Dietitians
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The Dietitians program regulates licensed dietitians in Texas. A license is required to use the title "Licensed Dietitian. A license is not required to use the titles "Dietitian" or "Nutritionist."
"Dietetics" means the professional discipline of applying and integrating scientific principles of food, nutrition, biochemistry, physiology, management, and behavioral and social sciences under different health, social, cultural, physical, psychological, and economic conditions for the proper nourishment, care, and education of an individual or group throughout the life cycle to achieve and maintain human health. The term includes the development, management, and provision of nutrition services.
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News and Updates
TDLR Health Monitor – February 2023 Edition
February 24, 2023
Articles in the February 2023 edition of The Health Monitor include updates on:
- Legislative Update
- Annual Health Professions Report Published
- Texas Massage Therapist Examination Now Available
- Meet TDLR Staff At Upcoming Conferences
TDLR Health Monitor – October 2022 Edition
October 20, 2022
Articles in the October 2022 edition of The Health Monitor include updates on:
- Raising Awareness in October For Audiology, Dyslexia and Massage Therapy
- Proposed Rule Amendments For Orthotists and Prosthetists
- Podiatry Applications Now Available Online
- Test Proctors Needed For HFD Exams
Commission Adopts Rules
June 27, 2022
The Texas Commission of Licensing and Regulation adopted amendments to an existing rule at 16 Texas Administrative Code, Chapter 116, Subchapter B, §116.14, regarding the Dietitians program. The adopted rule makes the necessary rule changes for the Dietitians program to align the program rules with the advisory board changes made by House Bill 1560, 87th Legislature, Regular Session (2021), the Sunset legislation for the Department.
The adoption justification was published in the June 24, 2022, issue of the Texas Register (47 TexReg 3678) and is available online. The updated rule chapter will be available on the Secretary of State website upon its effective date of July 1, 2022.
TDLR Health Monitor – June 2022 Edition
June 24, 2022
Articles in the June 2022 edition of The Health Monitor includes updates on:
- Recent Rule Amendments
- Updated Massage Therapy Consultation Document
- Speech-Language Pathology Clinical Deficiency Plan
- Hear Her Texas
Commission Adopts Rules
April 22, 2022
The Texas Commission of Licensing and Regulation adopted new rules at 16 Texas Administrative Code, Chapter 100, §§100.1 - 100.3, 100.11, 100.60 - 100.65, and 100.70 - 100.72, the repeal of existing rules at §§100.1, 100.10, 100.31 and 100.50, amendments to existing rules at §§100.20, 100.30, and 100.40, with the addition of subchapter titles to an existing chapter, regarding General Provisions for Health-Related Programs. The adopted rules implement Senate Bill (SB) 40, 87th Legislature, Regular Session (2021) and Tex. Occ. Code §51.501 by providing guidelines to health professionals for the use of telehealth and remote continuing education, update and amend outdated rule language, and relocate certain podiatry-specific provisions to the podiatry chapter.
The adoption justification was published in the April 22, 2022, issue of the Texas Register (47 TexReg 2128). The updated rule chapter will be made available upon its effective date of May 1, 2022.
Continuing Education Requirements
October 25, 2021
HB 1560, the Sunset legislation for the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation, repealed Occupations Code §701.303 from the Dietitians statute, and transferred authority regarding the continuing education requirements to TDLR’s enabling statute, Chapter 51 of the Texas Occupations Code.
Please note that no changes were made, and Dietitian licensees are still required to obtain continuing education (CE) credits as specified in the program rules.
Call for Subject Matter Experts
February 26, 2020
TDLR is seeking subject matter experts (SMEs) to assist our Enforcement Division with complaint case reviews. SMEs review complaint cases, generally involving standard of care issues, during the investigation stage of the enforcement process.
We currently have a shortage of Behavior Analyst, Podiatrist, and Speech-Language Pathologist SMEs.
If you are interested in becoming a SME, please complete the Expert Witness Application. Once the application is submitted, you will receive a questionnaire to complete and return. Documents are screened and contracts are issued to approved SMEs.
All SMEs receive training on their role in reviewing complaint cases. Tasks may include the following:
- Reviewing documents and statements collected by investigators.
- Writing a report stating an opinion as to whether the respondent violated a rule or law in the provision of care to a client.
- Answering specific questions from the prosecutor about the case.
- Testifying as a witness for TDLR at hearings.
Our mission is to protect the citizens of Texas and the hard-working members of your profession. We cannot do that without your specialized knowledge of the complexities of your profession. Please consider becoming a SME today.
Notice to prospective licensees, current licensees renewing their licenses, and stakeholders
DECEMBER 4, 2020
Applicants can apply for new licenses and renew licenses online. TDLR strongly encourages you to take advantage of the opportunity to apply or renew online. The process is secure and easy to use – and faster than submitting paper-based applications and supporting documents, especially as TDLR deals with significant staffing issues related to COVID-19.
- Applications submitted online can take 30 days to process once TDLR receives all required documents.
- Applications submitted by mail may face significant delays, which may take up to 90 days once TDLR receives all required documents.
Access the online licensing system here. If you need to submit a document outside of the online application, please scan the document and send it to TDLR using our online customer service form.
If you need to submit a transcript, please ask your university to send electronic transcripts to TDLR at cs.transcript@tdlr.texas.gov instead of mailing in an original or certified copy of an original transcript. If your need to submit other documents, such as receipt of fingerprint submission, please scan the document and send it electronically to TDLR using our Customer Service form.
Thank you for helping us process your application or renewal more quickly.
86th Legislative Session Update
May 27, 2020
Notice to Health Care Practitioners of New Training Requirement
House Bill 2059 requires certain health care practitioners to complete a Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC) approved human trafficking prevention training course to renew their license. The bill also requires HHSC to post a list of approved courses on their website. Licensees are required to comply with the training requirements beginning September 1, 2020. For more information, visit our Human Trafficking Prevention Training for Health Care Practitioners webpage.
COVID-19: Continuing Education Waived
March 24, 2020
TDLR continuing education requirements are waived for all individual licenses expiring in March, April, and May 2020. Licensees still need to submit their renewal applications, pay the required fees, and TDLR will check their criminal histories, but they will not need to complete any TDLR-required continuing education this licensing cycle. (§51.405, Occupations Code)
Note: TDLR is not authorized to waive continuing education requirements imposed by a certifying or credentialing entity other than TDLR. If a certifying entity requires continuing education to maintain certification, and certification is required for Texas licensure, then that continuing education must be completed. If the certifying entity waives continuing education or allows it to be completed on a delayed basis due to COVID-19, then you may follow the certifying entity’s policy.
Please check the TDLR COVID-19 webpage for the most up-to-date information.
Guidance Statement on TDI Rules Related to Senate Bill 1264
December 18, 2019
The Texas Department of Insurance (TDI) has adopted emergency rules interpreting Senate Bill (SB) 1264’s prohibitions related to “surprise billing” (or “balance billing”). This Guidance Statement is intended to provide clear information concerning SB 1264 to Texas patients, clients, and health care providers under the regulatory authority of the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation (TDLR).
SB 1264 prohibits surprise billing, with certain exceptions. Health care providers under TDLR’s regulatory authority who seek to exercise the exceptions to SB 1264’s prohibitions against balance billing must comply with all provisions of SB 1264, including as interpreted by TDI rules. See the TDI SB 1264 webpage for additional information. SB 1264 applies to a health care or medical service or supply provided on or after January 1, 2020.
TDLR will be responsible for investigating complaints and taking disciplinary action against TDLR licensees for violations of SB 1264, including as interpreted by TDI rules. Any person who believes that a TDLR-licensed health care provider has committed a balance billing-related violation may file a complaint online with TDLR. Additionally, TDLR and TDI will work together to ensure that any complaints filed with TDI regarding TDLR licensees will be referred to TDLR and investigated.
TDLR will be working on the development of enforcement rules consistent with SB 1264 and TDI’s rules interpreting the statute. As rulemaking moves ahead, we look forward to a transparent process and engaging the public and stakeholders on this important issue.
Notice of Vacancy on the Dietitians Advisory Board
September 27, 2017
TDLR announces a vacancy on the Dietitians Advisory Board (Board) established by Texas Occupations Code, Chapter 701. The purpose of the Dietitians Advisory Board is to provide advice and recommendations to the Department on technical matters relevant to the administration of this chapter. This announcement is for a public member.
The Board consists of the following nine members appointed by the presiding officer of the Texas Commission of Licensing and Regulation (Commission), with the approval of the Commission:
1. six licensed dietitians, each of whom has been licensed under Chapter 701 for not less than three years before the member's date of appointment; and
In appointing dietitian members to the advisory board, the presiding officer of the commission shall attempt to maintain balanced representation among the following primary areas of expertise included in the professional discipline of dietetics:
(a) clinical;
(b) educational;
(c) management;
(d) consultation; and
(e) community.
2. three members who represent the public.
Members serve staggered six-year terms. The terms of three members begin on September 1 of each odd-numbered year.
Interested persons should submit an application on the Department website. Applicants can also request an application from the Department by telephone (800) 803-9202 or e-mail at advisory.boards@tdlr.texas.gov.
Advisory Board Meetings
January 16, 2020
The Dietitians Advisory Board met January 16, 2020 in Austin. The agenda and staff reports (PDF) are available online. The meeting was archived and is available on TDLR's YouTube channel.