Tennessee

Summary

Tennessee licenses only dietitians as licensed dietitians or licensed nutritionists under an exclusive scope of practice model. Individuals must have completed requirements aligned with the Registered Dietitian pathway in order to qualify for licensure. This law does not apply to other specified licensed health care professionals who have nutrition specified in their scope of practice. Only licensed individuals may use the titles “licensed dietitian”, “dietitian”, or “LD”.

Special State of Emergency Summary:

Out of state licensed practitioners are authorized to practice in TN if assisting in the medical response to CV-19, which may include treating routine or other medical conditions. Practitioners wishing to practice under this provision must apply to the Department of Health. https://publications.tnsosfiles.com/pub/execorders/exec-orders-lee15.pdf

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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 study approved by the board.
  • Experience: Successful completion of a planned continuous preprofessional experience in nutrition practice of at least 900 hours under the supervision of a registered dietitian or successful completion of a program of supervised clinical experience as recognized by the Commission on Dietetic Registration (CDR) of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics (AND).
  • 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.