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ARIZONA STATE SENATE
Fifty-Fourth Legislature, Second Regular Session
registered dietitian nutritionists; title; orders
Purpose
Allows a person to use the titles registered dietitian (RD), registered dietitian nutritionist (RDN) or their abbreviations only if that person has the appropriate credentials from the Commission on Dietetic Registration (CDR) to use the designation.
Background
The CDR is the credentialing agency and organization unit of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics and serves the public by establishing and enforcing standards for certification and recertification of RDs and RDNs and by issuing credentials to individuals who meet those standards (CDR).
According to the Arizona Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics (AZAND), an RDN is a food and nutrition expert who has met the minimum academic and professional requirements to qualify for the credential. In order to become an RDN, an individual must: 1) complete a bachelor's degree and course work approved by the Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics (Council); 2) complete a Council-accredited supervised practice program; 3) pass a national exam from CDR; and 4) complete continuing professional educational requirements to maintain registration (AZAND).
Current statute defines a RD as a person who meets the qualifications of the credentialing agency for the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics. Additionally, statute defines qualified nutrition professional as a nutrition professional who is deemed qualified by a hospital for which the person works (A.R.S. § 36-416).
According to AZAND, there is currently no statute that dictates the regulation and licensure of RDs and RDNs. According to AZAND, RDNs are nutrition experts that provide complex nutrition care services in hospitals, care facilities, private practice, dialysis centers and other venues (AZAND sunrise report).
There is no anticipated fiscal impact to the state General Fund associated with this legislation.
Provisions
1. Allows a person to use the titles RD, RDN or their abbreviations in any advertisement, publication or orally or in writing to any member of the public only if that person has the appropriate credentials from the CDR to use those designations.
2. Permits a hospital to allow an RDN to order the following if initially authorized by medical staff:
a) diets;
b) a change in diet orders;
c) enteral feeding;
d) durable medical equipment;
e) nutritional supplementation;
f) parenteral nutrition; and
g) medical nutrition therapy.
3. Permits a hospital to allow an RDN to issue the aforementioned orders if the hospital's written policies and procedures:
a) authorize RDNs to issue such orders and perform medical nutrition therapy; and
b) address the hospital's response to adverse events that arise as a result of orders issued by an RDN.
4. Requires the Arizona Department of Health Services to impose a civil penalty of up to $500 for using the titles RD, RDN or their abbreviations without the appropriate credentials.
5. Changes the definition of RD to instead apply to RDN.
6. Makes technical and conforming changes.
7. Becomes effective on the general effective date.
Prepared by Senate Research
February 17, 2020
CRS/KS/kja