Florida licenses dietitians and nutritionists. The titles: “Dietitian,” “Nutritionist,” “Nutrition Counselor,” “L.D.,” “L.N.,” “L.N.C.,” “or any other words, letters, abbreviations, or insignia that indicate or imply that he or she is a dietitian, nutritionist, or nutrition counselor, or otherwise hold himself or herself out as such.” Florida does have exemptions for providing nutrition services that are not defined as Medical Nutrition Therapy.
468.505 Exemptions; exceptions.
(1) Nothing in this part may be construed as prohibiting or restricting the practice, services, or activities of:
(n) Any person who provides information, wellness recommendations, or advice concerning nutrition, or who markets food, food materials, or dietary supplements for remuneration, if such person does not provide such services to a person under the direct care and supervision of a medical doctor for a disease or medical condition requiring nutrition intervention, not including obesity or weight loss, and does not represent himself or herself as a dietitian, licensed dietitian, registered dietitian, nutritionist, licensed nutritionist, nutrition counselor, or licensed nutrition counselor, or use any word, letter, symbol, or insignia indicating or implying that he or she is a dietitian, nutritionist, or nutrition counselor.
While holistic nutrition professionals may provide recommendations within their scope of practice to individuals and groups of people, you must be thorough during your initial discovery call with a prospective client. A stipulation in the law prevents practitioners from working with a client under the direct care of a medical doctor for a diagnosed disease or medical condition in which nutrition intervention has been prescribed as part of the Treatment Plan. NANP urges practitioners in Florida to gather detailed information about the prospective client, including their medical history, current medical providers, diagnoses from medical providers, and if they have been prescribed nutrition interventions by any licensed medical provider. If this is the case, you may not work with this client and should refer them to a licensed medical provider.
Florida Statutes, Chapter 468, Dietetics and Nutrition Practice Act
