HOUSE BILL REPORT

ESSB 5669

BYSenate Committee on Health Care & Corrections (originally sponsored by Senators Wojahn and Deccio)

Providing for certification of dietitians and nutritionists.

House Committe on Health Care

Majority Report:  Do pass.  (10)

      Signed by Representatives Braddock, Chair; Day, Vice Chair; Bristow, Brooks, Bumgarner, Cantwell, Lewis, Lux, Sprenkle and Vekich.

House Staff:John Welsh (786-7133)

AS PASSED HOUSE MARCH 3, 1988

BACKGROUND:

The state does not regulate dietitians or nutritionists.  The practice of dietetics generally involves the science of applying the principals of nutrition to the feeding of individuals and groups under differing economic and social conditions or for preventative, curative or restorative purposes.  The practice of a nutritionist generally involves the counseling of healthy individuals in the selection of appropriate food to meet normal nutritional needs.

The State Health Coordinating Council (SHCC) has recommended that dietitians and nutritionists be regulated by the state.  In its review of the profession, the SHCC concluded that the "public needs a way of identifying practitioners who are qualified to diagnose and prescribe dietetic/nutrition information accepted by the majority of scientifically-based health care professionals".

The SHCC recommended certification as the appropriate level of state regulation.  Certification restricts professional titles and establishes educational and professional requirements for individuals who practice under the restricted titles.

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 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 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 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.  Three members are dietitians and one member is a nutritionist 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 legal liability in the course of their duties, and are entitled to per diem reimbursement pursuant to law.

Appropriation:    $70,178 to the Health Professions Account.

Fiscal Note:      Available.

House Committee ‑ Testified For:    Kathleen Clark, Washington State Dietetic Association.

House Committee - Testified Against:      None Presented.

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:      None Presented.