(a) It is unlawful for any person to engage in the practice of dietetics/nutrition, to act or represent such person to be a dietitian or a nutritionist or to use such titles as “dietitian/nutritionist,” “licensed dietitian,” “licensed nutritionist,” or such letters as “L.D.,” “L.N.,” or any facsimile thereof, or any word, letters or title indicating or implying that such person is a dietitian/nutritionist, unless such person holds a license and otherwise complies with this chapter and the rules and regulations adopted by the board.
Person: includes a corporation, firm, company or association. See Tennessee Code 1-3-105
State: when applied to the different parts of the United States, includes the District of Columbia and the several territories of the United States. See Tennessee Code 1-3-105
United States: includes the District of Columbia and the several territories of the United States. See Tennessee Code 1-3-105
(b) Nothing in this chapter shall be construed to affect, prevent or restrict:
(1) Persons qualified and licensed to practice other health professions from engaging in the practice of dietetics/nutrition when incidental to the practice of their profession. This chapter shall in no way apply to persons licensed to practice medicine or osteopathic medicine pursuant to chapters 6 and 9 of this title;(2) Students enrolled in an approved academic program in dietetics, if such practice constitutes a part of a supervised course of study and such student is designated by title clearly indicating such student’s status as a student or trainee;(3) A dietitian serving in the armed forces or the public health service of the United States or employed by the veterans administration from engaging in the practice of dietetics; provided, that such practice is related to such service or employment;(4) Persons performing the activities and services of a nutrition educator in the employment of a federal, state, county or municipal agency or an elementary or secondary school or accredited degree granting educational institution, insofar as such activities and services are part of a salaried position;(5) Federal, state, county or local employees involved with nutrition-related programs, including, but not limited to, the cooperative extension service, child nutrition programs and Project Headstart from engaging in the practice of dietetics/nutrition within the discharge of their official duties; provided, that any such person engaging in dietetic/nutrition practice outside the scope of such official duty must be licensed as provided in this section;(6) Persons employed in a hospital or nursing home as defined in § 68-11-201 and subject to licensure by the Tennessee board for licensing health care facilities; or(7)(A) Persons who do not hold themselves out to be licensed and/or registered dietitians/nutritionists of the right to provide services and information related to nonmedical nutrition while:
(1) Employed by or operating a health weight loss or fitness program;(2) Employed by or operating a health food store;(3) Employed by or operating a business that sells health products, including dietary supplements, food or food materials, or provides nonmedical nutritional information or distributes nutritional literature; or(4) Conducting classes or disseminating information related to non-medical nutrition.(B) “Nonmedical” means engaging in any practice that does not constitute the practice of medicine, osteopathy, chiropractic, dentistry or podiatry.
