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TennesseeHB 2029114th General Assembly (2025-2026)House

AN ACT to amend Tennessee Code Annotated, Title 4 and Title 63, relative to dietetics and nutrition.

Sponsored By: Sponsor information unavailable

Signed by Governor

Dieticians and Nutritionists

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

7 provisions identified: 0 benefits, 1 costs, 6 mixed.

New license standards for nutrition professionals

Beginning January 1, 2028, Tennessee sets separate paths to dietitian and nutritionist licenses. Dietitian applicants generally need an accredited master's or doctoral program, 1,000 approved supervised hours, and the national registration exam. Current qualifying Commission on Dietetic Registration registration also provides a licensing path. Nutritionist applicants generally need an approved master's or doctoral degree and qualifying coursework. Coursework includes 15 semester hours in clinical or life sciences, including three in anatomy and physiology or equivalent studies. It also includes 15 semester hours in nutrition and metabolism, including six in biochemistry. Nutritionists need 1,000 supervised hours, including at least 200 each in assessment, intervention, and monitoring and evaluation. They also need the Certified Nutrition Specialist exam, an approved equivalent, or current qualifying certification. Required supervised work generally must finish within five years after education; limited extensions require extraordinary circumstances. Certain applicants whose exam results are over five years old need 75 continuing education hours for each five-year period.

Licensing paths for incoming nutrition professionals

Beginning January 1, 2028, the board can license out-of-state practitioners with current credentials and qualifications substantially equivalent to Tennessee's. Applicants who finish required education and experience can get temporary permits after applying for or taking the exam and paying a fee. Permits last one year, with renewal for up to six months when the board accepts the reason. Temporary dietitian permit holders must work under a licensed dietitian. Temporary nutritionist permit holders must work under a licensed dietitian or nutritionist.

Nutrition trainees need documented live supervision

Beginning January 1, 2028, qualified supervisors must direct nutrition trainees' work, accept responsibility, and review care records. Supervisors must remain on-site or continuously available through live video, and respond when patients request help. Medical nutrition therapy supervisors must meet the law's licensing, certification, or board-established qualification standards. Assigned work must fit both the supervisor's authority and the trainee's training and experience. Supervisors and trainees must document goals, assignments, access to supervision, and performance reviews.

Nutrition professionals pay fees and renew

Beginning January 1, 2028, the board sets application, exam, license, renewal, reciprocity, and related fees. Fees must cover its direct costs and stay within legal limits; the law does not specify dollar amounts. Licenses renew every two years and are automatically revoked unless renewal and payment occur within 60 days after the deadline. The board can reinstate a license for good cause after past-due fees and a nonrefundable reinstatement fee are paid.

Nutrition services allowed without Tennessee licenses

Beginning January 1, 2028, exemptions allow supervised students and trainees, qualifying nutrition educators, and WIC workers to provide covered services. Qualifying providers can also offer non-medical weight-control, general nutrition, wellness, coaching, and education services without Tennessee licenses. These exemptions retain limits on medical nutrition therapy and protected professional titles. Out-of-state practitioners can provide medical nutrition therapy by telehealth with licenses or certifications in good standing. They must also satisfy the law's practitioner-patient relationship or consultation requirement involving Tennessee care.

License transition and retirement for nutrition professionals

People holding dietitian/nutritionist licenses on January 1, 2028, get dietitian licenses upon renewal if in good standing and active or retired. People who applied before that date can qualify under earlier requirements, but must follow the new chapter when renewing afterward. Retired practitioners can stop registering by filing the board's affidavit with their retirement date and other required information. Returning to medical nutrition therapy or seeking to use a protected title requires a license application and compliance with board requirements.

Nutrition care oversight and provider penalties

Beginning January 1, 2028, the law restricts medical nutrition therapy to licensed practitioners, subject to exemptions, and protects professional titles. Unlicensed medical nutrition therapy is a Class A misdemeanor. A new nine-member board includes five dietitians, two nutritionists, one physician, and one public member, appointed by the governor. All members must live in Tennessee; professional members need five years of practice or teaching experience. Members serve three-year terms, limited to two consecutive terms. The board sets standards, handles complaints, and can participate in the Dietitians Licensure Compact. For fraud, unethical conduct, specified substance misuse or crimes, and other violations, it can deny, suspend, or revoke licenses or permits. It can also order activity to stop and impose administrative penalties up to $500. Only people found to have violated the law can be charged reasonable, proportionate prosecution costs, including appropriate investigation costs.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsors

There is no primary sponsor on record.

Cosponsors

  • Antonio Parkinson

    Democrat • House

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 209 • No: 1

Senate vote • 4/21/2026

FLOOR VOTE: Third Consideration 4/21/2026

Yes: 32 • No: 0

House vote • 4/13/2026

FLOOR VOTE: REGULAR CALENDAR AS AMENDED PASSAGE ON THIRD CONSIDERATION 4/13/2026

Yes: 94 • No: 1

House vote • 4/13/2026

HOUSE CALENDAR & RULES COMMITTEE

Yes: 0 • No: 0

House vote • 4/7/2026

HOUSE FINANCE, WAYS, AND MEANS COMMITTEE

Yes: 29 • No: 0

House vote • 4/1/2026

HOUSE FINANCE, WAYS, AND MEANS SUBCOMMITTEE

Yes: 13 • No: 0

House vote • 3/23/2026

HOUSE GOVERNMENT OPERATIONS COMMITTEE

Yes: 13 • No: 0

House vote • 3/17/2026

HOUSE HEALTH COMMITTEE

Yes: 20 • No: 0

House vote • 3/4/2026

HOUSE HEALTH SUBCOMMITTEE

Yes: 8 • No: 0

Actions Timeline

  1. Effective date(s) 05/19/2026, 01/01/2028

    5/26/2026

  2. Pub. Ch. 1002

    5/26/2026

  3. Signed by Governor.

    5/19/2026

  4. Transmitted to Governor for his action.

    5/7/2026House

  5. Signed by Senate Speaker

    5/5/2026Senate

  6. Signed by H. Speaker

    4/30/2026House

  7. Enrolled; ready for sig. of H. Speaker.

    4/27/2026House

  8. Passed Senate, Ayes 32, Nays 0

    4/21/2026Senate

  9. Amendment withdrawn (Amendment 2 - SA0731)

    4/21/2026Senate

  10. Amendment withdrawn (Amendment 1 - SA0730)

    4/21/2026Senate

  11. Placed on Senate Regular Calendar for 4/21/2026

    4/20/2026Senate

  12. Senate Reset on calendar for 4/21/2026

    4/20/2026Senate

  13. Placed on Senate Regular Calendar for 4/20/2026

    4/17/2026Senate

  14. Placed on Senate Regular Calendar for 4/20/2026

    4/17/2026Senate

  15. Senate Reset on calendar for 4/20/2026

    4/16/2026Senate

  16. Senate substituted House Bill for companion Senate Bill.

    4/16/2026Senate

  17. Received from House, Passed on First Consideration

    4/14/2026Senate

  18. Engrossed; ready for transmission to Sen.

    4/13/2026House

  19. Sponsor(s) Added.

    4/13/2026House

  20. Passed H., as am., Ayes 94, Nays 1, PNV 0

    4/13/2026House

  21. H. adopted am. (Amendment 2 - HA1068)

    4/13/2026House

  22. Am. withdrawn. (Amendment 1 - HA0726)

    4/13/2026House

  23. H. Placed on Regular Calendar for 4/13/2026

    4/9/2026House

  24. Placed on cal. Calendar & Rules Committee for 4/9/2026

    4/8/2026House

  25. Rec. for pass. if am., ref. to Calendar & Rules Committee

    4/7/2026House

Bill Text

  • HA1068 (Substitute)

    4/13/2026

    PDF

  • Enrolled / Public Chapter

    PDF

  • Fiscal Note

    PDF

  • HA0726

    PDF

  • Introduced

    PDF

  • SA0730

    PDF

  • SA0731

    PDF

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