{"formats":[{"name":"JSON","format":"json","url":"\/downloads\/2026\/code-json\/54.1-2731.json"},{"name":"Plain Text","format":"text","url":"\/downloads\/2026\/code-text\/54.1-2731.txt"},{"name":"XML","format":"xml","url":"\/downloads\/2026\/code-xml\/54.1-2731.xml"},{"name":"HTML","format":"html","url":"\/downloads\/2026\/code-html\/54.1-2731.html"}],"law_id":368313,"edition_id":2,"section_id":368313,"structure_id":52496,"section_number":"54.1-2731","catch_line":"Prohibited terms; penalty","history":"1995, c. 391; 2016, c. 91; 2025, c. 341.","full_text":"A\n\nAs used in this section, “nutritional genomics” means the consideration of biochemical or genetic information to evaluate how genetics affect gene function and how genetic variation alters nutrient response, including the study of how dietary and other lifestyle choices influence the function of humans at the molecular, cellular, organismal, and populational levels.\n\nB\n\nNo person shall hold himself out to be or advertise or permit to be advertised that such person is a dietitian or nutritionist unless such person:\n\n1\n\nHas (i) received a baccalaureate or higher degree in nutritional sciences, community nutrition, public health nutrition, food and nutrition, dietetics, or human nutrition from a regionally accredited institution of higher education and (ii) satisfactorily completed a program of supervised clinical experience approved by the Commission on Dietetic Registration of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics;\n\n2\n\nHas active registration through the Commission on Dietetic Registration of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics;\n\n3\n\nHas an active certificate of the Board for Certification of Nutrition Specialists as a Certified Nutrition Specialist;\n\n4\n\nHas an active certification as a Diplomate of the American Clinical Board of Nutrition;\n\n5\n\nHas a current license or certificate as a dietitian or nutritionist issued by another state; or\n\n6\n\nHas the minimum requisite education, training and experience determined by the Department of Health Professions appropriate for such person to hold himself out to be, or advertise or allow himself to be advertised as, a dietitian or nutritionist.\n\t\t\t\tThe restrictions of this section apply to the use of the terms “dietitian” and “nutritionist” as used alone or in any combination with the terms “licensed,” “certified,” or “registered,” as those terms also imply a minimum level of education, training and competence.\n\nC\n\nAny person who meets the requirements set forth in subsection B who receives nutritional genomics testing information shall maintain such information in accordance with applicable federal and state law.\n\nD\n\nA person who does not meet the requirements of subsection B but who (i) has a baccalaureate degree with a major in food and nutrition or dietetics or has equivalent hours of food and nutrition coursework and (ii) has two years of work experience in nutrition or dietetics concurrent with or subsequent to completion of such degree may hold himself out as a dietitian or nutritionist, provided he is employed by or under contract to a government agency and practices solely within the scope of such employment.\n\nE\n\nAny person who willfully violates the provisions of this section is guilty of a Class 3 misdemeanor.\n\n","order_by":null,"text":{"0":{"id":1371600,"text":"As used in this section, “nutritional genomics” means the consideration of biochemical or genetic information to evaluate how genetics affect gene function and how genetic variation alters nutrient response, including the study of how dietary and other lifestyle choices influence the function of humans at the molecular, cellular, organismal, and populational levels.","type":"section","prefixes":["A"],"prefix":"A","entire_prefix":"A","prefix_anchor":"A","level":1,"next_prefix":"B"},"1":{"id":1371601,"text":"No person shall hold himself out to be or advertise or permit to be advertised that such person is a dietitian or nutritionist unless such person:","type":"section","prefixes":["B"],"prefix":"B","entire_prefix":"B","prefix_anchor":"B","level":1,"prior_prefix":"A","next_prefix":"B1"},"2":{"id":1371602,"text":"Has (i) received a baccalaureate or higher degree in nutritional sciences, community nutrition, public health nutrition, food and nutrition, dietetics, or human nutrition from a regionally accredited institution of higher education and (ii) satisfactorily completed a program of supervised clinical experience approved by the Commission on Dietetic Registration of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics;","type":"section","prefixes":["B","1"],"prefix":"1","entire_prefix":"B1","prefix_anchor":"B1","level":2,"prior_prefix":"B","next_prefix":"B2"},"3":{"id":1371603,"text":"Has active registration through the Commission on Dietetic Registration of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics;","type":"section","prefixes":["B","2"],"prefix":"2","entire_prefix":"B2","prefix_anchor":"B2","level":2,"prior_prefix":"B1","next_prefix":"B3"},"4":{"id":1371604,"text":"Has an active certificate of the Board for Certification of Nutrition Specialists as a Certified Nutrition Specialist;","type":"section","prefixes":["B","3"],"prefix":"3","entire_prefix":"B3","prefix_anchor":"B3","level":2,"prior_prefix":"B2","next_prefix":"B4"},"5":{"id":1371605,"text":"Has an active certification as a Diplomate of the American Clinical Board of Nutrition;","type":"section","prefixes":["B","4"],"prefix":"4","entire_prefix":"B4","prefix_anchor":"B4","level":2,"prior_prefix":"B3","next_prefix":"B5"},"6":{"id":1371606,"text":"Has a current license or certificate as a dietitian or nutritionist issued by another state; or","type":"section","prefixes":["B","5"],"prefix":"5","entire_prefix":"B5","prefix_anchor":"B5","level":2,"prior_prefix":"B4","next_prefix":"B6"},"7":{"id":1371607,"text":"Has the minimum requisite education, training and experience determined by the Department of Health Professions appropriate for such person to hold himself out to be, or advertise or allow himself to be advertised as, a dietitian or nutritionist.\n\t\t\t\tThe restrictions of this section apply to the use of the terms “dietitian” and “nutritionist” as used alone or in any combination with the terms “licensed,” “certified,” or “registered,” as those terms also imply a minimum level of education, training and competence.","type":"section","prefixes":["B","6"],"prefix":"6","entire_prefix":"B6","prefix_anchor":"B6","level":2,"prior_prefix":"B5","next_prefix":"C"},"8":{"id":1371608,"text":"Any person who meets the requirements set forth in subsection B who receives nutritional genomics testing information shall maintain such information in accordance with applicable federal and state law.","type":"section","prefixes":["C"],"prefix":"C","entire_prefix":"C","prefix_anchor":"C","level":1,"prior_prefix":"B6","next_prefix":"D"},"9":{"id":1371609,"text":"A person who does not meet the requirements of subsection B but who (i) has a baccalaureate degree with a major in food and nutrition or dietetics or has equivalent hours of food and nutrition coursework and (ii) has two years of work experience in nutrition or dietetics concurrent with or subsequent to completion of such degree may hold himself out as a dietitian or nutritionist, provided he is employed by or under contract to a government agency and practices solely within the scope of such employment.","type":"section","prefixes":["D"],"prefix":"D","entire_prefix":"D","prefix_anchor":"D","level":1,"prior_prefix":"C","next_prefix":"E"},"10":{"id":1371610,"text":"Any person who willfully violates the provisions of this section is guilty of a Class 3 misdemeanor.","type":"section","prefixes":["E"],"prefix":"E","entire_prefix":"E","prefix_anchor":"E","level":1,"prior_prefix":"D"}},"ancestry":[{"id":52496,"edition_id":2,"name":"Dietitians and Nutritionists","identifier":"27.1","label":"chapter","depth":3,"order_by":9,"parent_id":52479,"metadata":{"child_laws":2,"child_structures":0},"date_created":"2026-08-02 02:59:44","date_modified":"2026-08-02 12:35:04","permalink":{"id":1468745,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":52496,"identifier":"27.1","token":"54.1\/III\/27.1","url":"\/54.1\/III\/27.1\/","edition_id":2,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}},{"id":52479,"edition_id":2,"name":"Professions and Occupations Regulated by Boards Within the Department of Health Professions","identifier":"III","label":"subtitle","depth":2,"order_by":3,"parent_id":52436,"metadata":{"child_laws":738,"child_structures":83},"date_created":"2026-08-02 02:59:23","date_modified":"2026-08-02 12:35:00","permalink":{"id":1468107,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":52479,"identifier":"III","token":"54.1\/III","url":"\/54.1\/III\/","edition_id":2,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}},{"id":52436,"edition_id":2,"name":"Professions and Occupations","identifier":"54.1","label":"title","depth":1,"order_by":118,"parent_id":null,"metadata":{"child_laws":1282,"child_structures":163},"date_created":"2026-08-02 02:58:52","date_modified":"2026-08-02 12:34:51","permalink":{"id":1466315,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":52436,"identifier":"54.1","token":"54.1","url":"\/54.1\/","edition_id":2,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}}],"structure_contents":[{"id":368312,"structure_id":52496,"section_number":"54.1-2730","catch_line":"Scope of chapter","url":"\/54.1-2730\/","token":"54.1\/III\/27.1\/54.1-2730","metadata":false},{"id":368313,"structure_id":52496,"section_number":"54.1-2731","catch_line":"Prohibited terms; penalty","url":"\/54.1-2731\/","token":"54.1\/III\/27.1\/54.1-2731","metadata":false}],"previous_section":{"id":368312,"structure_id":52496,"section_number":"54.1-2730","catch_line":"Scope of chapter","url":"\/54.1-2730\/","token":"54.1\/III\/27.1\/54.1-2730","metadata":false},"metadata":false,"official_url":"https:\/\/law.lis.virginia.gov\/vacode\/54.1-2731\/","history_text":"

This law was first created in 1995. The record of its establishment is cataloged in chapter 391<\/a> of that year\u2019s edition of \u201cActs of Assembly,\u201d the annual state publication listing all changes made to the Code of Virginia in that year. It has been modified 2 times. Those modifications are cataloged by \u201cThe Acts of Assembly,\u201d a state publication, by year and chapter. Those modifications that can be read on the General Assembly\u2019s website will be linked accordingly. Those modifications are as follows: in 2016, chapter 91<\/a>; in 2025, chapter 341<\/a>.<\/p>","references":false,"refers_to":false,"permalink":{"id":1468751,"object_type":"law","relational_id":368313,"identifier":"54.1-2731","token":"54.1\/III\/27.1\/54.1-2731","url":"\/54.1-2731\/","edition_id":2,"permalink":0,"preferred":1},"url":"\/54.1-2731\/","token":"54.1\/III\/27.1\/54.1-2731","dublin_core":{"Title":"Prohibited terms; penalty","Type":"Text","Format":"text\/html","Identifier":"\u00a7 54.1-2731","Relation":"Code of Virginia"},"html":"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

A.<\/span> As used in this section, “nutritional genomics<\/span>” means the consideration of biochemical or genetic information to evaluate how genetics affect gene function and how genetic variation alters nutrient response, including the study of how dietary and other lifestyle choices influence the function of humans at the molecular, cellular, organismal, and populational levels. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

B.<\/span> No person shall hold himself out to be or advertise or permit to be advertised that such person is a dietitian or nutritionist unless such person: <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

1.<\/span> Has (i) received a baccalaureate or higher degree in nutritional sciences, community nutrition, public health nutrition, food and nutrition, dietetics, or human nutrition from a regionally accredited institution of higher education and (ii) satisfactorily completed a program of supervised clinical experience approved by the Commission on Dietetic Registration of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics; <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

2.<\/span> Has active registration through the Commission on Dietetic Registration of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics; <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

3.<\/span> Has an active certificate of the Board for Certification of Nutrition Specialists as a Certified Nutrition Specialist; <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

4.<\/span> Has an active certification as a Diplomate of the American Clinical Board of Nutrition; <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

5.<\/span> Has a current license or certificate as a dietitian or nutritionist issued by another state; or <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

6.<\/span> Has the minimum requisite education, training and experience determined by the Department of Health Professions appropriate for such person to hold himself out to be, or advertise or allow himself to be advertised as, a dietitian or nutritionist.\n\t\t\t\tThe restrictions of this section apply to the use of the terms “dietitian” and “nutritionist” as used alone or in any combination with the terms “licensed,” “certified,” or “registered,” as those terms also imply a minimum level of education, training and competence. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

C.<\/span> Any person who meets the requirements set forth in subsection B who receives nutritional genomics<\/span> testing information shall maintain such information in accordance with applicable federal and state law<\/span>. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

D.<\/span> A person who does not meet the requirements of subsection B but who (i) has a baccalaureate degree with a major in food and nutrition or dietetics or has equivalent hours of food and nutrition coursework and (ii) has two years of work experience in nutrition or dietetics concurrent with or subsequent to completion of such degree may hold himself out as a dietitian or nutritionist, provided he is employed by or under contract<\/span> to a government agency and practices solely within the scope of such employment. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

E.<\/span> Any person who willfully violates the provisions of this section is guilty of a Class 3 misdemeanor<\/span>. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>","plain_text":" CODE OF VIRGINIA\n\nPROHIBITED TERMS; PENALTY (\u00a7 54.1-2731)\n\nA. As used in this section, “nutritional genomics” means the\nconsideration of biochemical or genetic information to evaluate how genetics\naffect gene function and how genetic variation alters nutrient response,\nincluding the study of how dietary and other lifestyle choices influence the\nfunction of humans at the molecular, cellular, organismal, and populational\nlevels.\n\nB. No person shall hold himself out to be or advertise or permit to be\nadvertised that such person is a dietitian or nutritionist unless such person:\n\n 1. Has (i) received a baccalaureate or higher degree in nutritional sciences,\n community nutrition, public health nutrition, food and nutrition, dietetics,\n or human nutrition from a regionally accredited institution of higher\n education and (ii) satisfactorily completed a program of supervised clinical\n experience approved by the Commission on Dietetic Registration of the Academy\n of Nutrition and Dietetics;\n\n 2. Has active registration through the Commission on Dietetic Registration of\n the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics;\n\n 3. Has an active certificate of the Board for Certification of Nutrition\n Specialists as a Certified Nutrition Specialist;\n\n 4. Has an active certification as a Diplomate of the American Clinical Board\n of Nutrition;\n\n 5. Has a current license or certificate as a dietitian or nutritionist issued\n by another state; or\n\n 6. Has the minimum requisite education, training and experience determined by\n the Department of Health Professions appropriate for such person to hold\n himself out to be, or advertise or allow himself to be advertised as, a\n dietitian or nutritionist.\n \t\t\t\tThe restrictions of this section apply to the use of the terms\n “dietitian” and “nutritionist” as used alone or in any\n combination with the terms “licensed,” “certified,” or\n “registered,” as those terms also imply a minimum level of\n education, training and competence.\n\nC. Any person who meets the requirements set forth in subsection B who receives\nnutritional genomics testing information shall maintain such information in\naccordance with applicable federal and state law.\n\nD. A person who does not meet the requirements of subsection B but who (i) has a\nbaccalaureate degree with a major in food and nutrition or dietetics or has\nequivalent hours of food and nutrition coursework and (ii) has two years of work\nexperience in nutrition or dietetics concurrent with or subsequent to completion\nof such degree may hold himself out as a dietitian or nutritionist, provided he\nis employed by or under contract to a government agency and practices solely\nwithin the scope of such employment.\n\nE. Any person who willfully violates the provisions of this section is guilty of\na Class 3 misdemeanor.\n\nHISTORY: 1995, c. 391; 2016, c. 91; 2025, c. 341.","edition":{"id":2,"name":"2026","slug":"2026","date_created":"2026-07-16 18:40:23","date_modified":"2026-08-02 15:14:36","current":1,"order_by":2,"last_import":"2026-08-02 12:37:30"}}