HOUSE BILL REPORT

ESHB 1513

BYHouse Committee on Health Care (originally sponsored by Representatives Braddock, Lewis, Bumgarner, Day and Dellwo)

Providing for certification of dietitians and nutritionists.

House Committe on Health Care

Majority Report:  The substitute bill be substituted therefor and the substitute bill do pass.  (9)

      Signed by Representatives Braddock, Chair; Bristow, Bumgarner, Cantwell, Lewis, Lux, D. Sommers, Sprenkle and Vekich.

House Staff:John Welsh (786-7133)

AS PASSED HOUSE FEBRUARY 10, 1988

BACKGROUND:

Currently, the practice by dietitians and nutritionists of general nutrition services, involving the application of scientific principles of nutrition to achieve and maintain health, is not regulated by the state as a distinct and independent profession.

SUMMARY:

Dietitians and nutritionists meeting the qualifications of the law may be certified by the Department of Licensing, and no person may otherwise represent themselves as "certified dietitians" or "certified nutritionists."

A person may be certified by the department as a dietitian who is at least 18 years old; has received a baccalaureate degree in nutrition from an accredited college; has completed 900 hours of pre-professional experience or an undergraduate program in dietetics approved by the director of licensing; and passed an approved examination.

A person may be certified by the department as a nutritionist who possesses the qualifications of a dietitian and who has received at least a master's degree in nutrition from an accredited college.

The director of licensing is authorized to adopt implementing rules, establish forms, hire staff, maintain records, conduct hearings, investigate violations of the chapter, issue subpoenas and charges for denial of certification, conduct disciplinary hearings and set certification fees.

The processes of the Uniform Disciplinary Act for the regulated health professions govern the discipline of certified dietitians and nutritionists.

Dietitians and nutritionists credentialed in other states with equivalent standards may be certified without examination.

Certification and re-certification fees are established by the director pursuant to law.

An advisory committee of five members, appointed by the director, is established.  Two members are dietitians and two members are nutritionists possessing five years experience respectively; one member represents the public; and the members serve staggered four-year terms.  Members of the committee must meet at least annually, are immune from civil liability in the course of their duties, and are entitled to per diem reimbursement pursuant to law.

Appropriation:    $70,178 to the Department of Licensing from the health professions account fund.

Fiscal Note:      Requested January 21, 1988.

House Committee ‑ Testified For:    Natalie Gonzalez, Washington State Dietetic Association; Dixie Nothwang.

House Committee - Testified Against:      Rob Matchett, National Nutritional Foods Association.

House Committee - Testimony For:    Dietitians and nutritionists should be recognized as a distinct health profession. The public should have a choice of highly qualified practitioners.  The public is protected from unprofessional conduct through the Uniform Disciplinary Act.

House Committee - Testimony Against:      Dietitians are attempting to get licensure and an exclusive franchise for practicing in this area.  They are after third-party insurance reimbursement.  They cannot exclusively use the title "(CN)" because it is registered as a title for students completing a nutrition education course.