We have confirmed that Governor Kemp has signed “A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend Title 43 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to professions and businesses, so as to repeal and reenact Chapter 11A, the “Dietetics Practice Act”.
After five years of unwavering dedication, we are proud to share a historic milestone for holistic nutrition professionals in the State of Georgia, and for the National Association of Nutrition Professionals. As the Legislative Affairs Specialist for the NANP, I share this moment that feels both surreal and profoundly meaningful.
On March 18, 2026, at 12:42 PM EST, HB185 officially passed in the state of Georgia.
This achievement represents far more than the passage of a bill, far more than a policy change; it is the culmination of years of persistence, unwavering support, and a belief that never fully faded, even during the hardest moments. There were times during this journey that the path forward felt impossibly narrow. I have sat through hearings and Sine Die (end of legislative session) announcements, knowing we were just one Senate floor vote away from passage, only to watch the opportunity slip through our hands. Those moments brought real disappointment, and yes, many tears.
But we kept going, and the Passage of HB185 changed that.
For over 30 years, Georgia has operated as an exclusive Scope of Practice state, offering only one pathway to licensure, restricting who can legally provide nutrition services, limiting holistic nutrition professionals’ ability to work up to their level of education, and preventing them from serving their communities.
This legislative victory was a true labor of love for NANP Legislative Affairs and would not have been possible without the steadfast support, engagement, and belief of our advocates, external stakeholders, and of course our bill sponsors. In a state with a fast-paced 40-day legislative session, where timing is everything, we successfully passed this bill on Day 33 after years of effort, collaboration, amendments, and revisions. Everything finally aligned. When this journey began, I was told it could not be done. On March 18, 2026, we proved that it could.
Today, we celebrate five years of perseverance to codify the Scope of Practice for holistic nutrition professionals in Georgia. The long days, longer nights, and moments of frustration were all part of a process that ultimately led to meaningful change. This success was made possible through collaboration with dedicated partners, advocates, and organizations who shared our vision.
March 18, 2026, will stand as a defining moment in our profession, a testament to what is possible when a committed community comes together with purpose and resolve.
This victory belongs to all of us. I share this with immense gratitude, pride, and emotion. This has been one of the most challenging and rewarding journeys of my career, and I am honored to have seen it through.
View the new Georgia language HERE.