Legislative Affairs > State Laws

Missouri

Missouri licenses dietitians who perform “medical nutrition therapy” and protects the titles “dietitian” or the abbreviations “L.D.” or “L.D.N.”

Holistic Nutrition Professionals may now work with clients to provide individualized advice, counseling, and evaluations concerning food, diet, or nutrition. You may not refer to yourself nor imply that you are licensed or certified by the state or use the title dietitian, dietitian nutritionist, or nutritionist unless you are a licensed dietitian or nutritionist meeting the qualifications set forth in the Dietitian Practice Act.

A new stipulation will require that holistic nutrition professionals provide a full disclosure document to their clients before working with them. The information must include:

  1. The person’s name and title;
  2. The person’s business address and telephone number;
  3. A statement that the person is not a dietitian licensed by the state of Missouri;
  4. A statement that the information provided or advice given may be considered alternative care by licensed practitioners in the state of Missouri; and
  5. The person’s qualifications for providing such information or advice, including educational background, training, and experience”.

 

EXEMPTIONS:

Sections 324.200 to 324.225 “Dietitian Practice Act.”

324.206.

  1. As long as the person involved does not represent or hold himself or herself out as a dietitian as defined by subdivision (4) of subsection 2 of section 324.200, nothing in sections 324.200 to 324.225 is intended to limit, preclude, or otherwise interfere with:
    1. Self-care by a person or gratuitous care by a friend or family member;
    2. Persons in the military services or working in federal facilities from performing any activities described in sections 324.200 to 324.225 during the course of their assigned duties in the military service or a federal facility;
    3. A licensed health care provider performing any activities described in sections 324.200 to 324.225 that are within the scope of practice of the licensee;
    4. A person pursuing an approved educational program leading to a degree or certificate in dietetics at an accredited or approved educational program as long as such person does not provide dietetic services outside the educational program. Such person shall be designated by a title that clearly indicates the person’s status as a student;
    5. Individuals who do not hold themselves out as dietitians marketing or distributing food products including dietary supplements as defined by the Food and Drug Administration or engaging in the explanation and education of customers regarding the use of such products;
    6. Any person furnishing general nutrition information as to the use of food, food materials, or dietary supplements, nor prevent in any way the free dissemination of literature;
    7. A person credentialed in the field of nutrition from providing advice, counseling, or evaluations in matters of food, diet, or nutrition to the extent such acts are within the scope of practice listed by the credentialing body and do not constitute medical nutrition therapy; provided, however, no such individual may call himself or herself a dietitian unless he or she is licensed under this chapter.
  2. A credentialed person not representing or holding himself or herself out as a dietitian, who performs any of the acts or services listed in subsection 1 of this section, shall provide, prior to performing such act or service for another, the following:
    1. The person’s name and title;
    2. The person’s business address and telephone number;
    3. A statement that the person is not a dietitian licensed by the state of Missouri;
    4. A statement that the information provided or advice given may be considered alternative care by licensed practitioners in the state of Missouri; and
    5. The person’s qualifications for providing such information or advice, including educational background, training, and experience.

Source: Missouri Dietitian Practice Act Title 22, Chapter 324, Sections 324.200 to 324.225

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