Georgia is a Title Protection State that licenses Dietitians and qualified Nutritionists (those who have met the requirements set forth by the American Nutrition Association and reflected in this law). The NANP reminds practitioners that they may not use the protected titles of Dietitian or Nutritionist in any form unless they are licensed under this act. Use of protected titles is a Misdemeanor and punishable by fines. Note: Use of an earned, federally trademarked nutrition credential is not prohibited.
43-11A-16. Titles Protected
(a) Only a licensed dietitian or licensed nutritionist or a person authorized to engage in the practice of dietetics or the practice of nutrition under this chapter shall engage in the practice of dietetics or the practice of nutrition to the extent such services constitute medical nutrition therapy.
(b) No individual shall designate or hold himself or herself out as a licensed dietitian; use or assume the title ‘dietitian,’ ‘licensed dietitian,’ ‘dietitian nutritionist,’ or ‘dietician’; use or assume any other title indicating licensure; or append to or use in conjunction with that individual’s name the designation ‘LD’ or ‘LDN,’ unless the individual is a licensed dietitian under this chapter. No individual shall designate or hold himself or herself out as a dietitian unless the individual is licensed under this chapter or exempt as provided in Code Section 43-11A-18.
(c) No individual shall designate or hold himself or herself out as a licensed nutritionist; use or assume the title ‘licensed nutritionist’; use or assume any other title indicating licensure; or append to or use in conjunction with that individual’s name the designation ‘LN,’ unless the individual is a licensed nutritionist under this chapter. No individual shall designate or hold himself or herself out as a nutritionist unless the individual is licensed under this chapter or exempt as provided in Code Section 43-11A-18.
(d) Use of an earned, federally trademarked nutrition credential is not prohibited.
(e) Any individual violating the provisions of this Code section shall be guilty of a misdemeanor.
43-11A-18. Exemptions
Provided that the following individuals do not use titles protected under Code
Section 43-11A-16 unless otherwise authorized under this Code section, nothing in this
chapter shall be construed to affect:
(1) A supervisee who is practicing while being supervised by a qualified supervisor as
part of a course of study or a documented, continuous supervised practice experience;
provided, however, that such supervisee shall use a title that clearly indicates his or her
status as a supervisee and shall not engage in the unrestricted practice of medical nutrition
therapy;
(2) A dietitian or nutritionist serving in the armed forces of the United States or employed by any other federal agency who is using government issued titles and who is engaging in the practice of medical nutrition therapy, provided that such title use and such practice are related to such individual’s service or employment;
(3) An individual licensed to practice the profession of dentistry, medicine, osteopathy, chiropractic, nursing, or pharmacy engaging in the practice of medical nutrition therapy when incidental to the practice of his or her profession;
(4) An employee of a department, agency, or division of state, county, or local government, or an individual contracting with any of the foregoing, who is providing nutrition care services for welfare and public assistance programs under the Division of Family and Children Services of the Department of Human Services and who is authorized to provide such services within the discharge of his or her official duties;
(5) An individual who assists in the provision of medical nutrition therapy, provided that
such individual performs only support activities that are not discretionary and do not require the exercise of professional judgment for their performance and such individual is directly supervised by a licensed dietitian, licensed nutritionist, or healthcare provider licensed in this state acting within the scope of such provider’s license;
(6) An individual who provides medical weight control services for individuals with
obesity as part of:
(A) An instructional program that has been approved in writing by a licensed dietitian,
licensed nutritionist, or healthcare provider licensed in this state whose authorized
scope of practice includes medical nutrition therapy; or
(B) A plan of care that is overseen by a healthcare provider licensed in this state whose
scope of practice otherwise authorizes such provider to provide and delegate medical
nutrition therapy; provided, however, that the medical weight control services are not
discretionary and do not require the exercise of professional judgment;
(7) An individual who disseminates nonindividualized, written, general nutrition information in connection with the marketing and distribution of dietary supplements, food, herbs, or food materials, including, but not limited to, explanations of their federally regulated label claims, any known drug-nutrient interactions, their role in various diets, or suggestions as how to best use and combine them; provided, however, that such information does not constitute medical nutrition therapy;
(8) An individual engaged in the practice of the tenets of any religion, sect, or denomination; provided, however, that such individual does not provide nor represent himself or herself as qualified to engage in medical nutrition therapy;
(9) An individual who provides individualized nutrition recommendations for general health and wellness and the prevention of chronic disease, health coaching, holistic and wellness education, guidance, motivation, behavior change management, services for nonmedical weight control, or other nutrition care services, provided that such services do not constitute medical nutrition therapy;
(10) An individual who is an operator or employee of a health food store or business that sells health products, including dietary supplements, food, herbs, or food materials, and who provides verbal general nonmedical nutrition information that does not constitute medical nutrition therapy; or
(11) A healthcare practitioner not located in this state who provides medical nutrition therapy via telehealth to a patient located in this state, provided that such practitioner is a healthcare practitioner licensed or certified in good standing with a scope of practice that includes the provision of medical nutrition therapy and has a practitioner-patient relationship with a patient who is temporarily located in this state; has a practitioner-patient relationship with a patient who is located in this state and such care is limited to temporary or short-term follow-up medical nutrition therapy to ensure continuity of care; or is in consultation with a healthcare practitioner who has a practitioner-patient relationship with the patient.