It’s official, Governor Lee of Tennessee signed legislation that will update a law that was almost 40 years old. NANP Legislative Affairs is pleased to share exciting news for our profession and the people we serve!

With the passage of HB2029 and SB2579, holistic nutrition professionals will now be able to work more clearly and confidently within their Scope of Practice. This legislation becomes effective on July 1, 2026, and modernizes the state’s nutrition law, codifies our Scope of Practice, and represents a significant step forward in access to safe, effective, and personalized nutrition services.

The bill, sponsored by Representative Faison and Senator Harshbarger, was filed for introduction on January 22, 2026, and received its final unanimous vote in the Tennessee Senate on April 21, 2026, a remarkable achievement within a single legislative session.

Since 2019, NANP Legislative Affairs has been working to advance legislation that protects public health while recognizing the valuable role holistic nutrition professionals play in supporting wellness and preventive health care.

This new law includes a series of exemptions to licensure that clarify who may provide nutrition-related services in Tennessee. Most importantly, it formally recognizes that qualified professionals may provide individualized nutrition recommendations for wellness and the primary prevention of chronic disease, along with health coaching, holistic and wellness education, behavior change support, and other non-medical nutrition services, so long as these services do not constitute Medical Nutrition Therapy (MNT) and protected titles are not used.

Key provisions of the law include:

• Allowing individuals working within government programs such as WIC to provide nutrition services within their official roles
• Authorizing the dissemination of general, non-individualized nutrition information related to foods, supplements, and dietary practices
• Recognizing the use of federally trademarked nutrition credentials when not using protected titles or practicing medical nutrition therapy
• Most importantly, allowing holistic nutrition professionals to provide individualized, non-medical nutrition services focused on wellness and prevention.

The law preserves important consumer protections by maintaining that only licensed dietitians and licensed nutritionists may provide Medical Nutrition Therapy and use protected titles.

This is an enormous step forward in ensuring that holistic nutrition professionals can do what they do best: empowering clients through food, lifestyle, and education.

The NANP is proud to have worked alongside Tennessee stakeholders, our dedicated bill sponsors, and our Tennessee advocates to make this possible, and we look forward to supporting you as this law is implemented.

Together, we have made history for holistic nutrition professionals in Tennessee, and for the people who will benefit from expanded access to holistic, prevention-focused nutrition care. The future of holistic nutrition in Tennessee is bright!