The Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation proposes changes to the rules at 16 TAC Chapter 116, Dietitians. The Department requests comments on the proposed rule changes and information related to the cost, benefit, or effect of the proposed rule changes, including any applicable data, research, or analysis.
What are the proposed rule changes?
The proposed rule changes:
- update the advisory board rules by grouping the existing separate rules into one new rule, by citing to the statutes instead of repeating the text of the statutes, and by implementing the changes made by SB 2075;
- clarify what activities and courses may receive continuing education credit;
- update the continuing education hours that licensed dietitians may receive for publishing books or journal articles;
- require licensed dietitians to complete three hours of continuing education relating to metabolic health, ultra-processed foods, or topics recommended by the new Texas Nutrition Advisory Committee for any license renewal on or after January 1, 2027;
- include human trafficking prevention training as a course that may receive continuing education credit;
- reflect that the continuing education audit rules under 16 TAC, Chapter 60 apply to licensed dietitians;
- reword and re-organize continuing education rules so they are easier to read, and;
- repeal outdated and redundant continuing education rules.
When and where can I review the proposed rule changes?
The proposed rule changes will be published in the Proposed Rules section of the Texas Register on September 18, 2026. To locate these proposed rule changes on or after that date just follow these steps:
- Click this link to the Texas Register.
- Select html or pdf format for the “Current Issue” if the date shown is the date published, or under “Previous Issues” if more than a week has passed since publication. (The Texas Register is published each Friday.)
- Scroll down and click on “Proposed Rules.”
- Look for the heading “Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation” and click the subheading “Dietitians.”
How and where can I submit comments and information on the proposed rule changes?
Comments and information on the proposed rule changes may be submitted online; by facsimile to (512) 475-3032; or by mail to Shamica Mason, Legal Assistant, Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation, P.O. Box 12157, Austin, Texas 78711.
Any information that is submitted must include an explanation of how and why the submitted information is specific to the proposed rule changes. Please do not submit copyrighted, confidential, or proprietary information.
The Department will accept comments and information on the proposed rule changes until October 19, 2026.