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

§ 90-357.5. License Requirements.

(a) Each applicant for a license as a licensed dietitian/nutritionist shall submit a completed application as required by the Board, submit any fees as required by the Board, and meet one of the following criteria:

(2) The applicant has a valid current registration with the Commission on Dietetic Registration that gives the applicant the right to use the term "Registered Dietitian Nutritionist" or "RDN."

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

§ 90-360. Granting license without examination.

The Board may grant, upon application and payment of proper fees, a license as a licensed dietitian/nutritionist or a licensed nutritionist to a person who has met the examination requirements under G.S. 90-359 at the time of application and holds a valid license or certification as a dietitian/nutritionist, dietitian, or nutritionist issued by another state or any political territory or jurisdiction acceptable to the Board if in the Board's opinion the requirements for that license or certification are substantially the same as the requirements of this Article.

Temporary/Provisional Licensure (or Certification)

§ 90-361. Provisional licenses.

The Board may grant a provisional license for a period not exceeding 12 months to any individual who has successfully completed the educational and clinical practice requirements and has made application to take one of the examinations required under G.S. 90-359. A provisional license shall allow the individual to practice as a dietitian/nutritionist or nutritionist under the supervision of a dietitian/nutritionist or nutritionist licensed in this State and shall be valid until revoked by the Board.

Exceptions/Exemptions

§ 90-368. Persons and practices not affected.

The requirements of this Article shall not apply to:

(1) A health care professional duly licensed in accordance with Chapter 90 of the General Statutes who is acting within the scope of the individual's licensed profession, provided that the individual does not use the titles licensed dietitian/nutritionist or licensed nutritionist.

(2) A student or trainee, working under the direct supervision of an individual who meets the criteria outlined in G.S. 90-357.5(a)(1)b. or G.S. 90-357.5(c)(2) while fulfilling an experience requirement or pursuing a course of study to meet requirements for licensure, for a limited period of time as determined by the Board.

(3) A dietitian/nutritionist or nutritionist serving in the Armed Forces or the Public Health Service of the United States or employed by the Veterans Administration when performing duties associated with that service or employment.

(4) A person aiding the practice of dietetics or nutrition if the person works under the direct supervision of a licensed dietitian/nutritionist, licensed nutritionist, or other licensed health care practitioner whose licensed scope of practice includes the practice of dietetics or nutrition and the person performs only support activities that do not require formal academic training in the basic food, nutrition, chemical, biological, behavioral, and social sciences that are used in the practice of dietetics or nutrition.

(5) An employee of the State, a local political subdivision, or a local school administrative unit or a person that contracts with the State, a local political subdivision, or a local school administrative unit while engaged in the practice of dietetics or nutrition within the scope of that employment.

(6) A retailer who does not hold himself out to be a dietitian or nutritionist when that retailer furnishes nutrition information to customers on food, food materials, dietary supplements and other goods sold at his retail establishment in connection with the marketing and distribution of those goods at his retail establishment.

(7) A person who provides weight control services; provided the program has been reviewed by, consultation is available from, and no program change can be initiated without prior approval of one of the following individuals:

a. A North Carolina licensed dietitian/nutritionist, nutritionist, or other health care practitioner whose licensed scope of practice includes the practice of dietetics or nutrition.

b. A dietitian/nutritionist, nutritionist, or other health care practitioner licensed or certified in another state that has licensure or certification requirements that are at least as stringent as under this Article, and other relevant section of this Chapter, and whose licensed scope of practice includes the practice of dietetics or nutrition.

c. A dietitian/nutritionist or nutritionist registered by the Commission on Dietetic Registration, the Board for Certification of Nutrition Specialists, or the American Clinical Board of Nutrition.

(9) A person who does not hold himself or herself out to be a dietitian or nutritionist when that person furnishes nutrition information on food, food materials, or dietary supplements. This Article does not prohibit that person from making explanations to customers about foods or food products in connection with the marketing and distribution of these products.

(10) An herbalist or other person who does not hold himself or herself out to be a dietitian or nutritionist when the person furnishes nonfraudulent specific nutritional information and counseling about the reported or historical use of herbs, vitamins, minerals, amino acids, carbohydrates, sugars, enzymes, food concentrates, or other foods.

(11) Any individual who provides nutrition services without remuneration to family members.

(12) Any individual who provides nutrition information, guidance, encouragement, individualized nutrition recommendations, or weight control services that do not constitute medical nutrition therapy as defined in G.S. 90-352, provided that the individual (i) does not hold himself or herself out as a licensed dietitian/nutritionist or a licensed nutritionist as prohibited under G.S. 90-365 and (ii) does not seek to provide medical nutrition therapy as defined in G.S. 90-352.

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.