Virginia

Summary

Virginia provides title protection only for dietitians and nutritionists with specified qualifications. Only these individuals may use the titles: "dietitian" or "nutritionist" alone or in conjunction with "licensed," "registered," or "certified." However, there is no state certification or title protection requirement for providing nutrition care.

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Practice Act/Statute Regulatory Body

Qualification Requirements for State Licensure or State Certification:
  • Academic: A bachelor's or higher degree in nutritional sciences, community nutrition, public health nutrition, food and nutrition, dietetics or human nutrition from a regionally accredited institution.
  • Experience: Successful completion of a program of supervised clinical experience approved by the Commission on Dietetic Registration (CDR) of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics (AND), or evidence of registration as a Registered Dietitian with the Commission on Dietetic Registration (CDR); evidence of certification as a Certified Nutrition Specialist (CNS) with the Board for Certification of Nutrition Specialists (BCNS), or as a Diplomate of the American Clinical Board of Nutrition (DACBN).
  • Examination: Evidence of registration as a Registered Dietitian with the Commission on Dietetic Registration (CDR); evidence of certification as a Certified Nutrition Specialist (CNS) with the Board for Certification of Nutrition Specialists (BCNS), or as a Diplomate of the American Clinical Board of Nutrition (DACBN).

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