Licensure

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Licensure
Professional Title Protection
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Title Protection Across the U.S.
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Licensure

• Arizona is one of four states without any
  regulations.
• AZ, CO, NJ, WY
• Certification minimal regulation
• The most useful regulation is licensure
• Licensure with just title protection
• Licensure that includes title protection and
  scope of practice. Regulates the practice of
  Medical Nutrition Therapy.

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Why Seek Licensure for RDs?

• Protect the public
• Registration only ensures competency of those who
  are registered.
• State regulation (licensure) of the practice of
  nutrition and dietetics would make it illegal to
  provide those services without proper education
  and qualifications.
• Goal to protect consumers without restricting the
  practice of RDs or other healthcare professionals
  practicing under their own licensed scope of
  practice.

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Why Seek Licensure for RDs?

• Federal statutes define the registered dietitian
  as the qualified provider of medical nutrition
  therapy (MNT).
• Use of titles such as dietitian and
  nutritionist are currently not protected in
  this state. Thus, Primary Care Providers (MDs,
  DOs, NPs) may be making referrals to potentially
  unqualified individuals and not even know it.
• Licensure statutes would require the licensed
  nutrition provider to meet specific education and
  credentialing requirements in order to provide
  MNT.

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Why Seek Licensure for RDs?

• Enhance professionalism.
• Add value and visibility to the RD credential.
  How many times have you been asked what is the
  difference b/w RD and nutritionist? General
  public do not know there is a difference.
• Can you think of any other respected healthcare
  provider that is not licensed?
• It is up to us to protect our profession, no one
  will do it for us. Need to ensure the future of
  our profession.

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Dispelling the Myths

• Myth all nutritionists are equally qualified
  to provide nutrition products and services.
• There are generally two types or tiers of
  nutrition services.
• First tier - general or basic nutrition advice
  goal promotion of good health. Many individuals,
  with or without, nutrition education provide such
  services throughout the country.
• Second tier MNT - individualized assessment,
  evaluation of needs, intervention (diet
  prescription and counseling, TF, TPN,
  supplementation) and follow up. Requires
  specialized training and experience.

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Dispelling the Myths

• Myth States that require licensure of dietitians
  impede businesses that sell health foods, health
  products and dietary supplements.
• The states that currently have licensure
  explicitly exclude these businesses from the
  scope of application. However, does not mean
  that sales clerks can practice MNT.
• Businesses are not hindered from selling health
  foods, supplements, or providing nutritional
  literature.

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Dispelling the Myths

• Myth Dietetics licensure laws keep some people
  from practicing their religions.
• There have been no incidents to support such
  claims.
• Some states have included provisions to protect
  rights of individuals that offer diet advice
  based on religion.

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Dispelling the Myths

• Myth all nutrition credentials are the same.
• There are currently a plethora of nutrition
  credentials available. Some are granted after
  only a weekend course and may sound official.
  Some only need to pay a fee.
• Wide variation (basic to highly specialized
  expertise) key reason for licensure to protect
  public

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Dispelling the Myths

• Myth registered dietitians seek licensure to
  gain a competitive advantage
• Primary goal is to ensure competency.
• It is the competency that provides the
  competitive advantage.

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Where are we now?

• AZDA has formed a licensure committee.
• Looking to the future of our profession in our
  state.
• Links to learn more
• Go to www.eatright.org and search dietetics
  licensure