| License Description |
Occupational Description
Medical Nutrition Therapists assess the nutritional status of patients and recommend treatments ranging from diet modification to specialized nutrition support. They determine nutrient needs for enteral and parenteral nutrition, and monitor and evaluate patient response to such treatment.
Patient means a person with a disease, illness, injury, or medical condition for which nutritional interventions are an essential component of standard care.
The practice of medical nutrition therapy must be performed under the consultation of a physician.
A medical nutrition therapy license is NOT required to provide the following:
1. Performing general nutrition services incidental to the practice of the profession insofar as it does not exceed the scope of their education and training;
2. Marketing or distributing food, food materials, or dietary supplements, including persons employed in health food stores, or persons engaged in the advising of the use of those products, or the preparation of those products, or the counseling of individuals or groups in the selection of products to meet general nutrition needs;
3. Conducting classes or disseminating information related to general nutrition services;
4. Caring for the sick in accordance with the tenets and practices of any bona fide church or religious denomination;
5. Providing information and instructions regarding food intake or exercise as a part of a weight control program.
Licensure Requirements
Any person who provides medical nutrition therapy must obtain a license. Applicants may quality for licensure by three different methods, which are described below.
Certified Dietitian Registration- To qualify for licensure based on registration with the American Dietetics Association (ADA), an applicant must hold a registration as a Dietitian.
(NOTE: RD licensure is not recognized in the state of Nebraska, even though this licensure is nationally issued. Contact the American Dietetics Association for more information.)
Baccalaureate Degree- To qualify for licensure based on a baccalaureate degree, an applicant must:
1. Have received the degree from an accredited college or university with a major course of study in human nutrition, food and nutrition, dietetics, or an equivalent major course of study approved by the Board;
2. Successfully complete a supervised clinical program experience approved by the Department of Health & Human Services. This clinical experience must consist of at least 900 hours of a planned continuous experience in human nutrition, food and nutrition, or dietetics under the supervision of an individual meeting the qualifications of a Medical Nutrition Therapist.
3. Pass the Registration Examination for Dietitians;
Master's or Doctoral Degree- To qualify for licensure based on a master's or doctorate degree, an applicant must:
1. Either:
A. Hold a master's or doctoral degree from an accredited college or university in human nutrition, nutrition education, food and nutrition, public health nutrition, or an equivalent major course of study with the intent of the degree being related to nutrition, and approved by the Board;
-OR-
B. Hold a master's or doctoral degree from an accredited college or university, which includes a major course of study in clinical nutrition. Such course of study shall consist of at least 200 hours of biochemistry and physiology, and 75 hours in human nutrition;
All applicants must also:
1. Be at least 19 years of age;
2. Possess good moral character;
3. Be either a citizen of the United States, an alien lawfully admitted into the United States who is eligible for a credential under the Uniform Credentialing Act, or a nonimmigrant who is lawfully present in the United States and who is eligible for a credential under the Uniform Credentialing Act.
Fees
License Fee- $114.00
Renewal
Renewal is required biennially by September 1 of odd-numbered years. The renewal fee is $114.00.
Thirty hours of continuing education are required biennially to qualify for renewal. |
| Licensing Agency |
Nebraska Dept. of Health and Human Services
Public Health Division, Licensure Unit, Office of Behavioral Health & Consumer Services
Public Health Division, Licensure Unit, Office of Behavioral Health & Consumer Services
P.O. Box 94986, 301 Centennial Mall S
Lincoln, NE 68509
(402) 224 2117
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