstrate the knowledge, skill and competency necessary to provide safe and ethical nutrition therapy. As the public increasingly understands the importance of good nutrition, some individuals without any formal education, training or expertise in human nutrition or dietetics are exploiting this newly recognized market.

  • Issue Brief
  • Leave Behind

States' professional licensing laws help consumers identify who is a qualified practitioner to provide a particular set of specified services, known as the profession's scope of practice. Some individuals are not qualified for licensure because they lack the objective accredited education, experience and examination demonstrating their competency to provide services within the regulated profession's scope of practice. The Academy shares elected officials' interest in supporting licensure to prevent harm for our communities, workplaces, families and friends. This means protecting against unsafe or inaccurate nutrition counseling or interventions that may lead to poor or even dangerous health outcomes — and unnecessary, expensive products or services.

Join the Academy

Members of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics receive exciting benefits including complimentary continuing professional education opportunities, discounts on events and products in eatrightSTORE.org, invitations to exclusive members-only events and more!

Please log in to access this page.

This content is an exclusive benefit for Academy members. If you are a member of the Academy, log in for immediate access! Not yet a member? Unlock benefits, tools, resources and discounts by joining today.