PRIA Logo™
MontanaHB 80669th Legislature, Regular Session (2025)House

Generally revising laws related to dietitians and nutritionists

Sponsored By: Courtenay Sprunger (Republican)

Signed by Governor

Economic DevelopmentProfessions and Occupations GenerallyRule MakingHealth Care Services

Personalized for You

How does this bill affect your finances?

Personalize government policy and PRIA will tell you what this bill means for your household, plus every other piece of legislation we track. PRIA reads each provision against your financial profile to show you exactly what matters to your wallet.

Free to download

Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

9 provisions identified: 6 benefits, 0 costs, 3 mixed.

How to get licensed to practice

The law creates two licenses: licensed dietitian and licensed nutritionist. Dietitians apply, pay fees, and show current RD/RDN registration; RDs licensed on the effective date become licensed dietitians. Nutritionists need a qualifying master’s or doctoral degree, 1,000 supervised hours (200+ each in assessment, intervention, and monitoring), and a passing CNS exam or current CNS; if the exam was 5+ years ago, add 75 hours of continuing education per five years. All applicants give fingerprints for state and federal checks and pay the fees. The board issues a license once you meet these rules.

Limited out-of-state telehealth for nutrition therapy

Licensed dietitians or nutritionists from another state may give medical nutrition therapy by telehealth in three cases. They may consult with an in‑state practitioner who has a relationship with the patient, treat a patient who is temporarily in Montana if they already treat that patient, or give short‑term follow‑up care under an existing relationship. The out‑of‑state practitioner must agree to Montana board jurisdiction.

Nutrition roles for schools, WIC, and veterans

Educators or advisers at approved nonprofits or accredited schools may do nutrition work that is part of their salaried jobs without a license. Government employees or contractors may provide WIC nutrition care and use the title “nutritionist” while doing official WIC duties. Dietitians and nutritionists in the military, U.S. Public Health Service, or VA may practice medical nutrition therapy and use government titles when tied to their service or job.

Other licensed pros may give nutrition care

A Montana‑licensed physician or nurse may provide medical nutrition therapy when it is incidental to their practice. Anyone licensed under another Montana law may do the work their license allows, even if it touches nutrition, as long as they do not claim to be a dietitian or nutritionist. These rules keep care available within existing professional scopes.

Wellness and nutrition advice without a license

People may share general nutrition information and explain foods or supplements in marketing if they do not claim licensed titles. You may offer wellness coaching, prevention advice, and nonmedical weight control that is not medical nutrition therapy and without using protected titles. Non‑licensed people may give medical weight control services only under a written program approved by a licensed practitioner or under an overseen plan, and the tasks must not require professional judgment. Assistants may do only non‑discretionary support tasks for medical nutrition therapy under direct supervision of a licensed dietitian, nutritionist, or other licensed health professional.

Schools count licensed nutrition staff for payments

Licensed dietitians and nutritionists can be counted as “quality educators” when eligible employers report them as full‑time equivalents. Quality Educator Payments go to school districts, special education cooperatives, the School for the Deaf and Blind, Pine Hills and related female facilities, and the Montana Youth Challenge Program based on prior‑year FTE counts. The law sets no statewide dollar amount; payments follow the FTE formula in statute.

Trainees and new grads practice under supervision

Students, interns, and paraprofessionals in approved programs may provide medical nutrition therapy under direct supervision and may not claim to be dietitians or nutritionists. The board may issue one‑year provisional licenses to practice under supervision after you apply, pay fees, and show you finished the required education and supervised practice. If a separate statewide provisional‑license law (HB 414) takes effect, this act’s provisional‑license section is void.

Who can give medical nutrition therapy

The law defines medical nutrition therapy and related terms and allows services in person or by telehealth. Only people licensed under this chapter or listed in the exemptions may provide medical nutrition therapy. You cannot advertise or call yourself a dietitian or nutritionist unless you are licensed. The law replaces the old scope and licensing sections with these new rules.

Medical board updates and new rules

The Board of Medical Examiners must set practice and ethical rules for dietitians and nutritionists. The board now has a seat for a dietitian instead of a nutritionist. These updates shape how licensing and discipline work for the profession.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

  • Courtenay Sprunger

    Republican • House

Cosponsors

  • Steve Fitzpatrick

    Republican • House

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 491 • No: 3

House vote • 4/18/2025

Do Concur

Yes: 97 • No: 1

House vote • 4/17/2025

Do Concur

Yes: 100 • No: 0

Senate vote • 4/7/2025

Do Concur

Yes: 48 • No: 0

Senate vote • 4/5/2025

Do Concur

Yes: 50 • 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 Senate Amendments

    4/18/2025House

  9. 2nd Reading Senate Amendments

    4/17/2025House

  10. Returned to House with Amendments

    4/7/2025Senate

  11. 3rd Reading

    4/7/2025Senate

  12. 2nd Reading

    4/5/2025Senate

  13. Committee Report

    3/28/2025Senate

  14. Committee Executive Action

    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. 1st Reading

    3/14/2025Senate

  22. Transmitted to Senate

    3/7/2025House

  23. 3rd Reading

    3/7/2025House

  24. 2nd Reading

    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

Related Bills

Back to State Legislation