Massachusetts § 203 - Dietitians/nutritionists; application for original license, renewal or examination; educational and professional experience requirements
Full text of Massachusetts Massachusetts General Laws § 203 — Dietitians/nutritionists; application for original license, renewal or examination; educational and professional experience requirements, with citation guidance and answers to common questions.
§ 203. Dietitians/nutritionists; application for original license, renewal or examination; educational and professional experience requirements
Section 203. An application for original license, renewal and to sit for the licensing examination shall be made on the forms approved by the board and accompanied by the appropriate fee.
The fee for original license and renewal shall be determined by the commissioner of administration and finance pursuant to the provisions of section 3B of chapter 7 which shall be established at a level sufficient to and dedicated to offsetting the cost to the department of public health for the operations of the board.
Applications for original license shall be sworn and furnish satisfactory proof that the applicant is at least 18 years old, of good moral character and has met the educational and professional experience requirements prerequisite to sitting for the licensing examination.
Educational requirements for licensure shall include:
(1) a bachelor's degree or higher with a major course of study in dietetics and nutrition, human nutrition, nutrition education, or public health nutrition; or
(2) a bachelor's degree or higher with a reasonable threshold of undergraduate level academic credit hours in nutrition and nutrition sciences as determined by the board, from a college or university regionally accredited by the New England Association of Colleges and Schools, Inc./Commission on Institutions of Higher Education or equivalent.
Professional experience requirements for licensure shall include:
(3) a formal post baccalaureate internship approved by the board of not less than 900 hours in the field of dietetics and nutrition supervised by a licensed dietitian/nutritionist; or
(4) three years of post baccalaureate paid professional experience in the field of dietetics and nutrition; or
(5) two years of post master's degree paid professional experience in the field of dietetics and nutrition; or
(6) one year of post doctorate paid professional experience in the field of dietetics and nutrition; or
(7) such comparable experience which satisfies the board that the licensee is competent to practice as a licensed dietitian/nutritionist.
Source: official Massachusetts text · Last verified 2026-08-27
Frequently Asked Questions About Massachusetts § 203
What does Massachusetts General Laws § 203 cover?
Section 203 ("Dietitians/nutritionists; application for original license, renewal or examination; educational and professional experience requirements") is part of the Massachusetts General Laws, the codified statutory law of Massachusetts. It sets out the legal rule or procedure described in the text above. Statutes are amended regularly, so always verify against the official source.
How do I cite Massachusetts § 203?
A common citation format is "Massachusetts General Laws § 203" (Massachusetts). Legal writing may require the code abbreviation, section number, and year or edition. Match the style required by your court, professor, or publisher.
Is this the official text of Massachusetts law?
No. This page is for research and education and may not include the most recent amendments. For official current law, check the Massachusetts official source linked on this page or consult a licensed Massachusetts attorney.
How does Massachusetts § 203 apply to my situation?
Statutes are interpreted in context, and application depends on your specific facts. Only a licensed attorney in Massachusetts can advise on how this section applies to you. Contact your state or local bar association for a referral.
Sources & Verification
Not legal advice. Verify against the official source and consult a licensed attorney in Massachusetts.