Title 5. Licensed Dietitian-Nutritionists — Subtitle 1. Definitions; General Provisions
Statutes in effect as of October 1, 2026.
Md. Code Ann., Health Occ. § 5-101 (2026)
Title 5. Licensed Dietitian-Nutritionists
Subtitle 1. Definitions; General Provisions
§ 5–101LinkCopy Citation
(a)
In this subtitle the following words have the meanings indicated.
(b)
“Board” means the State Board of Dietetic Practice.
(c)
“Certified nutrition specialist” means an individual certified by the Board for Certification of Nutrition Specialists, the accrediting body of the American Nutrition Association.
(d)
“Dietitian-nutritionist” means, unless the context requires otherwise, an individual who is licensed by the Board to practice dietetics.
(e)
“License” means, unless the context requires otherwise, a license issued by the Board to practice dietetics.
(f)
(1)
“Medical device” means a health care product used in the diagnosis, treatment, or prevention of disease.
(2)
“Medical device” does not mean:
(i)
A drug;
(ii)
A surgical or dental instrument;
(iii)
Physical therapy equipment;
(iv)
X-ray apparatus; or
(v)
A component part or accessory of any of the items listed in this paragraph.
(g)
“Medical nutrition” means the nutritional advice or counsel provided to an individual by a licensee in their professional capacity that is designed for an individual to alleviate a specific physiological complaint, condition, or symptom.
(h)
(1)
“Practice dietetics” means to apply the principles derived from integrating knowledge of food, biochemistry, physiology, management science, behavioral science, and social science to human nutrition.
(2)
“Practice dietetics” includes:
(i)
Assessing individual and community food practices and nutritional status using anthropometric, biochemical, clinical, dietary, and demographic data, for clinical, research, and program planning purposes;
(ii)
Developing, establishing, and evaluating nutritional care plans that establish priorities, goals, and objectives for meeting nutrient needs for individuals or groups;
(iii)
Nutrition counseling and education as a part of preventive or restorative health care throughout the life cycle;
(iv)
Determining, applying, and evaluating standards for food and nutrition services; and
(v)
Applying scientific research to the role of food in the maintenance of health and the treatment of disease.
(i)
“Registered dietitian” means an individual registered with the Commission on Dietetic Registration, the accrediting body of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics.
(j)
“Supervision” means the management of an individual who aids in the practice of dietetics by a licensed dietitian-nutritionist who may or may not be on the premises.
Md. Code Ann., Health Occ. § 5-102 (2026)
Title 5. Licensed Dietitian-Nutritionists
Subtitle 1. Definitions; General Provisions
§ 5–102LinkCopy Citation
The purpose of this title is to protect the lives and health of the people of this State by:
(1)
Setting standards for the practice of dietetics; and
(2)
Limiting the use of the title “licensed dietitian-nutritionist” to individuals who meet those standards.
Md. Code Ann., Health Occ. § 5-103 (2026)
Title 5. Licensed Dietitian-Nutritionists
Subtitle 1. Definitions; General Provisions
§ 5–103LinkCopy Citation
(a)
This title does not limit the right of an individual to practice a health occupation that the individual is authorized to practice under this article.
(b)
This title does not limit the right of an individual or group to provide services and information related to nonmedical nutrition while:
(1)
Employed by or operating a health, weight loss, or fitness program;
(2)
Employed by or operating a health food store;
(3)
Employed by or operating a business that sells health products including dietary supplements, food, or food materials, or provides nonmedical nutritional information or distributes nutritional literature; or
(4)
Conducting classes or disseminating information related to nonmedical nutrition.
(c)
This title does not limit the right of an individual to provide services related only to the purchasing, preparation, and service of food to groups of people.
(d)
This title does not limit the right of an individual to provide nonmedical nutritional information or to distribute nutritional literature.