Mississippi 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.

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Statute and Regulation Details

Background info and terminology

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

§ 73-10-9. Applicant qualifications; fee

(1) An applicant for a license as a dietitian shall file a written application on forms provided by the board, showing to the satisfaction of the board that he or she meets the following requirement.

(2) Applicants shall provide evidence of current registration as a registered dietitian by the Commission on Dietetic Registration.

(3) Applicants shall pay a fee as established by the board. Any increase in the fee charged by the board under this subsection shall be in accordance with the provisions of Section 41-3-65.

(4) Each application or filing made under this section shall include the social security number(s) of the applicant in accordance with Section 93-11-64.

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

§ 73-10-15. Practice by nonresident dietitian; reciprocity

(1) A nonresident dietitian may practice dietetics in Mississippi for five (5) days per year with current other state's licensure or with current registration with the Commission on Dietetics Registration.

(2) The board may waive the prescribed examination for licensure and grant a license to any person who shall present proof of current licensure as a dietitian in another state, the District of Columbia, or territory of the United States which requires standards for licensure considered by the advisory council to be greater than or equal to the requirements for licensure of this chapter, if such state or territory extends reciprocity to licensees of the State of Mississippi. The issuance of a license by reciprocity to a military-trained applicant or military spouse shall be subject to the provisions of Section 73-50-1.

Temporary/Provisional Licensure (or Certification)

§73-10-11. Provisional License; Fee

(1) The board may issue a provisional license to any resident dietitian who presents evidence to the advisory council of the successful completion of the education and experience requirements of subsections (2) and (3) of this section for licensure. Such a provisional license may be issued to such a person before he or she has taken the examination to become a registered dietitian as given by the Commission on Dietetic Registration (CDR). A provisional license may be issued for a period not exceeding one (1) year and may be renewed from year to year not to exceed five (5) years.

(2) An applicant for provisional licensure as a dietitian shall present evidence satisfactory to the board of having received a baccalaureate or post-baccalaureate degree from a college or university accredited through the United States Department of Education, Office of Postsecondary Education, with a major in dietetics or an equivalent major course of study as approved by the board.

(3) An applicant for licensure as a dietitian shall submit to the board evidence of having successfully completed a board approved planned program of dietetics experience under the supervision of a licensed or registered dietician.

(4) A provisional license shall permit the holder to practice only under the direct technical supervision of a dietitian.

(5) A fee for a provisional license and for each renewal shall be established by the board. Any increase in the fee charged by the board under this subsection shall be in accordance with the provisions of Section 41-3-65.

Exceptions/Exemptions

§73-10-13. Exemptions

This chapter shall not be construed to affect or prevent:

(a) A student enrolled in an approved academic program in dietetics from engaging in the practice of dietetics, if such practice constitutes a part of a supervised course of study, and if the student is designated by a title which clearly indicates his or her status as a student or trainee.

(b) Any person fulfilling the experience requirements of Section 73-10-11(3) from engaging in the practice of dietetics under the supervision of a licensed or registered dietician.

(c) A registered dietitian who is serving in the Armed Forces or the Public Health Service of the United States or is employed by the Department of Veterans Affairs from engaging in the practice of dietetics provided such practice is restricted to such service or employment.

(d) Any person providing dietetic services, including but not limited to dietetic technicians, dietetic assistants and dietary managers, from practicing dietetics while working under the direct technical supervision of a licensed dietician.

(e) Persons licensed or registered to practice the health professions from engaging in the practice of dietetics when covered under the scope of practice of his or her profession, except that such persons may not use the title "dietitian" or "nutritionist."

(f) Persons who perform the activities and services of a nutrition educator in the employ of a federal, state, county or municipal agency, or another political subdivision, or a chartered elementary or secondary school or accredited degree-granting educational institution insofar as such activities and services are part of a salaried position.

(g) Federal, state, county or local government employees involved with programs providing the services of a nutrition educator that help to prevent disease and maintain good nutritional health, including, but not limited to, the Cooperative Extension Service, the Child Nutrition Program, and Project Head Start.

(h) Individuals who do not hold themselves out to be dietitians from marketing or distributing food products including dietary supplements as defined by the Food and Drug Administration or from engaging in the explanation and education of customers regarding the use of such products.

(i) Any person from 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; provided, however, no such individual may call themselves a dietitian unless they are licensed under this chapter.

Updated August 2023

Disclaimer: This page is not intended to constitute legal or career advice. All information, content and materials are for general informational purposes only and may not represent the most up-to-date legal or other information. This website contains links to other third-party websites, which are only for the convenience of the reader, user or browser. The Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics and its members do not recommend or endorse the contents of the third-party sites, nor does such information necessarily constitute a legally binding interpretation of state policy. The ultimate authority to interpret each state's requirements is the licensing board or agency of that state.