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MontanaHB 80669th Legislature, Regular Session (2025)HouseWALLET

Generally revising laws related to dietitians and nutritionists

Sponsored By: Courtenay Sprunger (Republican)

Became Law

Economic DevelopmentProfessions and Occupations GenerallyRule MakingHealth Care Services

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

4 provisions identified: 2 benefits, 0 costs, 2 mixed.

Licenses and training for nutrition professionals

To be a Licensed Nutritionist, you need a master’s or doctoral degree in a listed field with set coursework: at least 15 semester hours in clinical or life sciences (3 in human anatomy and physiology) and 15 in nutrition and metabolism (6 in biochemistry). You must complete at least 1,000 supervised hours, with at least 200 in assessment, 200 in intervention, and 200 in monitoring and evaluation, usually within five years. You must pass a board‑approved exam; if you passed more than five years ago, show 75 hours of continuing education for each five‑year period. To be a Licensed Dietitian, you apply, pay fees, and show a current RD or RDN registration. The Board can issue a one‑year provisional license for supervised practice after you finish required education and hours; this clause is void if another state law standardizes provisional licensing for all boards. If you already hold the RD credential and are licensed on the law’s effective date, you are licensed as a dietitian without new requirements. Once you meet the rules, the Board issues your license and notes the date.

New rules for nutrition care and titles

The law defines what dietitians and nutritionists can do, including telehealth. Only licensed or exempt people may provide medical nutrition therapy. You cannot use dietitian or nutritionist titles unless licensed or exempt. The Board of Medical Examiners must set professional and ethical rules. The law lists exemptions, including supervised students, other licensed health pros, educators, WIC and other government staff, people giving general nutrition information, some wellness coaching, support staff, and certain out‑of‑state telehealth providers who accept board oversight.

Schools can count licensed nutrition staff

Licensed dietitians and nutritionists who serve students are now treated as quality educators. Schools and listed education programs can count them in full‑time educator totals used for quality educator payments. This can raise funding tied to these positions. The law lists no dollar amounts.

Nutrition seat added; old rules repealed

The medical board now includes one member who is a nutritionist dietitian. The law also repeals the prior dietetics practice and licensing sections and replaces them with this new framework.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

  • Courtenay Sprunger

    Republican • House

Cosponsors

  • Steve Fitzpatrick

    Republican • House

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 486 • No: 3

House vote • 4/18/2025

Do Concur

Yes: 97 • No: 1

House vote • 4/17/2025

Do Concur

Yes: 99 • No: 0

House vote • 4/7/2025

Do Concur

Yes: 48 • No: 0

House vote • 4/5/2025

Do Concur

Yes: 46 • No: 0

House vote • 3/7/2025

Do Pass

Yes: 98 • No: 1

House vote • 3/6/2025

Do Pass

Yes: 98 • No: 1

Actions Timeline

  1. Chapter Number Assigned

    5/13/2025House

  2. Signed by Governor

    5/8/2025House

  3. Transmitted to Governor

    5/1/2025House

  4. Signed by President

    5/1/2025Senate

  5. Signed by Speaker

    4/29/2025House

  6. Returned from Enrolling

    4/21/2025House

  7. Sent to Enrolling

    4/18/2025House

  8. 3rd Reading Passed as Amended by Senate

    4/18/2025House

  9. 2nd Reading Senate Amendments Concurred

    4/17/2025House

  10. Returned to House with Amendments

    4/7/2025Senate

  11. 3rd Reading Concurred

    4/7/2025Senate

  12. 2nd Reading Concurred

    4/5/2025Senate

  13. Committee Report--Bill Concurred as Amended

    3/28/2025Senate

  14. Committee Executive Action--Bill Concurred as Amended

    3/28/2025Senate

  15. Hearing

    3/24/2025Senate

  16. Referred to Committee

    3/19/2025Senate

  17. Referred to Committee

    3/19/2025Senate

  18. Revised Fiscal Note Printed

    3/18/2025House

  19. Revised Fiscal Note Signed

    3/17/2025House

  20. Revised Fiscal Note Received

    3/17/2025House

  21. First Reading

    3/14/2025Senate

  22. Transmitted to Senate

    3/7/2025House

  23. 3rd Reading Passed

    3/7/2025House

  24. 2nd Reading Passed

    3/6/2025House

  25. Revised Fiscal Note Requested

    3/5/2025House

Bill Text

  • Enrolled

    4/21/2025

    PDF

  • As Amended (Version 3)

    3/28/2025

    PDF

  • As Amended (Version 2)

    3/4/2025

    PDF

  • Introduced

    2/26/2025

    PDF

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