Updated August 24, 2026​

The Massachusetts Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics (MAND) is a state affiliate of thenation’s largest organization of nutrition and dietetics professionals. MAND representsover 1,100 members, most of whom are registered dietitian nutritionists (RDNs) andnutrition and dietetics technicians, registered (NDTRs).

Registered dietitian nutritionists (RDNs) are healthcare professionals with expertise in improving health outcomes through evidence-based medical nutrition therapy andnutrition counseling. The training required to become a registered dietitian nutritionist includes obtaining a master’s degree, completing a supervised practice program, passing a Registration Exam and engaging in ongoing continuing education.

 

Registered dietitian nutritionists (RDNs) work in many settings, including hospitals,health centers, nursing homes, schools, grocery stores and private practice. Registered dietitian nutritionists support the care of individuals with diabetes, eating disorders, gastrointestinal conditions, cardiovascular disease, cancer, malnutrition, pediatric growth failure, obesity and other acute and chronic conditions. This includes helping people successfully use GLP-1 medications by managing side effects and applying healthy eating habits that last beyond medication use.

 

MAND’s public policy priorities:

• To help policymakers improve health outcomes and reduce health care spending

• To ensure permanent payment parity for telehealth medical nutrition therapy

  • Act relative to telehealth parity for nutrition counseling (H.4340/S.716)

• To protect the public by strengthening the existing Massachusetts dietetic licensure statue

  • An Act relative to modernizing licensure of dietitians and nutritionists (H.453/S.253)

 

Modernizing Licensure of Dietitians and Nutritionists
The modernized Massachusetts Dietetics and Nutrition Practice Act proposes new
pathways to licensure for qualified providers, in turn expanding opportunities for
unlicensed persons to provide non-medical nutrition services and updating the licensed scope of practice to ensure licensees are able to provide timely, competent nutrition care. These changes reflect updated dietetic education standards, expanded nutrition credentialing programs, modern technology, and the evolving needs of our communities, while narrowing licensure requirements to the practice of medical nutrition therapy.*

Background
In 1999, the Massachusetts Dietetics and Nutrition Practice Act established licensure for dietitians and nutritionists, and no changes to the licensure statute have been made in the 25 years. Significant advancements and evolution in the practice of nutrition care have created the need for revised language to provide clarity around standards of practice for nutrition professionals in Massachusetts.

 

Situation
An Act Relative to Modernizing Licensure of Dietitians and Nutritionists (H.453/S.253)
was introduced in the 2025-2026 session by Senator Jason Lewis and Representative
Edward Philips. If enacted, it would create:

• Clear language regarding the standards of practice for licensed dietitian
  nutritionists and other nutrition professionals;

• Narrowly tailored regulation of medical nutrition therapy, the highest level of
  nutrition care that requires the highest level of skill and training, and also carries
  the highest risk of harm;

• A pathway to licensure for all qualified nutrition professionals; and

• Clarity and expansion of nutrition services that unlicensed persons, such as health
  coaches, trainers, and the like may provide, including non-medical weight control.

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The Massachusetts Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics (MAND) is a state affiliate of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, the world’s largest organization of nutrition and dietetics practitioners, representing more than 112,000 members, the majority of whom are registered dietitian nutritionists (RDNs). www.eatrightma.org

*The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services defines medical nutrition therapy as “nutritional diagnostic, therapy, and counseling services for the purpose of disease management.” Medical nutrition therapy involves in-depth nutrition assessment and a supportive process to set priorities, establish goals and create individualized action plans for patients.

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More about dietitian and nutritionist licensure
Modernization will:

• License all qualified dietetics and nutrition practitioners by establishing two licensure pathways: one for dietitians and one for nutritionists. This aligns credentials and scope of practice with training and competency.

• Reduce risk of harm by regulating the delivery of medical nutrition therapy (MNT), which can cause serious harm if delivered by an unqualified provider.

• Expand access to nutrition care by supporting payers in identifying and credentialing qualified providers of nutrition services, increasing access to MNT and reducing out-of-pocket costs for consumers.

• Preserve consumer choice of wellness providers by allowing unlicensed individuals, (e.g., health coaches) to provide non-MNT services, such as individualized nutrition guidance for primary chronic disease prevention, health coaching and behavior-change support.

Modernization will not:

• Prevent other licensed professionals from providing MNT that is aligned with their credential’s scope of practice.

• Prohibit trainers, coaches or wellness professionals from offering nutrition advice or services that do not constitute MNT (i.e., nonmedical wellness and prevention).

• Restrict sharing of information related to the marketing or distribution of foods, herbs or dietary supplements.

 

Want to learn more? Send us an email! publicpolicy@eatrightma.org