District of Columbia Statutes

Medical nutrition therapy is a medical treatment. Like other non-physician practitioners providing medical treatments, registered dietitian nutritionists generally can practice MNT because of licensure and certification laws, which provide authority for RDNs to provide this medical service. It is with this understanding that the Academy strongly recommends — unless there is an applicable exception or exemption or a state does not provide for licensure or certification requirements — practitioners hold licensure or certification in all states where the practitioner's clients or patients are located when services are provided.

Links to State Boards, Statutes and Regulations

Statute and Regulation Details

Background info and terminology

Licensure (or Certification) by Endorsement of RDN Credential/Exemptions

§ 3–1205.07. Reciprocity and endorsement.

(a) For the purposes of this section, the term:

(1) "Endorsement" means the process of issuing a license, registration, or certification to an applicant who is licensed, registered, certified, or accredited by an accrediting association or a state board and recognized by the Board as a qualified professional according to standards that were the substantial equivalent at the time of the licensing, registration, certification, or accreditation to the standards for that profession set forth in this chapter and who has continually remained in good standing with the licensing, registering, certifying, or accrediting association or state board from the date of licensure, registration, certification, or accreditation until the date of licensure, registration, or certification in the District.

(2) "Reciprocity" means the process of issuing a license, registration, or certification to an applicant who is licensed, registered, or certified and in good standing under the laws of another state with requirements that, in the opinion of the Board, were substantially equivalent at the time of licensure, registration, or certification to the requirements of this chapter, and that state admits health professionals licensed, registered, or certified in the District of Columbia in a like manner.

(b) Each board shall issue a license, registration, or certification to an applicant who qualifies by reciprocity or endorsement and who pays the applicable fees established by the Mayor.

4402 EDUCATIONAL AND EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENTS (Regulations)

4402.3 An applicant who provides evidence of current registration as a registered dietitian with the Commission on Dietetic Registration of the American dietetic Association (CDRADA) shall be deemed to have met the education and experience requirements of this section.

4404 NATIONAL EXAMINATION (Regulations)

4404.3 An applicant who provides written verification of current registration as a registered dietitian from CDRADA shall be deemed to have met the requirements.

Licensure (or Certification) by Reciprocity or Endorsement of Another License

§ 3–1205.07. Reciprocity and endorsement.

(a) For the purposes of this section, the term:

(1) "Endorsement" means the process of issuing a license, registration, or certification to an applicant who is licensed, registered, certified, or accredited by an accrediting association or a state board and recognized by the Board as a qualified professional according to standards that were the substantial equivalent at the time of the licensing, registration, certification, or accreditation to the standards for that profession set forth in this chapter and who has continually remained in good standing with the licensing, registering, certifying, or accrediting association or state board from the date of licensure, registration, certification, or accreditation until the date of licensure, registration, or certification in the District.

(2) "Reciprocity" means the process of issuing a license, registration, or certification to an applicant who is licensed, registered, or certified and in good standing under the laws of another state with requirements that, in the opinion of the Board, were substantially equivalent at the time of licensure, registration, or certification to the requirements of this chapter, and that state admits health professionals licensed, registered, or certified in the District of Columbia in a like manner.

(b) Each board shall issue a license, registration, or certification to an applicant who qualifies by reciprocity or endorsement and who pays the applicable fees established by the Mayor. Temporary/Provisional Licensure (or Certification)

§ 3–1205.08a. Temporary license

A board may issue a temporary license, registration, or certification to an applicant for a fixed period of time, under conditions prescribed by the Mayor through rulemaking, who is licensed, registered, or certified and in good standing to practice in another jurisdiction

Exceptions/Exemptions

§ 3–1205.02. Exemptions.

(a) The provisions of this chapter prohibiting the practice of a health occupation without a District of Columbia license, registration, or certification shall not apply:

(1) To an individual who administers treatment or provides advice in any case of emergency;

(2) To an individual employed in the District by the federal government, while he or she is acting in the official discharge of the duties of employment;

(2A) To an individual engaged in the practice of pharmaceutical detailing for less than 30 consecutive days per calendar year;

(3) To an individual, licensed, registered, or certified to practice a health occupation in a state, who is providing care to an individual, an animal, or group for a limited period of time, or who is called from a state in professional consultation by or on behalf of a specific patient, animal, or client to visit, examine, treat, or provide advice regarding the specific patient, animal, or client in the District, or to give a demonstration of a procedure or clinic in the District; provided, that the individual engages in the provision of care, consultation, demonstration, or clinic in affiliation with a comparable health professional licensed, registered, or certified pursuant to this chapter;

(3A) To an individual retained to testify as an expert witness in any court or administrative proceeding, hearing, or trial;

(4) To a health professional who is authorized to practice a health occupation in any state adjoining the District who treats patients in the District if:

(A) The health professional does not have an office or other regularly appointed place in the District to meet patients;

(B) The health professional registers with the appropriate board and pays the registration fee prescribed by the board prior to practicing in the District; and

(C) The state in which the individual is licensed allows individuals licensed by the District in that particular health profession to practice in that state under the conditions set forth in this section.

(b) Notwithstanding the provisions of subparagraphs (A), (B), and (C) of subsection (a)(4) of this section, a health professional practicing in the District pursuant to subsection (a)(4) of this section shall not see patients, animals, or clients in the office or other place of practice of a District licensee, or otherwise circumvent the provisions of this chapter.

Updated August 2023

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