Dietitian/nutritionist; requirements for licensure.

(1) Any person desiring to be licensed as a dietitian/nutritionist shall apply to the department to take the licensure examination.

(2) Applicants for licensure must also submit to background screening in accordance with s. 456.0135.

(3) The department shall examine any applicant who the board certifies has completed the application form, submitted to background screening, and remitted the application and examination fees specified in s. 468.508 and who:

(a)1. Possesses a baccalaureate or postbaccalaureate degree with a major course of study in human nutrition, food and nutrition, dietetics, or food management, or an equivalent major course of study, from a school or program accredited, at the time of the applicant’s graduation, by the appropriate accrediting agency recognized by the Commission on Recognition of Postsecondary Accreditation and the United States Department of Education; and

2. Has completed a preprofessional experience component of not less than 900 hours or has education or experience determined to be equivalent by the board; or

(b)1. Has an academic degree, from a foreign country, that has been validated by an accrediting agency approved by the United States Department of Education as equivalent to the baccalaureate or postbaccalaureate degree conferred by a regionally accredited college or university in the United States;

2. Has completed a major course of study in human nutrition, food and nutrition, dietetics, or food management; and

3. Has completed a preprofessional experience component of not less than 900 hours or has education or experience determined to be equivalent by the board.

(4) The board shall waive the examination requirement for an applicant who presents evidence satisfactory to the board that the applicant is:

(a) A registered dietitian or registered dietitian/nutritionist who is registered with the commission and complies with the qualifications under this section; or

(b) A certified nutrition specialist who is certified by the Certification Board for Nutrition Specialists or who is a Diplomate of the American Clinical Board of Nutrition and complies with the qualifications under this section.

(5) The department shall license as a dietitian/nutritionist any applicant who has remitted the initial licensure fee and has passed the examination in accordance with this section.