Summary

Iowa licenses only dietitians under an exclusive scope of practice model. An individual must complete requirements aligned with the Registered Dietitian pathway in order to qualify for licensure. Only a licensed dietitian can provide therapeutic nutrition care including: assessment, goal setting, counseling, or advice. Licensed physicians and surgeons, nurses, chiropractors, dentists, dental hygienists, pharmacists or physical therapists who make dietetic or nutritional assessments, or give dietetic or nutritional advice in the normal practice of their profession or as otherwise authorized by law are exempt from the licensure law. There is an additional exemption for those providing certain nutrition-related education and information.

Click the buttons below to read the state statute and rules, or to navigate to the state regulatory entity's website.

Practice Act/Statute Rules & Regulations Regulatory Body

Qualification Requirements for State Licensure or State Certification:

• Academic: A bachelor's or higher degree from a regionally accredited institution with a major course of study in human nutrition, food and nutrition, dietetics, or food systems management, or an equivalent major course of minimum academic requirements as established by the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics (AND) and approved by the board.
• Experience: Completion of an an accredited competency-based supervised experience program approved by the Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics (ACEND) of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics (AND) and approved by the board.
• Examination: The Registered Dietitian (RD) examination established by the Commission on Dietetic Registration (CDR)

Disclaimer: This is a preliminary interpretation of language of state statutes and regulations, and cannot substitute for legal counsel.