State Licensing Requirements

ACHS prepares students to apply their integrative health and wellness education in diverse roles within the integrative health and wellness industry. ACHS’s programs are aligned with professional standards and credentialing requirements established by industry-recognized organizations such as the Alliance of International Aromatherapists, American Herbalists Guild, American Nutrition Association, National Association for Holistic Aromatherapy, and the National Association of Nutrition Professionals, among others.

 

Alliance of International Aromatherapists logo       American Herbalists Guild Member School logo       American Nutrition Association logo      National Association for Holistic Aromatherapy logo      National Association of Nutrition Professionals logo

 

Completing an education in health and wellness and achieving industry-recognized professional credentials may lead to professional pathways, including roles in education, consulting, wellness coaching, and natural product formulation and manufacturing, for example. For information regarding professional credentialing, please visit our Professional Examinations hub.

While optional state licensing opportunities may be available to students who achieve professional credentials, licensure is not required for employment in the fields for which ACHS provides training when practicing within the state’s approved scope of practice. ACHS programs are not designed to meet educational requirements for a specific state license or certification or to qualify a student to sit for a specific state exam in any state or jurisdiction. ACHS graduates may not claim to treat, diagnose, cure, or prescribe, unless otherwise licensed to do so.

If your intent is to pursue an optional state license, ACHS recommends contacting the state or territory where you plan to seek licensure to ensure you have the most up-to-date information about requirements and whether your ACHS program can meet these requirements. Since state and territory regulations can change, ACHS recommends monitoring these requirements throughout your studies to ensure you will have the appropriate qualifications to achieve your goals.

Please note that career options involve a number of factors beyond education and experience, including soft skills, work ethic, integrity, and other skills that may not be developed through education and training alone. Not all graduates will achieve the same career outcomes.

Following is additional information and resources regarding professional credentialing and health freedom advocacy to support access to integrative health and wellness professionals:

Aromatherapy Disclosures

Currently, there are no licensing requirements for aromatherapists in the United States. There are membership and registration options in the industry, including:

Herbal Medicine Disclosures

Currently, there are no licensing requirements for herbalists in the United States.

There are membership and registration options in the industry, including:

 

Nutrition Professional Licensing

ACHS provides training aligned with professional standards to prepare graduates as holistic nutrition professionals (HNPs), such as nutrition coaches, educators, and Certified Nutrition Specialists® (CNS). HNPs do not practice Medical Nutrition Therapy (MNT) which is the provision of nutrition care services for the treatment or management of a disease or medical condition, unless otherwise licensed to do so. Please note that the definition of MNT may differ from state to state. The National Association of Nutrition Professionals provides state resources for HNPs. The American Nutrition Association provides resources for those who may be interested in seeking licensure pathways as a Certified Nutrition Specialist®.

Nutrition State Board Contact Information

For graduates interested in pursuing an optional state license to practice medical nutrition therapy, following are the state board offices for additional information. 

Select a state from the list below:

Alabama Board of Examiners for Dietetic/Nutrition Practice
400 South Union Street, Suite 445
Montgomery, AL 36104
334.242.4505
www.boed.alabama.gov

State of Alaska
Department of Commerce, Community, and Economic Development
Division of Occupational Licensing
Post Office Box 110806
Juneau, AK 99811-0806
907.465.2550
https://www.commerce.alaska.gov/

DHSS
PO Box 997534
Pago Pago,
Eastern District, AS 96799
684.633.1571
https://new.asbar.org/regulation/31-0421-license-required/

Arizona is a Health Freedom state. Read the regulation carefully. Learn more from the NANP online here.

Arkansas Dietetics Licensing Board
Post Office Box 1016
North Little Rock, AR 72115
501.580.9294
https://www.healthy.arkansas.gov/

Board’s duties are outsourced to www.eatright.org of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics.

Colorado Academic of Nutrition and Dietetics
700 N Colorado Blvd, #637
Denver, CO 80206
303-757-2060
http://www.eatrightcolorado.org/for-public/

Connecticut Department of Public Health, Dietitian-Nutritionist Certification
410 Capitol Avenue, MS #12 APP
Post Office Box 340308
Hartford, CT 06134
860.509.8000
www.ct.gov/dph

Division of Professional Regulation
Delaware Board of Dietetics/Nutrition
861 Silver Lake Blvd, Suite 203
Dover, DE 19904
302.744.4500
www.dpr.delaware.gov/boards/dietitians

Dietetics and Nutrition Licensing Board
The Department of Health
899 North Capitol Street, NE
Washington, D.C. 20002
877.672.2174
202.442.5955
http://doh.dc.gov/node/146182

Florida Dietetic & Nutrition Practice Council
4052 Bald Cypress Way, BIN-CO5
Tallahassee, FL 32399-3255
850.245.4373 ext. 3475
http://www.floridahealth.gov/

Board of Examiners of Licensed Dietitians
237 Coliseum Drive
Macon, GA 31217-3858
844.753.7825
http://sos.ga.gov/index.php/licensing/plb/19

Health Professional Licensing Office
123 Chalan Kareta
Mangilao, Guam 96913
671.735.7404

Hawaii Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics
P.O. Box 22298
Honolulu, HI 96823
808.692.7400
http://eatrighthawaii.org/for-members/licensure

Idaho Board of Medicine
345 W. Bobwhite Ct., Suite 150
Boise, ID 83706
208.327.7000
https://bom.idaho.gov/BOMPortal/BoardPage.aspx?Board=DIE

Department of Financial and Professional Regulation
320 West Washington, 3rd Floor
Springfield, IL 62786
888.473.4858
http://www.idfpr.com/profs/DietNutrition.asp

Indiana Professional Licensing Agency
402 W. Washington Street, Room W072
Indianapolis, IN 46204
317.234.2060
www.in.gov/pla/diet.htm

Iowa Board of Dietetics
Bureau of Professional Licensure
Lucas State Office Building
321 East 12th Street, 5th Floor
Des Moines, IA 50319-0075
515.281.7689
https://idph.iowa.gov/Licensure/Iowa-Board-of-Dietetics

Health Occupations Credentialing
503 S Kansas Avenue
Topeka, KS 66603-3404
785.296.4986
https://www.kdads.ks.gov/commissions/scc/health-occupations-credentialing

Kentucky Board of Licensure and Certification for Dietitians and Nutritionists 500 Mero St., 2 SC 32
Frankfort, KY 40601
502.892.4254
https://bdn.ky.gov/

Louisiana State Board of Examiners in Dietetics and Nutrition
37283 Swamp Rd., Suite 3B
Prairieville, LA 70769
225.313.6590
www.lbedn.org

Board of Licensing of Dietetic Practice
Division of Licensing and Registration
#35 State House Station
Augusta, ME 04333-0035
207.624.8626
http://www.maine.gov/pfr/professionallicensing/professions/dietitians/index.html

State Board of Dietetic Practice
Department of Health & Mental Hygiene
4201 Patterson Avenue
Baltimore, MD 21215-2299
410.767.6500
http://dhmh.maryland.gov/dietetic/Pages/Index.aspx

Massachusetts Board of Dietitians and Nutritionists
Division of Professional Licensure
1000 Washington Street, Suite 710
Boston, MA 02118-6100
617.727.9940
http://www.mass.gov/ocabr/licensee/dpl-boards/nu/

Not applicable – Michigan has no licensure law or other restrictions relating to working as a nutritionist within the state.

Minnesota Board of Dietetics and Nutrition Practice
2829 University Avenue SE, Suite 402
Minneapolis, MN 55414
651.201.2764
http://mn.gov/boards/dietetics-and-nutrition/

Mississippi State Department of Health
Professional Licensure
Post Office Box 1700
143B Lefleur’s Square
Jackson, MS 39215-1700
601.364.7360
http://msdh.ms.gov/msdhsite/_static/30,0,82.html

Missouri State Committee of Dietitians
Eric Cartwright, Public Member
3605 Missouri Boulevard
Jefferson City, MO 65102-1335
573.522.3438
www.pr.mo.gov/dietitians.asp

Montana Board of Medical Examiners
Ana Diaz, Ph.D., President
301 S. Park Avenue, 4th Floor
Helena, MT 59620-0513
406.444.6880
http://www.mtrules.org/gateway/Subchapterhome.asp?scn=24.156.13

Board of Medical Nutrition Therapy
301 Centennial Mall South
14th and M Streets
Post Office Box 94986
Lincoln, NE 68509-4986
402.471.2117
http://www.sos.ne.gov/rules-and-regs/regsearch/Rules/Health_and_Human_Services_System/Title-172/Chapter-061.pdf

Nevada Division of Public and Behavioral Health, Dietitian Licensing Unit
Michele Cowee, RDN, LD, CDE, Chair
727 Fairview Drive, Suite E
Carson City, NV 89701
775.684.1030
http://dpbh.nv.gov/Reg/Dietitian/Dietitian_-_Home/

New Hampshire Board of Licensed Dietitians
Office of Professional Licensure and Certification Directors
7 Eagle Square
Concord, NH 03301
603.271.2152
https://www.oplc.nh.gov/contact-us/index.html

New Jersey State Board of Dietetics and Nutrition
P.O Box 478
Middletown, NJ 07748
609.585.5458
http://www.eatrightnj.org/

Nutrition & Dietetic Practice Board
Post Office Box 25101
Santa Fe, NM 87505
505.476.4622
www.rld.state.nm.us/boards/Nutrition_and_Dietetics.aspx

State Board for Dietetics and Nutrition
Education Building West Wing 2nd Floor
89 Washington Avenue
Albany, NY 12234
518.486.4846
http://www.op.nysed.gov/prof/diet/

North Carolina Board of Dietetics and Nutrition
1135 Kildaire Farm Road, Suite 200
Cary, NC 27511
919.388.1931
www.ncbdn.org

North Dakota Board of Dietetic Practice
2304 Jackson Avenue
Bismarck, ND 58501
701.838.0218
[email protected]
www.ndbodp.com

The Northern Miriana Islands have no licensure law or other restrictions relating to working as a nutritionist within the territory.

State Medical Board of Ohio, Dietetics and Nutrition

30 East Broad Street, 3rd Floor
Columbus, OH 43215
615.466.3934
https://med.ohio.gov/apply-and-renew/licenses-and-certifications/dietitian-(ld)

Oklahoma Board of Medical Licensure and Supervision
Post Office Box 18256
101 NE 51st Street
Oklahoma City, OK 73154-0256
405.962.1400
www.okmedicalboard.org/dietitians

Oregon Board of Licensed Dietitians
Yulia Brockdorf, RD, LD, CDE, CST, NCC, LPC, BC-ADM, Chair
1430 Tandem Ave. NE, Suite 180
Salem, OR 97301
503.378.8667
https://www.oregon.gov/oha/PH/HLO/Pages/Board-Licensed-Dietitians.aspx

Pennsylvania State Board of Nursing*
Post Office Box 2649
Harrisburg, PA 17105
717.783.7142
https://www.dos.pa.gov/ProfessionalLicensing/BoardsCommissions/Nursing/Pages/default.aspx
*Dietetics practice regulated by State Board of Nursing

Department of Health
Board of Examiners for Nutritionists and Dietitians
Call Box 10200
Santurce, PR 00908
787.725.7904

Rhode Island State Board of Dietetics Practice
3 Capitol Hill
Providence, RI 02908
401.222.5960
http://health.ri.gov/licenses/detail.php?id=222

South Carolina Panel for Dietetics
Edna Cox Rice, Chairman
110 Centerview Drive
Columbia, SC 29210
803.896.4651
https://llr.sc.gov/diet/

South Dakota Board of Medical and Osteopathic Examiners
101 N Main Avenue, Suite 301
Sioux Falls, SD 57104
605.367.7781
https://www.sdbmoe.gov/professions-licensed-nutritionist-dietician-ln/

Board of Dietitian/Nutritionist Examiners
Jamie L. Bailey, Chair
665 Mainstream Drive, 2nd Floor
Nashville, TN 37243
615.741.3807
https://www.tn.gov/health/health-program-areas/health-professional-boards/dn-board.html

Texas State Board of Examiners of Dietitians
Texas Dept. of State Health Services
Mail Code 1982
Post Office Box 149347
1100 West 49th Street
Austin, TX 78714
512.834.6601
https://www.tdlr.texas.gov/diet/diet.htm

The state law does not prevent holistic nutrition professionals from practicing within their scope of practice. Learn more from the NANP online here.

Office of Professional Regulation
89 Main Street, 3rd Floor
Montpelier, VT 05620-3402
802.828.1501

Virginia Dept. of Health Professions
Elizabeth A. Carter, Executive Director
9960 Mayland Drive, Suite 300
Henrico, VA 23233-1463
804.597.4216
https://www.dhp.virginia.gov/bhp/bhp_faq.htm

Washington Health Systems Quality Assurance
Post Office Box 47877
Olympia, WA 98504-7877
360.236.4700
https://doh.wa.gov/licenses-permits-and-certificates/professions-new-renew-or-update/dietitian-and-nutritionist

West Virginia Board of Licensed of Dietitians
723 Kanawha Blvd East
Room 105 – Union Building
Charleston, WV 25301
304.558.1024 or 800.293.9832
www.wvbold.com

Wisconsin Dietitians Affiliated Credentialing Board
Post Office Box 8366
Madison, WI 53708
608.266.2112
https://dsps.wi.gov/Pages/BoardsCouncils/MEB/Dietitians/Default.aspx

Dietetics Licensing Board
2001 Capitol Avenue
Emerson Building, Room 104
Cheyenne, WY 82002
Phone: 307.777.7387
https://dietetics.wyo.gov/

Industry-Recognized Professional Examinations and Registration

ACHS graduates qualify for several nationally recognized industry certifications and registration opportunities that validate the practitioner’s training, experience, and commitment to consumer and client safety. These organizations also provide resources that will help you in your research and provide support for holistic nutrition credentialing and access to benefits like practitioner liability insurance.

Depending on your ACHS program, you may qualify for the following credentials offered by the National Association of Nutrition Professionals (NANP):

  • Board Certified in Holistic Nutrition® Exam
  • Certified Nutrition Professional
  • Certified Dietary Supplement Professional™

Learn more about professional nutrition pathways with ACHS online here.

 

Holistic Nutrition Advocacy Resources

Many organizations are committed to advocacy and ensuring access to holistic nutrition and other integrative health professionals. The following organizations provide additional information on current nutrition practice requirements and opportunities to get involved in advocacy in your state.

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