The Iowa Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics successfully advocated to maintain dietetic licensure in the state. In September 2023, the Iowa Boards and Commissions Review Committee recommended eliminating the Iowa Board of Dietetics and potentially ending dietitian licensure. This move would have decreased access to quality nutrition care for Iowans and limited opportunities for registered dietitian nutritionists to practice in the state.
Iowa affiliate members, along with the Academy and the affiliate’s lobbyist, swiftly educated legislators on the importance of maintaining dietitian licensure. A task force was created to develop an effective grassroots strategy engaging RDNs across the state, aiming to inform legislators about the consequences of eliminating dietitian licensure. Repealing dietitian licensure would prevent Iowa dietitians from legally providing medical nutrition therapy, reducing access to quality care and hinder payers from credentialing competent providers, further limiting access to nutrition care.
During advocacy efforts, the affiliate highlighted the benefits the Dietitian Licensure Compact would have on Iowans, increasing access to nutrition care, providing licensees with opportunities for multistate practice, increased mobility for individuals who are relocating (supports relocating military and families), improved public safety and promotion of workforce development by reducing unnecessary licensure burdens.
The elimination of the Board of Dietetics and Dietetic Licensure would eliminate the opportunity for the more than 1,400 licensed dietetic practitioners in Iowa to participate in the Compact.
The national Academy supports professional licensure for dietitians to protect the public by enforcing objective standards in qualifications and regulation of practice and was pleased to partner with the Iowa Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics to achieve this win for RDNs and all Iowans.
Learn more and track filing and passage of compact legislation.
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