Missouri 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

324.210. Qualifications of applicant for licensure — examination required, exception.

1. An applicant for licensure as a dietitian shall be at least twenty-one years of age.

2. Each applicant shall furnish evidence to the committee that: (1) The applicant has completed a didactic program in dietetics which is approved or accredited by the Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics and a minimum of a baccalaureate degree from an acceptable educational institution accredited by a regional accrediting body or accredited by an accrediting body which has been approved by the United States Department of Education. Applicants who have obtained their education outside of the United States and its territories must have their academic degrees validated as equivalent to the baccalaureate or master's degree conferred by a regionally accredited college or university in the United States. Validation of a foreign degree does not eliminate the need for a verification statement of completion of a didactic program in dietetics;

(2) The applicant has completed a supervised practice requirement from an institution that is certified by a nationally recognized professional organization as having a dietetics specialty or who meets criteria for dietetics education established by the committee. The committee may specify those professional organization certifications which are to be recognized and may set standards for education training and experience required for those without such specialty certification to become dietitians.

3. The applicant shall successfully pass an examination as determined by the committee and possess a current registration with the Commission on Dietetic Registration. The committee may waive the examination requirement and grant licensure to an applicant for a license as a dietitian who presents satisfactory evidence to the committee of current registration as a dietitian with the commission on dietetic registration.

Licensure by Reciprocity for Other Counties Only

324.215. Issuance of license, when — reciprocity — reexamination, limitations.

1. The committee shall issue a license to each candidate who files an application and pays the fee as required by the provisions of sections 324.200 to 324.225 and who furnishes evidence satisfactory to the committee that the candidate has complied with the provisions of section 324.210 or with the provisions of subsection 2 of this section.

2. The committee may issue a license to any dietitian who has a valid current license to practice dietetics or medical nutrition therapy in another country, provided that such person is licensed in a country whose requirements for licensure are substantially equal to, or greater than, the requirements for licensure of dietitians in Missouri at the time the applicant applies for licensure.

3. The committee may not allow any person to sit for the examination for licensure as a dietitian in this state who has failed the examination as approved by the committee three times, until the applicant submits evidence of satisfactory completion of additional course work or experience and has been approved by the committee for reexamination.

Temporary/Provisional Licensure (or Certification)

N/A

Exceptions/Exemptions

324.206. Permitted acts by persons not holding themselves out as dietitians — requirements before performing acts or services.

1. As long as the person involved does not represent or hold himself or herself out as a dietitian as defined by subdivision (4) of subsection 2 of section 324.200, nothing in sections 324.200 to 324.225 is intended to limit, preclude, or otherwise interfere with:

(1) Self-care by a person or gratuitous care by a friend or family member;

(2) Persons in the military services or working in federal facilities from performing any activities described in sections 324.200 to 324.225 during the course of their assigned duties in the military service or a federal facility;

(3) A licensed health care provider performing any activities described in sections 324.200 to 324.225 that are within the scope of practice of the licensee;

(4) A person pursuing an approved educational program leading to a degree or certificate in dietetics at an accredited or approved educational program as long as such person does not provide dietetic services outside the educational program. Such person shall be designated by a title that clearly indicates the person's status as a student;

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

(6) Any person 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;

(7) A person credentialed in the field of nutrition from providing advice, counseling, or evaluations in matters of food, diet, or nutrition to the extent such acts are within the scope of practice listed by the credentialing body and do not constitute medical nutrition therapy; provided, however, no such individual may call himself or herself a dietitian unless he or she is licensed under this chapter.

2. A credentialed person not representing or holding himself or herself out as a dietitian, who performs any of the acts or services listed in subsection 1 of this section, shall provide, prior to performing such act or service for another, the following:

(1) The person's name and title;

(2) The person's business address and telephone number;

(3) A statement that the person is not a dietitian licensed by the state of Missouri;

(4) A statement that the information provided or advice given may be considered alternative care by licensed practitioners in the state of Missouri; and

(5) The person's qualifications for providing such information or advice, including educational background, training, and experience.

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.