Dietitian Licensure Compact
Dietitian Licensure Compact Commission Formation Underway
With the required number of states having enacted the Dietitian Licensure Compact, the process to form the Compact Commission — the governing body that will oversee implementation and rulemaking — is now underway. The Commission's inaugural meeting is anticipated in early fall 2025 and will include representatives from each member state. As additional states join, they will help shape the operational foundation of this historic initiative — ensuring a more modern, mobile and responsive licensure framework for dietitians nationwide.
About the Dietitian Licensure Compact
Providing nutrition care services in multiple states — whether in person or through telehealth — requires RDNs to become licensed according to each state's requirements, which can be time-consuming and costly. A licensure compact offers a cost-effective, uniform solution for licensed registered dietitian nutritionists seeking to practice across state lines.
The compact improves licensure mobility, particularly for RDNs in military families, while reducing administrative burdens, improving public protection, and supporting workforce development.
How the Compact Was Developed
The Academy was selected through a competitive Department of Defense grant to work with The Council of State Governments' National Center for Interstate Compacts on the development of an interstate licensure compact for the nutrition and dietetics profession.
Academy members and practitioners were engaged throughout each phase of the process — including framework development, stakeholder feedback, drafting of model legislation, and introduction of compact bills in multiple states.
The Academy continues to work closely with affiliates to advance Dietitian Licensure Compact legislation across the country.
The following states have passed the groundbreaking Dietitian Licensure Compact legislation:
Nebraska (April 2024)
Alabama (May 2024)
Tennessee (May 2024)
Ohio (January 2025)
South Dakota (March 2025)
North Dakota (March 2025)
Mississippi (March 2025)
Utah (March 2025)
Kansas (April 2025)
Learn more and track filing and passage of compact legislation.
Get involved and connect with fellow Academy members to advocate for top policy priorities impacting our profession. The Licensure Initiative Affinity Group meets the second Tuesday of every month for a forum-based event where staff, policy leaders and members discuss Academy advocacy priorities and strategies, share their experience and determine how they can become involved in advocating. I currently attend this as the Public Policy Coordinator, as do some others on our committee. We have been regularly updating our progress here in NH. As some have already heard, we introduced HB145 into NH, however, our attempts to pass this legislation here at this time are tabled. We will begin trying in the Fall 2025 to secure a sponsor in the NH Senate potentially this time, hoping to draft a new bill for next session. Now we have enough states who have passed the bill to allow for a compact commission to be established. Hopefully this will be up and running with the rules established which could potentially help us get through committee votes here in NH. We will be looking for help with in person testimony, online testimony and letters of support. Please let us know if you are interested in learning more and how to get involved. Thank you again to everyone who supported this legislation and all of the steps along the way.
NHAND is introducing and supporting the Dietitian Licensure Compact. This compact will allow eligible registered dietitians to practice in all states that join the compact. The goal is to eliminate barriers to practice and client care, while also ensuring public protection and enhancing a state’s ability to protect public safety. The following states have passed the groundbreaking Dietitian Licensure Compact legislation: Nebraska (April 2024), Alabama (May 2024), and Tennessee (May 2024).
Other benefits include:
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Enhancing the mobility of RD
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Improving access to professional RD services
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Improving continuity of care when clients travel or relocate
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Supporting relocating military spouses and families
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Enhancing public safety
Please visit this website for more information: https://compacts.csg.org/compact-updates/the-interstate-compact-for-dietitians/