Updated: February 2, 2000

The Committee Substitute for Senate Bill 88 codifies professional title licensure of dietitians and nutritionists. Senate Bill 88 increases public access to the services of dietitians and nutritionists, helps to ensure the quality of such services, and protects consumers.

Senate Bill 88 represents sound public policy because it protects Alaskans from the potential harm that could be caused by untrained individuals. It accomplishes this by allowing Alaskans to differentiate between individuals who are qualified nutritionists and dietitians and those who are not. Also, with the advent of managed care and HMO's, it is necessary to make sure that the work of dietitians and nutritionists will be performed by experts in that field. There is legislation pending in Congress, which includes reimbursement for nutrition services within the Medicare Program, but only to those recognized by the state as nutrition professionals.

Senate Bill 88 contains provisions which ensure that individuals with nutrition practice experience and bachelor's, master's, or doctoral degrees from accredited schools may continue to work in Alaska. There are over 120 registered dietitians and nutritionists that live throughout Alaska. They work in hospitals, nursing homes, public health clinics, school nutrition programs and with athletic programs. In hospitals and clinics they are part of the health care team (physicians, nurses and therapists) providing education in diabetes, heart disease, kidney failure, digestive disorders, eating disorders, high risk pregnancies, AIDS and cancer treatments, to name just a few.

The licensing of dietitians and nutritionists enables the public to identify individuals who are qualified by education, experience and examination to provide nutrition care services. Recognition defines the dietetics and nutrition practice which includes the integration and application of the principles derived from the sciences of nutrition, biochemistry, food physiology, management, and behavioral and social sciences to achieve and maintain the health of the citizens of Alaska through the provision of nutrition care services.

Senate Bill 88 corrects the current situation where any person can call themselves a "nutritionist" or "dietitian" without even one day of formal education or experience. This can endanger the consumer with harmful, expensive or even dangerous advice and unproven therapies. Senate Bill 88 would reduce this danger to the public, through the licensing of dietitians and nutritionists.

Senate Bill 88 does not establish a new board. The licensing program will be conducted by the Division of Occupational Licensing, and will have no cost to the state, since licensing fees from the dietitians and nutritionists will pay for all of the program's administrative costs. It is also important to note that Senate Bill 88 will in no way impact other professions practicing nutrition or health food retailers unless they refer to themselves as a nutritionist or dietitian without meeting the standards that this bill would codify.

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