Professional Licensure in California

Professional licensure protects the public by helping consumers identify and access qualified nutrition professionals who have the education, supervised practice, and competence to provide safe and effective nutrition care. By establishing clear standards for education, training, and examination, licensure ensures that only those fully prepared to deliver complex medical nutrition therapy are authorized to do so.

Licensure also gives health insurance companies and government agencies confidence that licensed practitioners meet established professional standards necessary for reimbursement of nutrition care services.

The California Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics supports professional licensure for Registered Dietitian Nutritionists (RDNs) and other qualified nutrition professionals to protect the public and promote access to high-quality, evidence-based nutrition care. Through professional licensure, we aim to align California with the majority of U.S. states that already regulate the provision of medical nutrition therapy, ensuring consistency, accountability, and public trust.