Chapter 246-822 WAC
Last Update: 8/19/24DIETICIANS OR NUTRITIONISTS
WAC Sections
| HTMLPDF | 246-822-010 | Definitions. |
| HTMLPDF | 246-822-120 | Nutritionist application requirements. |
| HTMLPDF | 246-822-130 | Nutritionist minimum core curriculum. |
| HTMLPDF | 246-822-132 | Dietitian application requirements. |
| HTMLPDF | 246-822-135 | Dietitian minimum core curriculum. |
| HTMLPDF | 246-822-141 | Dietitian supervised preprofessional experience. |
| HTMLPDF | 246-822-145 | Dietitian coordinated program. |
| HTMLPDF | 246-822-147 | Supervision and qualified supervisors. |
| HTMLPDF | 246-822-150 | Examinations. |
| HTMLPDF | 246-822-160 | Foreign degree equivalency. |
| HTMLPDF | 246-822-175 | Providing services. |
| HTMLPDF | 246-822-990 | Dietitian and nutritionist fees and renewal cycle. |
DISPOSITION OF SECTIONS FORMERLY CODIFIED IN THIS TITLE
| 246-822-020 | General provisions. [Statutory Authority: RCW 18.138.070, 18.130.050 and 18.130.070. WSR 92-02-018 (Order 224), § 246-822-020, filed 12/23/91, effective 1/23/92. Statutory Authority: RCW 43.70.040. WSR 91-02-049 (Order 121), recodified as § 246-822-020, filed 12/27/90, effective 1/31/91. Statutory Authority: RCW 18.130.070. WSR 89-14-092 (Order PM 842), § 308-177-010, filed 6/30/89.] Repealed by WSR 24-17-111, filed 8/19/24, effective 9/19/24. Statutory Authority: RCW 18.138.070. |
| 246-822-030 | Mandatory reporting. [Statutory Authority: RCW 43.70.040. WSR 91-02-049 (Order 121), recodified as § 246-822-030, filed 12/27/90, effective 1/31/91. Statutory Authority: RCW 18.130.070. WSR 89-14-092 (Order PM 842), § 308-177-020, filed 6/30/89.] Repealed by WSR 24-17-111, filed 8/19/24, effective 9/19/24. Statutory Authority: RCW 18.138.070. |
| 246-822-040 | Health care institutions. [Statutory Authority: RCW 43.70.040. WSR 91-02-049 (Order 121), recodified as § 246-822-040, filed 12/27/90, effective 1/31/91. Statutory Authority: RCW 18.130.070. WSR 89-14-092 (Order PM 842), § 308-177-030, filed 6/30/89.] Repealed by WSR 24-17-111, filed 8/19/24, effective 9/19/24. Statutory Authority: RCW 18.138.070. |
| 246-822-050 | Dietitian or nutritionist associations or societies. [Statutory Authority: RCW 43.70.040. WSR 91-02-049 (Order 121), recodified as § 246-822-050, filed 12/27/90, effective 1/31/91. Statutory Authority: RCW 18.130.070. WSR 89-14-092 (Order PM 842), § 308-177-040, filed 6/30/89.] Repealed by WSR 24-17-111, filed 8/19/24, effective 9/19/24. Statutory Authority: RCW 18.138.070. |
| 246-822-060 | Health care service contractors and disability insurance carriers. [Statutory Authority: RCW 43.70.040. WSR 91-02-049 (Order 121), recodified as § 246-822-060, filed 12/27/90, effective 1/31/91. Statutory Authority: RCW 18.130.070. WSR 89-14-092 (Order PM 842), § 308-177-050, filed 6/30/89.] Repealed by WSR 24-17-111, filed 8/19/24, effective 9/19/24. Statutory Authority: RCW 18.138.070. |
| 246-822-070 | Professional liability carriers. [Statutory Authority: RCW 43.70.040. WSR 91-02-049 (Order 121), recodified as § 246-822-070, filed 12/27/90, effective 1/31/91. Statutory Authority: RCW 18.130.070. WSR 89-14-092 (Order PM 842), § 308-177-060, filed 6/30/89.] Repealed by WSR 24-17-111, filed 8/19/24, effective 9/19/24. Statutory Authority: RCW 18.138.070. |
| 246-822-080 | Courts. [Statutory Authority: RCW 43.70.040. WSR 91-02-049 (Order 121), recodified as § 246-822-080, filed 12/27/90, effective 1/31/91. Statutory Authority: RCW 18.130.070. WSR 89-14-092 (Order PM 842), § 308-177-070, filed 6/30/89.] Repealed by WSR 24-17-111, filed 8/19/24, effective 9/19/24. Statutory Authority: RCW 18.138.070. |
| 246-822-090 | State and federal agencies. [Statutory Authority: RCW 43.70.040. WSR 91-02-049 (Order 121), recodified as § 246-822-090, filed 12/27/90, effective 1/31/91. Statutory Authority: RCW 18.130.070. WSR 89-14-092 (Order PM 842), § 308-177-080, filed 6/30/89.] Repealed by WSR 24-17-111, filed 8/19/24, effective 9/19/24. Statutory Authority: RCW 18.138.070. |
| 246-822-100 | Cooperation with investigation. [Statutory Authority: RCW 18.138.070, 18.130.050 and 18.130.070. WSR 92-02-018 (Order 224), § 246-822-100, filed 12/23/91, effective 1/23/92. Statutory Authority: RCW 43.70.040. WSR 91-02-049 (Order 121), recodified as § 246-822-100, filed 12/27/90, effective 1/31/91. Statutory Authority: RCW 18.130.070. WSR 89-14-092 (Order PM 842), § 308-177-090, filed 6/30/89.] Repealed by WSR 97-20-101, filed 9/29/97, effective 10/30/97. Statutory Authority: RCW 43.70.040. |
| 246-822-110 | AIDS prevention and information education requirements. [Statutory Authority: RCW 18.138.070, 18.130.050, 18.130.070 and 70.24.270. WSR 92-02-018 (Order 224), § 246-822-110, filed 12/23/91, effective 1/23/92. Statutory Authority: RCW 43.70.040. WSR 91-02-049 (Order 121), recodified as § 246-822-110, filed 12/27/90, effective 1/31/91. Statutory Authority: RCW 70.24.270. WSR 88-22-077 (Order PM 786), § 308-177-100, filed 11/2/88.] Repealed by WSR 98-05-060, filed 2/13/98, effective 3/16/98. Statutory Authority: RCW 43.70.280. |
| 246-822-140 | Certification renewal registration date. [Statutory Authority: RCW 43.70.040. WSR 91-02-049 (Order 121), recodified as § 246-822-140, filed 12/27/90, effective 1/31/91. Statutory Authority: RCW 18.138.070. WSR 89-03-035 (Order PM 814), § 308-177-140, filed 1/11/89.] Repealed by WSR 97-20-101, filed 9/29/97, effective 10/30/97. Statutory Authority: RCW 43.70.040. |
| 246-822-170 | Certification for dietitians—Grandfathering. [Statutory Authority: RCW 18.19.050, 18.29.130, 18.29.210, 18.34.120, 18.46.060, 18.55.095, 18.84.040, 18.88B.060, 18.89.050, 18.130.050, 18.138.070, 18.155.040, 18.200.050, 18.205.060, 18.215.040, 18.230.040, 18.240.050, 18.250.020, 18.290.020, 18.360.030, 18.360.070, 70.41.030, 70.230.020, 71.12.670, and 18.108.085. WSR 21-02-002, § 246-822-170, filed 12/23/20, effective 1/23/21. Statutory Authority: RCW 18.138.070, 18.130.050 and 18.130.070. WSR 92-02-018 (Order 224), § 246-822-170, filed 12/23/91, effective 1/23/92. Statutory Authority: RCW 43.70.040. WSR 91-02-049 (Order 121), recodified as § 246-822-170, filed 12/27/90, effective 1/31/91. Statutory Authority: RCW 18.138.070. WSR 89-17-071, § 308-177-190, filed 8/16/89, effective 9/16/89.] Repealed by WSR 24-17-111, filed 8/19/24, effective 9/19/24. Statutory Authority: RCW 18.138.070. |
PDF246-822-010
Definitions.
The definitions in this section and RCW 18.138.010 apply throughout this chapter unless the context clearly requires otherwise.
(1) "Accreditation council for education in nutrition and dietetics" or "ACEND" means a national organization that accredits dietetics education programs.
(2) "Accredited college or university" means a college or university accredited by a national or regional accrediting body recognized by the office of postsecondary education at the time the applicant completed the required education.
(3) "Client" means a person who receives services from a certified dietitian or certified nutritionist; this term may be used interchangeably with "patient."
(4) "Commission on dietetic registration" or "CDR" means the credentialing organization of the academy of nutrition and dietetics, a professional organization for nutrition and dietetics practitioners.
(5) "Coordinated program" means supervised dietetic practice that is part of a course of study under WAC 246-822-145.
(6) "Dietitian" or "certified dietitian" means a person certified to practice dietetics under this chapter and chapter 18.138 RCW.
(7) "Nutritionist" or "certified nutritionist" means a person certified to provide general nutrition services under this chapter and chapter 18.138 RCW.
(8) "Qualified supervisor" means a dietitian who is credentialed by the department under this chapter or registered by the commission on dietetic registration as a registered dietitian.
(9) "Registered dietitian," "registered dietitian nutritionist," "RD," or "RDN" means a person registered as such with the commission on dietetic registration.
(10) "Supervision" means the oversight and responsibility for an individual's supervised preprofessional experience or coordinated program by a qualified supervisor under WAC 246-822-147.
(11) "Supervised preprofessional experience" means at least 900 hours of supervised competency-based practice in the field of dietetics under WAC 246-822-141.
[Statutory Authority: RCW 18.138.070. WSR 24-17-111, § 246-822-010, filed 8/19/24, effective 9/19/24. Statutory Authority: RCW 43.70.040. WSR 91-02-049 (Order 121), recodified as § 246-822-010, filed 12/27/90, effective 1/31/91. Statutory Authority: RCW 18.138.070. WSR 89-17-071, § 308-177-115, filed 8/16/89, effective 9/16/89.]
PDF246-822-120
Nutritionist application requirements.
An applicant for certification as a nutritionist shall:
(1) Submit to the department:
(a) A completed application on forms provided by the department;
(b) The applicable fee in WAC 246-822-990; and
(2) Provide one of the following:
(a) Transcripts forwarded directly to the department from the issuing accredited college or university showing completion of a master's or doctorate degree in one of the following subject areas: Human nutrition, nutrition education, foods and nutrition, or public health nutrition with demonstration of meeting the nutritionist minimum core curriculum under WAC 246-822-130; or
(b) Documentation to the department of meeting requirements for certified dietitians in WAC 246-822-132.
[Statutory Authority: RCW 18.138.070. WSR 24-17-111, § 246-822-120, filed 8/19/24, effective 9/19/24. Statutory Authority: RCW 18.19.050, 18.29.130, 18.29.210, 18.34.120, 18.46.060, 18.55.095, 18.84.040, 18.88B.060, 18.89.050, 18.130.050, 18.138.070, 18.155.040, 18.200.050, 18.205.060, 18.215.040, 18.230.040, 18.240.050, 18.250.020, 18.290.020, 18.360.030, 18.360.070, 70.41.030, 70.230.020, 71.12.670, and 18.108.085. WSR 21-02-002, § 246-822-120, filed 12/23/20, effective 1/23/21. Statutory Authority: RCW 43.70.280. WSR 98-05-060, § 246-822-120, filed 2/13/98, effective 3/16/98. Statutory Authority: RCW 18.138.070, 18.130.050 and 18.130.070. WSR 92-02-018 (Order 224), § 246-822-120, filed 12/23/91, effective 1/23/92. Statutory Authority: RCW 43.70.040. WSR 91-02-049 (Order 121), recodified as § 246-822-120, filed 12/27/90, effective 1/31/91. Statutory Authority: RCW 18.138.070. WSR 89-17-071, § 308-177-120, filed 8/16/89, effective 9/16/89; WSR 89-03-035 (Order PM 814), § 308-177-120, filed 1/11/89.]
PDF246-822-130
Nutritionist minimum core curriculum.
To be eligible for certification as a nutritionist, an applicant shall:
(1) Successfully complete a master's or doctorate degree in one of the following subject areas: Human nutrition, nutrition education, foods and nutrition, or public health nutrition, as required in RCW 18.138.030 (4)(b).
(2) Successfully complete coursework at the college or graduate level from an accredited college or university in the following areas:
(a) Basic science, including courses in one or more of the following:
(i) Physiology.
(ii) Biochemistry.
(b) Foods, including courses in one or more of the following:
(i) Selection.
(ii) Composition.
(iii) Food science.
(iv) Nutritional science.
(c) Applied nutrition, including courses in one or more of the following:
(i) Diet therapy.
(ii) Nutrition of the life cycle.
(iii) Cultural/anthropological nutrition.
(iv) Public health nutrition.
(d) Counseling/education, including courses in one or more of the following:
(i) Psychological counseling.
(ii) Educational psychology.
(iii) Communication.
(iv) Psychology.
(v) Education.
[Statutory Authority: RCW 18.138.070. WSR 24-17-111, § 246-822-130, filed 8/19/24, effective 9/19/24. Statutory Authority: RCW 43.70.040. WSR 91-02-049 (Order 121), recodified as § 246-822-130, filed 12/27/90, effective 1/31/91. Statutory Authority: RCW 18.138.070. WSR 89-17-071, § 308-177-130, filed 8/16/89, effective 9/16/89; WSR 89-03-035 (Order PM 814), § 308-177-130, filed 1/11/89.]
PDF246-822-132
Dietitian application requirements.
An applicant for certification as a dietitian shall:
(1) Submit to the department:
(a) A completed application on forms provided by the department;
(b) The applicable fee in WAC 246-822-990; and
(2) Provide to the department verification of current RDN registration or provide the following documentation:
(a) Transcripts sent directly from the issuing accredited college or university showing completion of a bachelor's degree or higher with a major course of study in human nutrition, foods and nutrition, dietetics, or food systems management and demonstration of meeting the dietitian minimum core curriculum under WAC 246-822-135;
(b) Evidence of completing either supervised preprofessional experience under WAC 246-822-141 or a coordinated program under WAC 246-822-145; and
(c) Passing RDN examination results sent directly from CDR to the department as provided in WAC 246-822-150.
[Statutory Authority: RCW 18.138.070. WSR 24-17-111, § 246-822-132, filed 8/19/24, effective 9/19/24.]
PDF246-822-135
Dietitian minimum core curriculum.
(1) To apply for certification as a dietitian by completing a core curriculum, an applicant shall successfully complete a bachelor's degree or higher from an accredited college or university with coursework that includes at least the following topics:
(a) Research skills, including methodology and interpretation or research literature;
(b) Science of nutrition and dietetics, including organic chemistry, biochemistry, anatomy, physiology, pharmacology, genetics, microbiology, nutrient metabolism, and nutrition across the lifespan;
(c) Implementation of the nutrition care process, and principles of medical nutrition therapy;
(d) Food science, food safety and sanitation, and recipe and menu development;
(e) Effective education and counseling techniques;
(f) Public health policy, including legislative and regulatory structures, and health equity; and
(g) Professional practice skills, including professional ethics, client communication, documentation standards, coding and billing practices, and health care delivery systems.
(2) A didactic program in dietetics accredited by ACEND satisfies the requirements of this section.
(3) For the purpose of this section, the nutrition care process in subsection (1)(c) of this section includes all the following concepts:
(a) "Nutrition assessment" means assessing and evaluating the nutritional needs of individuals and groups using anthropometric, biochemical, nutrigenomic, clinical, metabolic, physiologic, dietary, and behavioral, social and demographic data for clinical, research and program planning purposes; and, determining resources in the practice setting, including ordering laboratory tests to check and track nutrition status and monitor effectiveness of nutrition plans or orders.
(b) "Nutrition care services" means and involves nutrition care, medical nutrition therapy, and nutrition-related services using knowledge, evidence-based practices, and clinical judgment to address health promotion and wellness, and prevention and management of acute or chronic diseases and conditions for individuals and groups. Nutrition care services involves using the four interrelated steps of the nutrition care process including nutrition assessment, nutrition diagnosis, nutrition intervention, and nutrition monitoring and evaluation.
(c) "Nutrition counseling" means the provision of dietary and nutrition counseling and education with the goal of facilitating knowledge, skill, and ability including concerning disease pathophysiology, clinical and biochemical data and data patterns, health-related behaviors, lifestyle choices, environmental factors, food and dietary patterns, nutrient and prescription drug interactions; provision of education and training on nutrition-related medical devices; and the development and administration of nutrition care standards.
(d) "Nutrition diagnosis" means identifying and labeling nutrition problems. It does not include the medical differential diagnosis of the health status of an individual.
(e) "Nutrition intervention" means purposefully planned actions and counseling intended to positively change a nutrition-related behavior, risk factor, environmental condition or aspect of the health status for an individual, including education and training on nutrition-related medical devices.
(i) Nutrition intervention includes using approved clinical privileges, physician/nonphysician practitioner-driven orders (i.e., delegated orders), protocols, or other facility-specific processes for order writing or for provision of nutrition-related services consistent with applicable specialized training, competence, medical staff, or organizational policy.
(ii) Nutrition intervention involves implementing, initiating, or modifying orders for therapeutic diets, medication and nutrition interactions, management, or nutrition-related services (e.g., medical foods/nutrition dietary supplements, food texture modifications, enteral and parenteral nutrition, intravenous infusions, laboratory tests, medications, and education and counseling).
(f) "Nutrition monitoring and evaluation" means identifying patient outcomes using data sources and technology-based applications relevant to the nutrition diagnosis and comparing the outcomes with the patient's previous health status, interventions, goals or reference standards to determine the progress made in achieving desired outcomes or nutrition care and whether planned interventions should be continued or revised.
[Statutory Authority: RCW 18.138.070. WSR 24-17-111, § 246-822-135, filed 8/19/24, effective 9/19/24.]
PDF246-822-141
Dietitian supervised preprofessional experience.
(1) To apply for certification as a dietitian by completing supervised preprofessional experience, an applicant shall complete at least 900 hours of competency-based practice in the field of dietetics, supervised by a qualified supervisor. This must include practical experience that meets the competency standards of an ACEND accredited dietetic internship.
(a) Exhibiting professionalism in attitudes and interactions with clients;
(b) Understanding scientific research and incorporating new, evidence-based information into practice;
(c) Counseling and providing care to clients from diverse backgrounds, using culturally sensitive strategies; and
(d) Developing knowledge of health systems and referring clients to other professionals and services as appropriate.
(2) A dietetic internship accredited by ACEND satisfies the requirements of this section.
[Statutory Authority: RCW 18.138.070. WSR 24-17-111, § 246-822-141, filed 8/19/24, effective 9/19/24.]
PDF246-822-145
Dietitian coordinated program.
(1) To apply for certification as a dietitian by completing a dietitian coordinated program, an applicant shall complete a coordinated program in dietetics that includes concurrent completion of:
(a) A dietetics education program that meets curriculum requirements in WAC 246-822-135; and
(b) A supervised preprofessional experience that meets the requirements in WAC 246-822-141.
(2) A coordinated program accredited by ACEND that satisfies the requirements of this section.
[Statutory Authority: RCW 18.138.070. WSR 24-17-111, § 246-822-145, filed 8/19/24, effective 9/19/24.]
PDF246-822-147
Supervision and qualified supervisors.
(1) A qualified supervisor provides oversight and takes responsibility for an individual working to meet experience requirements. To be a qualified supervisor, an individual must be a dietitian certified by the department or registered as a registered dietitian nutritionist by CDR.
(2) Methods of supervision may include face-to-face supervision, direct supervision, distance supervision, and review of written notes or recordings.
(a) "Direct supervision" means the supervisor is on the premises and available for immediate consultation.
(b) "Distance supervision" means supervision provided through remote technology, used when a qualified supervisor and an applicant are not working in the same physical location.
(3) Distance supervision is not appropriate when an individual is providing direct client services where a provider's physical presence is necessary.
[Statutory Authority: RCW 18.138.070. WSR 24-17-111, § 246-822-147, filed 8/19/24, effective 9/19/24.]
PDF246-822-150
Examinations.
(1) The department requires passage of the CDR registered dietitian examination. To register for the examination, an applicant must meet the CDR's eligibility requirements.
(2) The department must receive the passing examination results directly from the testing organization.
[Statutory Authority: RCW 18.138.070. WSR 24-17-111, § 246-822-150, filed 8/19/24, effective 9/19/24. Statutory Authority: RCW 18.138.070, 18.130.050 and 18.130.070. WSR 92-02-018 (Order 224), § 246-822-150, filed 12/23/91, effective 1/23/92. Statutory Authority: RCW 43.70.040. WSR 91-02-049 (Order 121), recodified as § 246-822-150, filed 12/27/90, effective 1/31/91. Statutory Authority: RCW 18.138.070. WSR 89-17-071, § 308-177-160, filed 8/16/89, effective 9/16/89.]
PDF246-822-160
Foreign degree equivalency.
(1) To become credentialed as a nutritionist in Washington, an applicant educated outside the United States and its territories shall:
(a) Have their academic degree assessed by a credential evaluation service to be validated as substantially equivalent to the education requirements in WAC 246-822-120 or 246-822-130 and submit the assessment with the application or become credentialed by CDR as a registered dietitian; and
(b) Apply to the department under WAC 246-822-120.
(2) To become credentialed as a dietitian in Washington, an applicant educated outside the United States and its territories shall:
(a) Become credentialed by CDR as a registered dietitian; and
(b) Apply to the department under WAC 246-822-132.
[Statutory Authority: RCW 18.138.070. WSR 24-17-111, § 246-822-160, filed 8/19/24, effective 9/19/24. Statutory Authority: RCW 43.70.040. WSR 91-02-049 (Order 121), recodified as § 246-822-160, filed 12/27/90, effective 1/31/91. Statutory Authority: RCW 18.138.070. WSR 89-17-071, § 308-177-180, filed 8/16/89, effective 9/16/89.]
PDF246-822-175
Providing services.
(1) A certified dietitian may provide services as defined in RCW 18.138.010(1).
(2) A certified nutritionist may provide services as defined in RCW 18.138.010(2).
(3) A certified dietitian or nutritionist may provide services in person or through telehealth, to residents of Washington, as appropriate, based on the needs of the client.
[Statutory Authority: RCW 18.138.070. WSR 24-17-111, § 246-822-175, filed 8/19/24, effective 9/19/24.]
PDF246-822-990
Dietitian and nutritionist fees and renewal cycle.
(1) A certification must be renewed every year on the practitioner's birthday as provided in chapter 246-12 WAC.
(2) The following nonrefundable fees will be charged:
Title | Fee | |
Original application | ||
Application | $65.00 | |
HEAL-WA* surcharge | 16.00 | |
Renewal | ||
Renewal | 45.00 | |
HEAL-WA* surcharge | 16.00 | |
Late renewal penalty | 45.00 | |
Expired certificate reissuance | 50.00 | |
Duplicate certificate | 30.00 | |
Verification of certificate | 30.00 | |
* | HEAL-WA is the health resources for Washington online library. See RCW 43.70.110. |
[Statutory Authority: RCW 18.138.070. WSR 24-17-111, § 246-822-990, filed 8/19/24, effective 9/19/24. Statutory Authority: RCW 43.70.280. WSR 15-19-149, § 246-822-990, filed 9/22/15, effective 1/1/16. Statutory Authority: RCW 43.70.280 and 2013 c 249. WSR 13-21-077, § 246-822-990, filed 10/17/13, effective 1/1/14. Statutory Authority: RCW 43.70.110, 43.70.250, and 2011 1st sp.s. c 50. WSR 11-20-092, § 246-822-990, filed 10/4/11, effective 12/1/11. Statutory Authority: RCW 43.70.250, [43.70.]280 and 43.70.110. WSR 05-12-012, § 246-822-990, filed 5/20/05, effective 7/1/05. Statutory Authority: RCW 43.70.250. WSR 99-08-101, § 246-822-990, filed 4/6/99, effective 7/1/99. Statutory Authority: RCW 43.70.280. WSR 98-05-060, § 246-822-990, filed 2/13/98, effective 3/16/98. Statutory Authority: RCW 43.70.250. WSR 91-13-002 (Order 173), § 246-822-990, filed 6/6/91, effective 7/7/91. Statutory Authority: RCW 43.70.040. WSR 91-02-049 (Order 121), recodified as § 246-822-990, filed 12/27/90, effective 1/31/91. Statutory Authority: RCW 43.70.250. WSR 90-04-094 (Order 029), § 308-177-110, filed 2/7/90, effective 3/10/90. Statutory Authority: RCW 18.138.070. WSR 89-17-071, § 308-177-110, filed 8/16/89, effective 9/16/89; WSR 89-03-035 (Order PM 814), § 308-177-110, filed 1/11/89.]