Ohio is an Exclusive Scope of Practice State. Ohio law requires a license to provide nutrition care, and only dietitians may obtain a license. The law is very restrictive, and holistic nutrition professionals may not assess an individual’s or groups’ nutritional needs. The law protects the title of the dietitian and states: “no person shall practice, offer to practice, or hold self forth to practice dietetics unless the person has been licensed under section 4759.06 of the Revised Code.”
EXEMPTIONS:
Sections 4759.01 to 4759.08 of the Revised Code do not apply to any of the following:
(G) The free dissemination of literature in the state;
(H) Provided that the persons involved in the sale, promotion, or explanation of the sale of food, food materials, or dietary supplements do not violate division (B) of section 4759.02 of the Revised Code, the sale of food, food materials, or dietary supplements and the marketing and distribution of food, food materials, or dietary supplements and the promotion or explanation of the use of food, food materials, or dietary supplements provided that the promotion or explanation does not violate Chapter 1345. of the Revised Code;
(I) A person who offers dietary supplements for sale and who makes the following statements about the product if the statements are consistent with the dietary supplement’s label or labeling:
(1) Claim a benefit related to a classical nutrient deficiency disease and disclose the prevalence of the disease in the United States;
(2) Describe the role of a nutrient or dietary ingredient intended to affect the structure or function of the human body;
(3) Characterize the documented mechanism by which a nutrient or dietary ingredient acts to maintain the structure or function of the human body;
(4) Describe general well-being from the consumption of a nutrient or dietary ingredient.
(J) Provided that the persons involved in presenting a general program of instruction for weight control do not violate division (B) of section 4759.02 of the Revised Code, a general program of instruction for weight control approved in writing by a licensed dietitian, a physician licensed under Chapter 4731.
Recap of Exemptions: Ohio law will allow holistic nutrition professionals to work under a licensed health care professional as a W-2 employee. You may provide general non-medical nutrition information to individuals and groups on the consumption of food or dietary supplements. Holistic nutrition professionals may also provide nutrition services and information related to non-medical nutrition if employed as a nutritional educator for the federal, state, county government, elementary or secondary school, or an accredited institution of higher education.
Source: Title 47, Chapter 4759
