California Nutrition Regulation

Disclaimer: This post is not to be interpreted as legal advice (since we’re not lawyers). It can be pretty confusing to understand legal meanings when people say that there is no licensure for dietitians in California. There is legal regulation. Here’s a quote from the law:

(a)(1) Notwithstanding any other law, a registered dietitian, or other nutritional professional meeting the qualifications set forth in subdivision (e) of Section 2585 may, upon referral by a health care provider authorized to prescribe dietary treatments, provide nutritional and dietary counseling, conduct nutritional and dietary assessments, and develop and recommend nutritional and dietary treatments, including therapeutic diets, for individuals or groups of patients in licensed institutional facilities or in private office settings.  The referral for medical nutrition therapy shall be accompanied by a written prescription signed by the health care provider detailing the patient’s diagnosis and including either a statement of the desired objective of dietary treatment or a diet order.  The registered dietitian, or other nutritional professional meeting the qualifications set forth in subdivision (e) of Section 2585 , may perform nutritional assessments and initiate nutritional interventions within the parameters of the prescribed diet order pursuant to a licensed health care facility’s approved nutrition screening policy and procedure.  The registered dietitian, or other nutritional professional meeting the qualifications set forth in subdivision (e) of Section 2585 , shall collaborate with a multidisciplinary team, which shall include the treating physician and the registered nurse, in developing the patient’s nutrition care plan.  Unless otherwise stated in the diet order by a patient’s provider, the registered dietitian, or other nutritional professional meeting the qualifications set forth in subdivision (e) of Section 2585 , may individualize the patient’s nutritional or dietary treatment when necessary, by modifying the distribution, type, or quantity of food and nutrients within the parameters of the diet order.  Any modification, and the rationale for the modification, shall be documented in the patient’s record for review by the practitioner, or other licensed health care professional, who is legally authorized to prescribe and is responsible for the care of the patient.  Nothing in this subdivision shall be construed to authorize a registered dietitian, or other nutritional professional meeting the qualifications set forth in subdivision (e) of Section 2585 , to order or administer a central vein or peripheral vein nutrition.

California Code, Business and Professions Code – BPC § 2585

Referrals

This has been interpreted as a requirement for dietitians to have a medical referral in hand prior to providing any dietary advice to clients in the state.

You can find the exact wording of the state law here: California Code, Business and Professions Code – BPC § 2585 | FindLaw