Mississippi Becomes the Seventh State to Enact the Dietitian Licensure Compact, Triggering Commission Formation

With Governor Tate Reeves' signature on the Dietitian Licensure Compact, Mississippi has officially become the seventh state to enact the compact, marking a historic milestone for the dietetics profession. This seventh enactment triggers the formation of the Compact Commission, allowing the operational phase of the Dietitian Licensure Compact to begin.

Thanks to the leadership of the Mississippi Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics and strong collaboration with the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, this achievement reflects growing national momentum to reduce licensure barriers, support military families and expand access to qualified medical nutrition therapy across state lines.

The Dietitian Licensure Compact enhances licensure mobility, facilitates telehealth and strengthens public protection by enabling dietitians to practice in multiple states without needing individual licenses in each one. It also improves career stability for military-connected dietitians and supports workforce development across the country.

With Mississippi's enactment, the Compact Commission can now be established to develop the rules and processes necessary for the compact to become fully operational — a critical next step toward offering multistate practice privileges to licensed dietitians.

The Academy congratulates Mississippi's policy leaders and thanks the affiliate's advocacy team, along with all other state affiliates who have worked or are working on compact legislation, for championing passage of the compact and helping make this milestone possible.

Academy members interested in supporting licensure or compact advocacy are encouraged to join the Licensure Initiatives Affinity Group — a monthly forum where members, policy leaders, and Academy staff connect, exchange strategies, and explore opportunities to get involved.