By: Lori L. Poe, MS, RD, LDN - Outgoing Licensure Chair PADA
Posted August 2006
•Protection of Title - Licensure will protect the title Licensed Dietitian Nutritionist, so no one else can call themselves any form of the title.
•Increase in Pay - Increase in salary or compensation for services based on licensure.
•Recognition as the Nutrition Professional - Although we do not have a practice act (restricts the practice of dietetics and nutrition), our title act will help ensure LDNs provide nutrition services because they are licensed professionals. Healthcare legislation often requires services be provided by a licensed health care worker. Therefore, non-licensed individual are restricted regardless of their credentials based on legislation requiring the use of a licensed professional. For example an individual cannot become a Medical Nutrition Therapy (MNT) provider unless they are licensed.
•Legal Protection is provided by licensure.
•Increase in jobs available to LDNs - Hospitals and healthcare facilities have changed their policies and procedures to require nutrition professionals be licensed as LDNs as a condition of employment.
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