All Roll Calls
Yes: 209 • No: 1
TennesseeHB 2029114th General Assembly (2025-2026)HouseWALLET
AN ACT to amend Tennessee Code Annotated, Title 4 and Title 63, relative to dietetics and nutrition.
Sponsored By: Jeremy Faison, Jeremy (Republican)
Became Law
Dieticians and Nutritionists
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Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
7 provisions identified: 2 benefits, 1 costs, 4 mixed.
Higher standards to be a dietitian
To get a dietitian license in Tennessee, you must complete a master’s or doctoral degree from an ACEND-accredited program. You must also finish a planned, continuous supervised practice that the board approves and ACEND accredits. These rules set higher education and training before you can be licensed.
License fees, lapses, and retired status
The board sets application, exam, renewal, reciprocity, and other license fees. If you do not renew and pay the biannual fee on time, your license is automatically revoked unless you pay within 60 days. Reinstatement is up to the board and requires all past-due fees plus a nonrefundable amount the board sets. If you retire, you can file a board affidavit and stop registering. To return to practice or use a protected title, you must reapply and meet board rules.
Who can practice and use titles
The law sets who can do what. Dietitians can give medical nutrition therapy for complex conditions and in hospitals and clinics. Nutritionists are limited to low-acuity outpatient care for non-complex needs. A nutritionist may order oral therapeutic diets; a dietitian may order oral, enteral, or parenteral therapeutic diets. Only licensed people may use protected titles like dietitian or nutritionist; breaking this is a Class A misdemeanor. Some people are exempt for limited tasks, such as doctors, other licensed health workers doing incidental medical nutrition therapy, supervised students, certain school or WIC staff, and some providers of general nutrition information.
Temporary permits and reciprocity to work
If you finished the required schooling and supervised experience and applied for the exam, the board may give you a temporary permit. It lasts one year and can be renewed for up to six more months with a good reason. You must work under a licensed supervisor. If you hold a current license in another U.S. state or territory with substantially equivalent standards, the board can grant you a Tennessee license without new exams or schooling.
Telehealth access from out-of-state providers
Out-of-state dietitians and nutritionists in good standing can give medical nutrition therapy by telehealth to Tennessee patients in limited cases. This is allowed when they consult with a Tennessee-licensed practitioner who knows the patient, when the patient is only temporarily in Tennessee, or for temporary follow-up under an existing practitioner-patient relationship.
Stronger supervision for students and trainees
Supervisors must direct, verify, and approve student and trainee nutrition services. They must set training, review charts often, and take responsibility for records and care. For medical nutrition therapy, the supervisor must meet state licensure or board criteria. Supervisors must be on-site or available by live two-way video when required.
New state board and enforcement tools
Tennessee creates a nine-member Board of Dietitian and Nutritionist Examiners. The board makes rules on ethics, practice standards, and continuing education, and can investigate complaints. It can deny, suspend, or revoke licenses and fine up to $500. Disciplinary cases follow the Uniform Administrative Procedures Act. The board can issue subpoenas with a two-thirds vote, recover prosecution costs, and ask courts for injunctions. Existing rules stay in place until the board changes them.
Sponsors & Cosponsors
Sponsor
Jeremy Faison, Jeremy
Republican • House
Cosponsors
Antonio Parkinson, Antonio
Democrat • House
Roll Call Votes
Senate vote • 4/21/2026
FLOOR VOTE: Third Consideration 4/21/2026
Yes: 32 • No: 0
House vote • 4/13/2026
HOUSE CALENDAR & RULES COMMITTEE
Yes: 0 • 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 • 4/7/2026
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
Pub. Ch. 1002
5/26/2026Effective date(s) 05/19/2026, 01/01/2028
5/26/2026Signed by Governor.
5/19/2026Transmitted to Governor for his action.
5/7/2026HouseSigned by Senate Speaker
5/5/2026SenateSigned by H. Speaker
4/30/2026HouseEnrolled; ready for sig. of H. Speaker.
4/27/2026HouseAmendment withdrawn (Amendment 1 - SA0730)
4/21/2026SenateAmendment withdrawn (Amendment 2 - SA0731)
4/21/2026SenatePassed Senate, Ayes 32, Nays 0
4/21/2026SenateSenate Reset on calendar for 4/21/2026
4/20/2026SenatePlaced on Senate Regular Calendar for 4/21/2026
4/20/2026SenatePlaced on Senate Regular Calendar for 4/20/2026
4/17/2026SenatePlaced on Senate Regular Calendar for 4/20/2026
4/17/2026SenateSenate substituted House Bill for companion Senate Bill.
4/16/2026SenateSenate Reset on calendar for 4/20/2026
4/16/2026SenateReceived from House, Passed on First Consideration
4/14/2026SenateAm. withdrawn. (Amendment 1 - HA0726)
4/13/2026HouseH. adopted am. (Amendment 2 - HA1068)
4/13/2026HousePassed H., as am., Ayes 94, Nays 1, PNV 0
4/13/2026HouseSponsor(s) Added.
4/13/2026HouseEngrossed; ready for transmission to Sen.
4/13/2026HouseH. Placed on Regular Calendar for 4/13/2026
4/9/2026HousePlaced on cal. Calendar & Rules Committee for 4/9/2026
4/8/2026HouseRec. for pass. if am., ref. to Calendar & Rules Committee
4/7/2026House
Bill Text
HA1068 (Substitute)
4/13/2026
Enrolled / Public Chapter
Fiscal Note
HA0726
Introduced
SA0730
SA0731
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