What are the benefits of licensure?

Besides protecting our scope of practice, reimbursement becomes a greater possibility for a licensed person. The reason being that we would hold ourselves up to be qualified and the license infers greater consumer protection. Third party entities are looking toward independent, non-professional standards that specify education and experience criteria.

See licensure vs. certification and what you can do

Would it cost more?

Don't know the answer to that question at this point.

Would a license be required to practice dietetics in NYS?

The legislation can be written to have mandatory or voluntary licensure. As an Association and individual practitioners we would have to discuss this particular issue. There are pros and cons to this, we can ask for input from those states that have mandatory licensure and see their experiences. Currently there are 43 states that have some form of statutory recognition of RDs, as do Puerto Rico and the District of Columbia.

What is Certification?

The current status of Certification for Dietitian-Nutritionist in NYS provides for protection of the title of Dietitian-Nutritionist. Certification does not protect the scope of practice, that is what we do can be done by anybody, but they cannot call themselves a "Dietitian" or "Nutritionist".

How does licensure differ from certification?

A license protects your scope of practice. You have heard the phrase " You can't practice medicine (or law) without a license". That is to say you cannot do what a lawyer or physician, or nurse, for that matter, does - without a current license. In NYS, licenses are issued by the Office of Professions, Division Of Professional Licensing Services, part of the NYS Education Dept. By licensing Dietitian-Nutritionists in NYS we would protect the title and scope of practice. No one could do what we do unless they are licensed as a Dietitian-Nutritionist. For example; a chiropractor or podiatrist.

What happens to those that are currently Certified as Dietitian/Nutritionist in New York State?

Probably all those who currently hold a CDN will be grand-fathered under the new legislation.

Can Dietetic Technicians be licensed?

We could write legislation that would include a scope of practice for DTRs. The state of Maine has licensure for DTRs and California has identified areas of practice for this level of Dietetic Practitioner. The important area to consider here is that the DTR works under the direction of the RD. This would be similar to Physician Assistants and MDs, or the relationship of LPNs to RNs.

Does the Commission on Dietetic Registration recognize the professional designation RDE?

No. The term is not a professional designation/credential. The Commission has noted with concern an increase in the use of the term RDE to designate registration eligibility. Both employers and the public find the term confusing.

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