Alabama § 34-34-1 - Qualifications.

§ 34-34-1. Qualifications.

(a) Any person representing himself or herself as a dietitian, nutritionist, or dietitian/nutritionist shall first meet the qualifications set forth below in subdivisions (1) through (4) or subdivision (5) of this subsection:

(1) Prior to the enactment hereof, such persons shall have been granted the right to use the terms “dietitian/nutritionist” or “R.D.” by the American Dietetic Association or the terms “nutritionist” or “dietitian” by the United States government as shall have been specifically allowed by an act of Congress or shall have been granted the right by a state government, or agency thereof, according to powers specifically allowed by appropriate legislative branches.

(2) Be 19 years of age or older.

(3) Have satisfactorily completed appropriate academic requirements in the field of dietetics and related disciplines as approved by the American Dietetic Association and have received a baccalaureate or higher degree from a college or university accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Universities or similar accreditation agency.

(4) Have satisfactorily completed a program of supervised experience approved by the Commission on Dietetic Registration of the American Dietetic Association; or

(5) Have received a master’s degree or doctorate degree in human nutrition, nutrition education, foods and nutrition, or public health nutrition from a college or university accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Universities or similar accreditation agency; or have received a master’s degree or doctorate degree in a related field that meets eligibility requirements of the Commission on Dietetic Registration of the American Dietetic Association; or shall maintain membership in one of the following organizations: American Institute of Nutrition (AIN), American Society for Clinical Nutrition (ASCN), American Board of Nutrition (ABN).

(b) Any person representing himself or herself as a “registered dietitian” shall meet the following qualifications:

(1) Possess all of the qualifications required for subdivisions (a)(1) through (a)(4) above; and

(2) Have satisfactorily completed an examination since the inception of same propounded and administered under the auspices of the Commission on Dietetic Registration of the American Dietetic Association; and

(3) Have satisfactorily completed courses of continuing education as currently required by the Commission on Dietetic Registration of the American Dietetic Association.