A Bill for an Act
Page 1, Line 101Concerning the regulation of medical nutrition therapy.
Bill Summary
(Note: This summary applies to this bill as introduced and does not reflect any amendments that may be subsequently adopted. If this bill passes third reading in the house of introduction, a bill summary that applies to the reengrossed version of this bill will be available at http://leg.colorado.gov.)
The bill creates the state board of dietetics and nutrition (board) under the supervision and control of the division of professions and occupations in the department of regulatory agencies. On and after September 1, 2026, an individual is prohibited from engaging in or offering to provide medical nutrition therapy unless the individual is licensed by the board. The board is authorized to license dietitians and nutritionists if they meet the requirements specified by the bill and the rules adopted by the board pursuant to the bill.
An individual who desires to practice as a dietitian must file with the board:
- An application for a license;
- Proof of completion of educational requirements and supervised practice experience; and
- Proof of compliance with examination requirements or proof of holding a valid current registration with the Commission on Dietetic Registration.
- An application for a license;
- Proof of completion of educational requirements and supervised practice experience; and
- Proof of compliance with examination requirements.
An individual who desires to practice as a nutritionist must file with the board:
On or after September 1, 2026, but before September 1, 2028, the board may waive the examination requirement and may grant a nutritionist license to an applicant who meets specified criteria.
The board may deny or refuse to renew a license, suspend or revoke a license, or impose probationary conditions on a license. The board may also issue warnings or reprimands where the licensee or applicant for licensure has engaged in specified grounds for discipline or unprofessional conduct.
The board may issue a provisional license to practice as a dietitian or a nutritionist upon the filing of an application with the appropriate fees, submission of evidence of successful completion of the educational and supervised practice requirements, and submission of evidence that the individual has applied to take the required licensing examination.
The bill exempts specified individuals from the licensing requirements established by the bill.
An individual who practices or offers or attempts to practice as a dietitian or nutritionist without being licensed pursuant to the bill and who is not exempted from licensure commits a class 2 misdemeanor.
The board shall adopt rules as necessary to implement the bill.
The bill is scheduled for repeal on September 1, 2035. Before the repeal, the functions of the board in regulating dietitians and nutritionists are scheduled for review in accordance with the sunset law.
This Unofficial Version Includes Committee
Amendments Not Yet Adopted on Second Reading
Page 2, Line 1Be it enacted by the General Assembly of the State of Colorado:
Page 2, Line 2SECTION 1. In Colorado Revised Statutes, add article 223 to title 12 as follows:
Page 2, Line 3ARTICLE 223
Dietitians and Nutritionists
Page 3, Line 112-223-101. Short title.The short title of this article 223 is the "Dietetics and Nutrition Practice Act".
Page 3, Line 212-223-102. Legislative declaration. (1) The general assembly finds and declares that:
Page 3, Line 3(a) The practice of medical nutrition therapy is essential
Page 3, Line 4to protecting and promoting the health, safety, and welfare of
Page 3, Line 5the people of Colorado. The absence of licensure and regulation
Page 3, Line 6for individuals engaged in this practice has resulted in
Page 3, Line 7significant risks, including the provision of care by unqualified
Page 3, Line 8practitioners, inequitable access to crucial nutrition services
Page 3, Line 9in underserved communities, and inefficient utilization of registered dietitians in health-care settings.
Page 3, Line 10(b) To mitigate these risks and ensure the delivery of safe,
Page 3, Line 11high-quality nutrition care, it is necessary to establish a
Page 3, Line 12licensure framework that formally recognizes and regulates
Page 3, Line 13the practice of medical nutrition therapy. This framework will
Page 3, Line 14protect consumers from harm, increase access to essential care,
Page 3, Line 15facilitate participation in the national dietitian licensure
Page 3, Line 16compact, and enable Colorado to align with national
Page 3, Line 17standards, thereby expanding the workforce of qualified
Page 3, Line 18practitioners and improving outcomes for patients across the state.
Page 3, Line 19(c) This licensure program is narrowly tailored to
Page 3, Line 20regulate only the practice of medical nutrition therapy while
Page 3, Line 21explicitly preserving the ability of other professionals and
Page 3, Line 22individuals to provide general nutrition guidance and wellness
Page 4, Line 1services. Through this action, the general assembly reaffirms
Page 4, Line 2its commitment to ensuring equitable and affordable health care as well as the safety and well-being of all Coloradans.
Page 4, Line 312-223-103. Applicability of common provisions.Articles 1,
Page 4, Line 420, and 30 of this title 12 apply, according to their terms, to this article 223.
Page 4, Line 512-223-104. Definitions.As used in this article 223, unless the context otherwise requires:
Page 4, Line 6(1) "Board" means the state board of dietetics and nutrition created in section 12-223-105.
Page 4, Line 7(2) "Degree" means a degree received from a college or
Page 4, Line 8university accredited by the appropriate United States
Page 4, Line 9regionally accredited body recognized by the Council for
Page 4, Line 10Higher Education Accreditation and the United States
Page 4, Line 11department of education at the time the degree was received or a validated international equivalent.
Page 4, Line 12(3) "Dietetics" means the integration and application of
Page 4, Line 13scientific principles derived from the study of food, nutrition,
Page 4, Line 14biochemistry, metabolism, nutrigenomics, physiology,
Page 4, Line 15pharmacology, food systems, management, and behavioral and
Page 4, Line 16social sciences to achieve and maintain optimal nutrition statuses of individuals and groups.
Page 4, Line 18(4) "Licensed dietitian" means an individual licensed under
Page 4, Line 19this article 223 as meeting the requirements of section
Page 4, Line 2012-223-107 (1) to practice dietetics and nutrition, including the
Page 4, Line 21provision of medical nutrition therapy.
Page 5, Line 1(5) "Licensed nutritionist" means an individual licensed
Page 5, Line 2under this article 223 as meeting the requirements of section
Page 5, Line 312-223-108 (1) or (5) to practice nutrition, including the provision of medical nutrition therapy.
Page 5, Line 4(6) "Medical nutrition therapy" means the provision of one
Page 5, Line 5or more of the following nutrition care services for the purpose of management or treatment of a disease or medical condition:
Page 5, Line 6(a) Nutrition assessment;
(b) Nutrition diagnosis;
Page 5, Line 7(c) Nutrition intervention; or
(d) Nutrition monitoring and evaluation.
Page 5, Line 8(7) "Medical weight control" means medical nutrition
Page 5, Line 9therapy provided for the purpose of reducing, maintaining, or gaining weight.
Page 5, Line 10(8) (a) "Nonmedical weight control" means nutrition care
Page 5, Line 11services for the purpose of reducing, maintaining, or gaining
Page 5, Line 12weight that do not constitute the treatment or management of a disease or medical condition.
Page 5, Line 13(b) "Nonmedical weight control" includes weight control
Page 5, Line 14services for healthy population groups to achieve or maintain a healthy weight.
Page 5, Line 15(9) "Nutrition" means the integration and application of
Page 5, Line 16scientific principles derived from the study of nutrition science,
Page 5, Line 17cellular and systemic metabolism, biochemistry, physiology, and
Page 5, Line 18behavioral sciences for achieving and maintaining health throughout the lifespan of an individual.
Page 5, Line 19(10) (a) "Nutrition assessment" means the ongoing,
Page 6, Line 1dynamic, and systematic process of ordering, obtaining,
Page 6, Line 2verifying, and interpreting biochemical, anthropometric,
Page 6, Line 3physical, nutrigenomic, and dietary data to make decisions
Page 6, Line 4about the nature and cause of nutrition-related problems relative to patient and community needs.
Page 6, Line 5(b) "Nutrition assessment" involves not only initial data
Page 6, Line 6collection but also reassessment and analysis of patient or
Page 6, Line 7community needs and provides the foundation for nutrition diagnosis and nutritional recommendations and orders.
Page 6, Line 8(c) "Nutrition assessment" may require ordering
Page 6, Line 9laboratory tests to check and track nutritional statuses. The
Page 6, Line 10collection of nutrition-related data does not, by itself, constitute nutrition assessment.
Page 6, Line 11(11) "Nutrition care services" means all or a part of the following services provided within a systematic process:
Page 6, Line 12(a) Assessing and evaluating the nutritional needs of
Page 6, Line 13individuals and groups and determining resources and
Page 6, Line 14constraints in a practice setting, including the ordering of
Page 6, Line 15nutrition-related laboratory tests to check and track nutrition statuses;
Page 6, Line 16(b) Identifying nutrition problems and establishing
Page 6, Line 17priorities, goals, and objectives that meet nutritional needs and are consistent with available resources and constraints;
Page 6, Line 18(c) Creating individualized dietary plans and issuing and
Page 6, Line 19implementing orders to meet the nutritional needs of healthy
Page 6, Line 20individuals and individuals with disease states or medical
Page 6, Line 21conditions, including ordering therapeutic diets and monitoring the diets' effectiveness;
Page 7, Line 1(d) Determining and providing appropriate nutrition
Page 7, Line 2intervention in health and disease, including nutrition counseling on food and prescription drug interactions;
Page 7, Line 3(e) Developing, implementing, and managing nutrition care systems; or
Page 7, Line 4(f) Evaluating, making changes in, and maintaining appropriate standards of quality in food and nutrition services.
Page 7, Line 5(12) "Nutrition counseling" means a supportive process,
Page 7, Line 6characterized by a collaborative counselor-patient
Page 7, Line 7relationship with individuals or groups, that establishes food
Page 7, Line 8and nutrition priorities, goals, and individualized action plans
Page 7, Line 9and general physical activity guidance, which acknowledges
Page 7, Line 10and fosters responsibility for self-care, promotes health and
Page 7, Line 11wellness, or treats or manages an existing disease or medical condition.
Page 7, Line 12(13) "Nutrition diagnosis" means identifying and labeling
Page 7, Line 13nutrition problems managed and treated by a licensed dietitian
Page 7, Line 14or a licensed nutritionist but does not include a medical diagnosis of the health status of an individual.
Page 7, Line 15(14) (a) "Nutrition intervention" means purposefully
Page 7, Line 16planned actions, including nutrition counseling, intended to
Page 7, Line 17positively change a nutrition-related behavior, risk factor,
Page 7, Line 18environmental condition, or aspect of the health status of an
Page 7, Line 19individual and the individual's family or caregivers, target groups, or the community at large.
Page 7, Line 20(b) "Nutrition intervention" includes approving, ordering,
Page 8, Line 1and monitoring therapeutic diets and counseling on food and prescription drug interactions.
Page 8, Line 2(15) "Nutrition monitoring and evaluation" means
Page 8, Line 3identifying patient outcomes relevant to a nutrition diagnosis,
Page 8, Line 4intervention plans, and goals and comparing those patient
Page 8, Line 5outcomes with previous statuses, intervention goals, or a
Page 8, Line 6reference standard to determine the progress made in achieving
Page 8, Line 7the desired outcomes of nutrition care and whether planned interventions should be continued or revised.
Page 8, Line 8(16) "Patient" means an individual recipient of nutrition care services.
Page 8, Line 9(17) "Practice of dietetics":
Page 8, Line 10(a) Includes the provision of nutrition care services,
Page 8, Line 11including medical nutrition therapy, in person or via telehealth,
Page 8, Line 12to prevent, manage, or treat chronic and acute diseases or
Page 8, Line 13medical conditions and promote wellness in inpatient and outpatient settings; and
Page 8, Line 14(b) Encompasses the development and ordering of
Page 8, Line 15therapeutic diets via oral, enteral, and parenteral routes and
Page 8, Line 16providing other advanced medical nutrition therapy and
Page 8, Line 17related support activities consistent with current competencies
Page 8, Line 18required of academic and supervised practice programs
Page 8, Line 19accredited by the Accreditation Council for Education in
Page 8, Line 20Nutrition and Dietetics and in accordance with the "Scope and
Page 8, Line 21Standards of Practice for the Registered Dietitian Nutritionist" established by the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics.
Page 8, Line 22(18) "Practice of nutrition":
Page 9, Line 1(a) Includes the provision of nutrition care services,
Page 9, Line 2including medical nutrition therapy, in person or via telehealth,
Page 9, Line 3to prevent, manage, or treat chronic diseases or medical conditions and promote wellness in outpatient settings; and
Page 9, Line 4(b) Encompasses, consistent with a level of competence:
(I) Ordering oral therapeutic diets;
Page 9, Line 5(II) Ordering medical laboratory tests related to nutritional therapeutic treatments; and
Page 9, Line 6(III) Recommending vitamins, minerals, and other dietary supplements.
Page 9, Line 7(19) "Qualified supervisor" means an individual providing
Page 9, Line 8supervision who assumes full professional responsibility for the
Page 9, Line 9work of the supervised individual by verifying, directing, and
Page 9, Line 10approving the provided nutrition care services, medical
Page 9, Line 11nutrition therapy, and other work being supervised and meets the requirements of section 12-223-112.
Page 9, Line 12(20) "Registered dietitian" means an individual who is
Page 9, Line 13credentialed by the Commission on Dietetic Registration, or its
Page 9, Line 14successor organization, as a registered dietitian or a registered
Page 9, Line 15dietitian nutritionist and is authorized to use such title and the corresponding abbreviations "RD" or "RDN".
Page 9, Line 16(21) "Telehealth" has the meaning set forth in section 10-16-123 (4)(e).
Page 9, Line 17(22) "Unrestricted practice of medical nutrition therapy"
Page 9, Line 18means the provision of medical nutrition therapy by an
Page 9, Line 19individual who is responsible for the individual's own practice or
Page 9, Line 20treatment procedures.
Page 10, Line 112-223-105. State board of dietetics and nutrition - created -
Page 10, Line 2members - repeal. (1) (a) There is created the state board of
Page 10, Line 3dietetics and nutrition, which is a type 1 entity, as defined in
Page 10, Line 4section 24-1-105, and which exercises its powers and performs its
Page 10, Line 5duties and functions under the division. The board consists of
Page 10, Line 6seven members who are residents of this state and are appointed by the governor as follows:
Page 10, Line 7(I) Except as provided in subsection (1)(b)(I) of this section, three members must be licensed dietitians;
Page 10, Line 8(II) Except as provided in subsection (1)(b)(I) of this section, two members must be licensed nutritionists;
Page 10, Line 9(III) One member must be a physician licensed to practice medicine pursuant to article 240 of this title 12; and
Page 10, Line 10(IV) One member must not be licensed under this article
Page 10, Line 11223 or article 240 of this title 12 and shall represent the public at large.
Page 10, Line 12(b) (I) Licensed dietitians and licensed nutritionists who
Page 10, Line 13are members of the board must have been actively practicing in
Page 10, Line 14the field of dietetics or nutrition for not less than five years.
Page 10, Line 15The dietitians and nutritionists initially appointed to the board
Page 10, Line 16must be eligible for licensure pursuant to this article 223 and
Page 10, Line 17must maintain licensure, once available, while serving on the
Page 10, Line 18board; thereafter, licensed dietitians and licensed nutritionists
Page 10, Line 19appointed to the board must be licensed pursuant to this article
Page 10, Line 20223 and must maintain active licensure while serving on the board.
Page 10, Line 21(II) Except as provided in subsection (1)(b)(I) of this section:
Page 11, Line 1(A) At least one member of the board must be a licensed
Page 11, Line 2dietitian or licensed nutritionist who is an educator specializing
Page 11, Line 3in the field of dietetics or nutrition on the faculty of a college
Page 11, Line 4or university accredited at the time of graduation by a United
Page 11, Line 5States institutional accrediting body for higher education recognized by the United States department of education;
Page 11, Line 6(B) At least one member of the board must be a licensed
Page 11, Line 7dietitian whose primary practice is clinical dietetics in a hospital or long-term care institution; and
Page 11, Line 8(C) At least one member of the board must be a licensed
Page 11, Line 9dietitian or licensed nutritionist whose primary practice is consulting or the private practice of dietetics or nutrition.
Page 11, Line 10(c) The member of the board appointed pursuant to
Page 11, Line 11subsection (1)(a)(IV) of this section must be a citizen or
Page 11, Line 12permanent resident of the United States and a resident of Colorado and must not be any of the following:
Page 11, Line 13(I) A dietitian or a nutritionist;
Page 11, Line 14(II) An agent or employee of an individual engaged in the profession of dietetics or nutrition;
Page 11, Line 15(III) A licensed health-care professional or an individual
Page 11, Line 16enrolled in a program to become a licensed health-care professional;
Page 11, Line 17(IV) An agent or employee of a health-care institution, a health-care insurer, or a health-care professional school; or
Page 11, Line 18(V) A member of an allied health profession or an
Page 11, Line 19individual enrolled in a program to become a member of an allied health profession.
Page 12, Line 1(d) (I) The governor shall make the initial appointments to
Page 12, Line 2the board on or before six months after the effective date of this article 223.
Page 12, Line 3(II) The initial term of appointment of two licensed
Page 12, Line 4dietitians appointed pursuant to subsection (1)(a)(I) of this
Page 12, Line 5section, one licensed nutritionist appointed pursuant to
Page 12, Line 6subsection (1)(a)(II) of this section, and the member representing
Page 12, Line 7the public at large appointed pursuant to subsection (1)(a)(IV) of
Page 12, Line 8this section is two years, with the initial term of appointment for the remaining members of the board being three years.
Page 12, Line 9(III) This subsection (1)(d) is repealed, effective December 1, 2030.
Page 12, Line 10(e) (I) Each member of the board serves at the pleasure of
Page 12, Line 11the governor. Except as provided in subsection (1)(d) of this
Page 12, Line 12section, the term of appointment is three years. A member shall not serve more than two consecutive terms.
Page 12, Line 13(II) Each member of the board shall receive the compensation provided for in section 12-20-103 (6).
Page 12, Line 14(III) The director of the division shall call the first
Page 12, Line 15meeting of the board no later than three months after the governor makes all of the initial appointments to the board.
Page 12, Line 16(IV) The board shall elect a chair from among its members
Page 12, Line 17to serve for a term not to exceed one year. A chair shall not serve more than three consecutive terms.
Page 12, Line 18(V) The board shall meet at least once every three
Page 12, Line 19months, or more frequently as determined necessary by the chair.
Page 13, Line 1(2) The chair is an official representative of the board
Page 13, Line 2and is responsible for the daily activities of the board and its staff.
Page 13, Line 312-223-106. Powers and duties of the board - rules. (1) In
Page 13, Line 4addition to the other powers and duties of the board as set
Page 13, Line 5forth in this article 223 and articles 20 and 30 of this title 12, the board has the following powers and duties:
Page 13, Line 6(a) To license dietitians and nutritionists in a manner consistent with this article 223;
Page 13, Line 7(b) To keep a record of the board's proceedings, a register
Page 13, Line 8of all applicants for licensure, and a register of all licensed dietitians and licensed nutritionists;
Page 13, Line 9(c) To adopt rules pursuant to section 12-20-204 to govern
Page 13, Line 10the board's actions and provide for the enforcement of this article 223;
Page 13, Line 11(d) To adopt the licensure standards prescribed in this
Page 13, Line 12article 223 and rules relevant to licensure, including adopting updated standards of accrediting organizations;
Page 13, Line 13(e) To adopt by rule a code of ethics and standards of practice and professional responsibilities;
Page 13, Line 14(f) (I) To establish and collect the fees for licensure and
Page 13, Line 15renewal and reinstatement of licensure in the manner authorized by section 12-20-105; and
Page 13, Line 16(II) To establish and collect fees and make expenditures as required by this article 223;
Page 13, Line 17(g) To administer continuing education requirements for the renewal of a license, as set forth in section 12-223-114;
Page 14, Line 1(h) To receive and process complaints and investigate alleged violations of this article 223;
Page 14, Line 2(i) To conduct administrative hearings in accordance with
Page 14, Line 3section 12-20-403 in all matters relating to the exercise and performance of the powers and duties vested in the board;
Page 14, Line 4(j) To obtain a set of fingerprints from an applicant for
Page 14, Line 5initial licensure pursuant to section 12-223-107 (2) or 12-223-108 (3);
Page 14, Line 6(k) To seek an injunction in accordance with section
Page 14, Line 712-20-406 to enjoin an act or practice that constitutes a violation of this article 223;
Page 14, Line 8(l) To provide for examination or waiver of examination
Page 14, Line 9for applicants pursuant to section 12-223-107 (1)(a)(III) or 12-223-108 (1)(c)(I) or (5);
Page 14, Line 10(m) To impose penalties in accordance with this article 223 and with sections 12-20-404 and 12-20-407; and
Page 14, Line 11(n) To adopt a seal or other method to authenticate documents.
Page 14, Line 12(2) Board members shall remain impartial in all matters
Page 14, Line 13that come before the board and shall recuse themselves from
Page 14, Line 14participation in any matter for which they have a personal or financial interest to avoid a conflict of interest.
Page 14, Line 1512-223-107. Licensure of dietitians - qualifications -
Page 14, Line 16application. (1) An applicant for a license as a dietitian shall
Page 14, Line 17submit a completed application as required by the board
Page 14, Line 18demonstrating the applicant is capable and professionally
Page 15, Line 1competent, as determined by the board, to safely engage in the
Page 15, Line 2practices of dietetics and nutrition, submit the fees as required
Page 15, Line 3by the board, submit fingerprints pursuant to subsection (2) of this section, and submit proof of one of the following:
Page 15, Line 4(a) Proof of completion of all of the following
Page 15, Line 5educational requirements and supervised practice experience and examination requirements:
Page 15, Line 6(I) Proof of one of the following educational requirements:
Page 15, Line 7(A) A master's degree or doctoral degree with a program
Page 15, Line 8of study that is accredited by the Accreditation Council for
Page 15, Line 9Education in Nutrition and Dietetics, or its successor organization; or
Page 15, Line 10(B) An international academic degree that the board
Page 15, Line 11determines is equivalent to a degree described in subsection
Page 15, Line 12(1)(a)(I)(A) of this section with a program of study that is
Page 15, Line 13accredited by the Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics, or its successor organization;
Page 15, Line 14(II) Satisfactory completion of a planned, documented,
Page 15, Line 15and supervised experience in dietetics and nutrition practice
Page 15, Line 16approved by the board and accredited by the Accreditation
Page 15, Line 17Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics, or its
Page 15, Line 18successor organization, that involves at least one thousand
Page 15, Line 19hours of supervised practice experience under the supervision of
Page 15, Line 20a qualified supervisor. An applicant shall complete a supervised
Page 15, Line 21practice experience within five years after completing the
Page 15, Line 22educational requirements described in subsection (1)(a)(I) of this
Page 16, Line 1section unless the board, for extraordinary circumstances, grants an extension for a limited time.
Page 16, Line 2(III) Successful completion of the registration
Page 16, Line 3examination for dietitians administered by the Commission on
Page 16, Line 4Dietetic Registration, or its successor organization. If passage
Page 16, Line 5of the examination occurred more than five years before the
Page 16, Line 6application for licensure, the applicant shall demonstrate
Page 16, Line 7completion of seventy-five hours of continuing education
Page 16, Line 8meeting the continuing education criteria of the board per each five-year period post-examination.
Page 16, Line 9(b) Proof of a valid registration with the Commission on
Page 16, Line 10Dietetic Registration, or its successor organization, that gives
Page 16, Line 11the applicant the right to use the term "registered dietitian", "registered dietitian nutritionist", "RD", or "RDN".
Page 16, Line 12(2) (a) An applicant for licensure as a dietitian pursuant
Page 16, Line 13to this article 223 shall submit to a fingerprint-based criminal
Page 16, Line 14history record check. The applicant must pay the costs
Page 16, Line 15associated with the fingerprint-based criminal history record check.
Page 16, Line 16(b) After submitting an application for a license, the
Page 16, Line 17applicant shall have the applicant's fingerprints taken by a
Page 16, Line 18local law enforcement agency or any third party approved by
Page 16, Line 19the Colorado bureau of investigation for the purpose of
Page 16, Line 20obtaining a fingerprint-based criminal history record check. The
Page 16, Line 21applicant shall authorize the entity taking the applicant's
Page 16, Line 22fingerprints to submit, and the entity shall submit, the complete
Page 16, Line 23set of the applicant's fingerprints to the Colorado bureau of
Page 17, Line 1investigation for the purpose of conducting a fingerprint-based criminal history record check.
Page 17, Line 2(c) If an approved third party takes the applicant's
Page 17, Line 3fingerprints, the fingerprints may be electronically captured
Page 17, Line 4using Colorado bureau of investigation-approved livescan
Page 17, Line 5equipment. Third-party vendors shall not keep the applicant's information for more than thirty days.
Page 17, Line 6(d) The Colorado bureau of investigation shall use the
Page 17, Line 7applicant's fingerprints to conduct a criminal history record
Page 17, Line 8check using the bureau's records. The Colorado bureau of
Page 17, Line 9investigation shall also forward the fingerprints to the federal
Page 17, Line 10bureau of investigation for the purpose of conducting a
Page 17, Line 11fingerprint-based criminal history record check. The Colorado
Page 17, Line 12bureau of investigation, applicant, board, and entity taking
Page 17, Line 13fingerprints shall comply with the federal bureau of
Page 17, Line 14investigation's requirements to conduct a criminal history record check.
Page 17, Line 15(e) The Colorado bureau of investigation shall return the
Page 17, Line 16results of its criminal history record check to the board, and
Page 17, Line 17the board is authorized to receive the results of the federal
Page 17, Line 18bureau of investigation's criminal history record check. The
Page 17, Line 19board shall use the information resulting from the criminal
Page 17, Line 20history record checks to investigate and determine whether an
Page 17, Line 21applicant is qualified to hold a license pursuant to this article 223.
Page 17, Line 22(f) When the results of a fingerprint-based criminal
Page 17, Line 23history record check of an applicant performed pursuant to this
Page 18, Line 1section reveal a record of arrest without a disposition, the
Page 18, Line 2board shall require the applicant to submit to a name-based judicial record check, as defined in section 22-2-119.3 (6)(d).
Page 18, Line 3(3) After an applicant has fulfilled the requirements of
Page 18, Line 4subsections (1) and (2) of this section, the board shall issue a
Page 18, Line 5license to the applicant; except that the board may deny a license pursuant to sections 12-20-404 (1)(d)(I) and 12-223-109.
Page 18, Line 612-223-108. Licensure of nutritionists - qualifications -
Page 18, Line 7application - transitional license - rules - repeal. (1) An applicant
Page 18, Line 8for a license as a nutritionist shall submit a completed
Page 18, Line 9application as required by the board demonstrating the
Page 18, Line 10applicant is capable and professionally competent, as
Page 18, Line 11determined by the board, to safely engage in the practice of
Page 18, Line 12nutrition, submit the fees as required by the board, submit
Page 18, Line 13fingerprints pursuant to subsection (3) of this section, and
Page 18, Line 14submit proof of completion of all the following educational
Page 18, Line 15requirements, supervised practice experiences, and examination requirements:
Page 18, Line 16(a) Proof of completion of a doctoral degree or validated
Page 18, Line 17international equivalent in a field of clinical health care from
Page 18, Line 18a college or university accredited at the time of graduation by
Page 18, Line 19a United States institutional accrediting body for higher
Page 18, Line 20education recognized by the United States department of
Page 18, Line 21education or a master's or doctoral degree or validated
Page 18, Line 22international equivalent from a college or university
Page 18, Line 23accredited at the time of graduation by a United States
Page 18, Line 24institutional accrediting body for higher education recognized by the United States department of education with a major in:
Page 19, Line 1(I) Human nutrition;
(II) Foods and nutrition;
Page 19, Line 2(III) Community nutrition;
(IV) Public health nutrition;
Page 19, Line 3(V) Nutrition education;
(VI) Nutrition;
Page 19, Line 4(VII) Nutrition science;
(VIII) Clinical nutrition;
Page 19, Line 5(IX) Applied clinical nutrition;
(X) Nutrition counseling;
Page 19, Line 6(XI) Nutrition and functional medicine;
(XII) Nutritional biochemistry;
Page 19, Line 7(XIII) Nutrition and integrative health; or
(XIV) A comparably titled major;
Page 19, Line 8(b) Satisfactory completion of a planned, documented,
Page 19, Line 9and continuous supervised practice experience that
Page 19, Line 10demonstrates competence in providing nutrition care services
Page 19, Line 11and medical nutrition therapy that is approved by the board and
Page 19, Line 12meets the following requirements regarding supervised practice experience:
Page 19, Line 13(I) Completion within five years after completing the
Page 19, Line 14requirements described in subsection (1)(a) of this section, unless
Page 19, Line 15the board, for extraordinary circumstances, grants an extension for a limited time;
Page 19, Line 16(II) Completion of at least one thousand hours
Page 19, Line 17cumulatively in the following practice areas, with a minimum of two hundred hours completed in each practice area:
Page 20, Line 1(A) Nutrition assessment;
(B) Nutrition intervention; and
Page 20, Line 2(C) Nutrition monitoring and evaluation;
Page 20, Line 3(III) The board determines that the supervised practice
Page 20, Line 4experience has prepared the applicant to provide nutrition care
Page 20, Line 5services for various populations of diverse cultures, of genders,
Page 20, Line 6and across the life cycle and to be able to competently
Page 20, Line 7formulate actionable medical nutrition therapies and
Page 20, Line 8interventions, education, counseling, and ongoing care for the
Page 20, Line 9prevention, modulation, and management of a range of chronic medical conditions; and
Page 20, Line 10(IV) Supervision by a qualified supervisor, as determined pursuant to section 12-223-112; and
Page 20, Line 11(c) Completion of examination requirements by demonstrating either of the following:
Page 20, Line 12(I) Passage of the certified nutrition specialist
Page 20, Line 13examination administered by the Board for Certification of
Page 20, Line 14Nutrition Specialists, or its successor organization, or an
Page 20, Line 15equivalent examination on all aspects of the practice of
Page 20, Line 16nutrition that has been reviewed under a program that requires
Page 20, Line 17a master's degree or higher, is accredited by the National
Page 20, Line 18Commission for Certifying Agencies or its successor
Page 20, Line 19organization, and is approved by the board. If passage of the
Page 20, Line 20examination occurred more than five years before the
Page 20, Line 21application for licensure, the applicant shall demonstrate
Page 20, Line 22completion of seventy-five hours of continuing education
Page 21, Line 1meeting the continuing education criteria of the board per each five-year period post-examination.
Page 21, Line 2(II) The applicant holds a valid certification with the
Page 21, Line 3Board for Certification of Nutrition Specialists, or its
Page 21, Line 4successor organization, that gives the applicant the right to use the title "certified nutrition specialist".
Page 21, Line 5(2) To comply with the educational requirements set
Page 21, Line 6forth in subsection (1)(a) of this section and regardless of the
Page 21, Line 7course of study, the applicant shall have completed coursework
Page 21, Line 8leading to competence in medical nutrition therapy, including both of the following:
Page 21, Line 9(a) Fifteen semester hours of clinical or life sciences, such
Page 21, Line 10as courses in chemistry, organic chemistry, biology, molecular
Page 21, Line 11biology, biotechnology, botany, genetics, genomics,
Page 21, Line 12neuroscience, experimental science, immunotherapy, pathology,
Page 21, Line 13pharmacology, toxicology, research methods, applied statistics,
Page 21, Line 14biostatistics, epidemiology, energy production, molecular
Page 21, Line 15pathways, hormone and transmitter regulations and imbalance,
Page 21, Line 16and pathophysiologic basis of disease. Three semester hours must be in human anatomy and physiology or the equivalent.
Page 21, Line 17(b) Fifteen semester hours of nutrition and metabolism,
Page 21, Line 18such as courses in nutrition assessment, developmental
Page 21, Line 19nutrition, nutritional aspects of disease, human nutrition,
Page 21, Line 20macronutrients, micronutrients, vitamins and minerals,
Page 21, Line 21functional medicine nutrition, molecular metabolism, clinical
Page 21, Line 22nutrition, medical nutrition therapy, nutritional biochemistry,
Page 21, Line 23nutrition and digestive health, and public health nutrition. At least six semester hours must be in biochemistry.
Page 22, Line 1(3) (a) An applicant for licensure as a nutritionist
Page 22, Line 2pursuant to this article 223 shall submit to a fingerprint-based
Page 22, Line 3criminal history record check. The applicant must pay the costs
Page 22, Line 4associated with the fingerprint-based criminal history record check.
Page 22, Line 5(b) After submitting an application for a license, the
Page 22, Line 6applicant shall have the applicant's fingerprints taken by a
Page 22, Line 7local law enforcement agency or any third party approved by
Page 22, Line 8the Colorado bureau of investigation for the purpose of
Page 22, Line 9obtaining a fingerprint-based criminal history record check. The
Page 22, Line 10applicant shall authorize the entity taking the applicant's
Page 22, Line 11fingerprints to submit, and the entity shall submit, the complete
Page 22, Line 12set of the applicant's fingerprints to the Colorado bureau of
Page 22, Line 13investigation for the purpose of conducting a fingerprint-based criminal history record check.
Page 22, Line 14(c) If an approved third party takes the applicant's
Page 22, Line 15fingerprints, the fingerprints may be electronically captured
Page 22, Line 16using Colorado bureau of investigation-approved livescan
Page 22, Line 17equipment. Third-party vendors shall not keep the applicant's information for more than thirty days.
Page 22, Line 18(d) The Colorado bureau of investigation shall use the
Page 22, Line 19applicant's fingerprints to conduct a criminal history record
Page 22, Line 20check using the bureau's records. The Colorado bureau of
Page 22, Line 21investigation shall also forward the fingerprints to the federal
Page 22, Line 22bureau of investigation for the purpose of conducting a
Page 22, Line 23fingerprint-based criminal history record check. The Colorado
Page 23, Line 1bureau of investigation, applicant, board, and entity taking
Page 23, Line 2fingerprints shall comply with the federal bureau of
Page 23, Line 3investigation's requirements to conduct a criminal history record check.
Page 23, Line 4(e) The Colorado bureau of investigation shall return the
Page 23, Line 5results of its criminal history record check to the board, and
Page 23, Line 6the board is authorized to receive the results of the federal
Page 23, Line 7bureau of investigation's criminal history record check. The
Page 23, Line 8board shall use the information resulting from the criminal
Page 23, Line 9history record checks to investigate and determine whether an
Page 23, Line 10applicant is qualified to hold a license pursuant to this article 223.
Page 23, Line 11(f) When the results of a fingerprint-based criminal
Page 23, Line 12history record check of an applicant performed pursuant to this
Page 23, Line 13section reveal a record of arrest without a disposition, the
Page 23, Line 14board shall require the applicant to submit to a name-based judicial record check, as defined in section 22-2-119.3 (6)(d).
Page 23, Line 15(4) After an applicant has fulfilled the requirements of
Page 23, Line 16subsections (1) and (3) of this section, the board shall issue a
Page 23, Line 17license to the applicant; except that the board may deny a license pursuant to sections 12-20-404 (1)(d)(I) and 12-223-109.
Page 23, Line 18(5) (a) The board may waive the examination requirement
Page 23, Line 19of subsection (1)(c)(I) of this section and may grant a
Page 23, Line 20nutritionist license to an applicant who applies to the board and demonstrates compliance with the following:
Page 23, Line 21(I) Receipt of a baccalaureate or higher academic degree
Page 23, Line 22from a United States regionally accredited institution of
Page 24, Line 1higher education recognized by the Council for Higher
Page 24, Line 2Education Accreditation, or successor organization, with at least thirty credit hours or a major course of study in:
Page 24, Line 3(A) Human nutrition;
(B) Foods and nutrition;
Page 24, Line 4(C) Food systems management;
(D) Nutritional science;
Page 24, Line 5(E) Nutritional education;
(F) Community nutrition;
Page 24, Line 6(G) Public health nutrition;
(H) Nutrition education;
Page 24, Line 7(I) Nutrition;
(J) Nutrition science;
Page 24, Line 8(K) Clinical nutrition;
(L) Applied clinical nutrition;
Page 24, Line 9(M) Nutrition counseling;
(N) Nutrition and functional medicine;
Page 24, Line 10(O) Nutritional biochemistry;
(P) Nutrition and integrative health; or
Page 24, Line 11(Q) An equivalent course of study leading to competence in medical nutrition therapy;
Page 24, Line 12(II) Employment, including self-employment, at least on
Page 24, Line 13a half-time basis, to provide nutrition care services for the
Page 24, Line 14treatment or management of a diagnosed disease or medical
Page 24, Line 15condition for three of the five years immediately preceding September 1, 2026;
Page 24, Line 16(III) Provision of medical nutrition therapy to residents
Page 25, Line 1of Colorado without supervision for at least six months immediately preceding September 1, 2026; and
Page 25, Line 2(IV) The applicant is not a registered dietitian.
Page 25, Line 3(b) This subsection (5) is repealed, effective September 1, 2028.
Page 25, Line 412-223-109. Disciplinary action - grounds for discipline.
Page 25, Line 5(1) Pursuant to part 4 of article 20 of this title 12, the board
Page 25, Line 6may deny or refuse to renew a license, suspend or revoke a
Page 25, Line 7license, impose probationary conditions on a license, issue a
Page 25, Line 8cease-and-desist letter, or seek injunctive relief against a
Page 25, Line 9licensee or an applicant for licensure who has engaged in one or
Page 25, Line 10more of the following grounds for discipline or unprofessional conduct:
Page 25, Line 11(a) Engaging in conduct involving fraud, deceit,
Page 25, Line 12misrepresentation, or concealment of material facts in
Page 25, Line 13obtaining or attempting to obtain a license or the renewal of a license;
Page 25, Line 14(b) Committing an act of malpractice, gross negligence, or incompetence in the practice of dietetics or nutrition;
Page 25, Line 15(c) Except as otherwise provided in section 12-223-113,
Page 25, Line 16practicing medical nutrition therapy without a valid license
Page 25, Line 17issued under this article 223, the penalty for which is set forth in section 12-223-115;
Page 25, Line 18(d) Engaging in conduct that could result in harm or injury to the public;
Page 25, Line 19(e) Adjudication of incompetency until proof of recovery
Page 25, Line 20from the condition can be established; and
Page 26, Line 1(f) Being convicted in a court of, or having entered a plea
Page 26, Line 2of guilty or nolo contendere to, a crime directly related to the
Page 26, Line 3duties and responsibilities of a dietitian or nutritionist or a crime that was violent or sexual in nature.
Page 26, Line 412-223-110. Provisional and limited permits. (1) The board
Page 26, Line 5may issue an individual a provisional license to practice as a
Page 26, Line 6dietitian or a nutritionist upon the filing of an application with
Page 26, Line 7payment of an appropriate fee, the submission of evidence of
Page 26, Line 8successful completion of the educational and supervised
Page 26, Line 9practice requirements, and the submission of evidence that the
Page 26, Line 10individual has applied to take an examination described in section 12-223-107 (1)(a)(III) or 12-223-108 (1)(c)(I).
Page 26, Line 11(2) A provisional license expires one year after the date of issuance and is not eligible for renewal.
Page 26, Line 12(3) A dietitian provisional license authorizes the licensee to practice only under the supervision of a licensed dietitian.
Page 26, Line 13(4) A nutritionist provisional license authorizes the
Page 26, Line 14licensee to practice only under the supervision of a licensed dietitian or a licensed nutritionist.
Page 26, Line 15(5) The board shall determine the fee for issuance of a
Page 26, Line 16provisional license in the manner authorized by section 12-20-105.
Page 26, Line 1712-223-111. License required - title protection. (1) Except as
Page 26, Line 18otherwise provided in section 12-223-113, on and after September
Page 26, Line 191, 2026, an individual shall not engage in or offer to provide
Page 26, Line 20medical nutrition therapy unless the individual is licensed
Page 26, Line 21under this article 223.
Page 27, Line 1(2) (a) An individual shall not designate themself or hold
Page 27, Line 2themself out as a licensed dietitian unless the individual is
Page 27, Line 3licensed as a dietitian under this article 223. An individual shall
Page 27, Line 4not use or assume the title "dietitian", "dietitian nutritionist",
Page 27, Line 5or "dietician" unless the individual holds the registered
Page 27, Line 6dietitian credential from the Commission on Dietetic Registration or is licensed as a dietitian under this article 223.
Page 27, Line 7(b) An individual shall not append to, or use in
Page 27, Line 8conjunction with, the individual's name the letters "LD" or
Page 27, Line 9"LDN" unless the individual is licensed as a dietitian under this article 223.
Page 27, Line 10(3) (a) An individual shall not use or assume a title
Page 27, Line 11indicating that the individual is a licensed nutritionist or append
Page 27, Line 12to, or use in conjunction with, the individual's name the letters
Page 27, Line 13"LN" unless the individual is licensed as a nutritionist under this article 223.
Page 27, Line 14(b) An individual shall not designate themself or hold
Page 27, Line 15themself out as a nutritionist or use or assume the title
Page 27, Line 16"nutritionist" unless the individual is licensed under this article 223.
Page 27, Line 17(4) An individual is not prohibited by this article 223 from
Page 27, Line 18identifying themself using an earned, federally trademarked
Page 27, Line 19nutrition credential, but such permitted use does not give the
Page 27, Line 20individual the right to practice medical nutrition therapy unless the individual is also licensed under this article 223.
Page 27, Line 2112-223-112. Qualified supervisors - duties. (1) (a) To qualify
Page 27, Line 22as a qualified supervisor for purposes of this article 223, an individual must meet the following requirements:
Page 28, Line 1(I) If supervising a student or trainee who is providing
Page 28, Line 2medical nutrition therapy in a state that provides for licensure
Page 28, Line 3or certification of dietitians, dietitian nutritionists, or nutritionists, the individual must be one of the following:
Page 28, Line 4(A) A licensed dietitian, a licensed nutritionist, or a
Page 28, Line 5health-care provider licensed or certified in a state or
Page 28, Line 6territory in the United States, including licensed or certified
Page 28, Line 7dietitians, dietitian nutritionists, or nutritionists, whose scope
Page 28, Line 8of practice includes the provision of medical nutrition therapy; or
Page 28, Line 9(B) An employee of the federal government authorized
Page 28, Line 10within the discharge of the individual's official duties to provide medical nutrition therapy;
Page 28, Line 11(II) If supervising a student or trainee in a state that does
Page 28, Line 12not provide for licensure or certification of dietitians, dietitian
Page 28, Line 13nutritionists, or nutritionists, the individual meets other
Page 28, Line 14criteria as the board may establish, including being a registered
Page 28, Line 15dietitian or a licensed health-care provider whose scope of
Page 28, Line 16practice includes the provision of medical nutrition therapy; and
Page 28, Line 17(III) Unless the individual is an employee of the federal
Page 28, Line 18government authorized within the discharge of the individual's
Page 28, Line 19official duties to provide medical nutrition therapy, the
Page 28, Line 20individual must be licensed in this state if supervising a student
Page 28, Line 21or trainee who is providing medical nutrition therapy to an
Page 28, Line 22individual located in this state.
Page 29, Line 1(b) A qualified supervisor shall only supervise a clinical
Page 29, Line 2activity or nutrition care service for which the qualified supervisor is qualified and is authorized to perform.
Page 29, Line 3(c) A qualified supervisor shall develop and carry out a
Page 29, Line 4program for advancing and optimizing the quality of care
Page 29, Line 5provided by a student or trainee being supervised. The qualified
Page 29, Line 6supervisor and the student or trainee being supervised shall
Page 29, Line 7identify and document goals for supervised practice experience,
Page 29, Line 8the assignment of clinical tasks as appropriate to the supervised
Page 29, Line 9individual's evolving level of competence, the supervised
Page 29, Line 10individual's relationship and access to the qualified supervisor,
Page 29, Line 11and a process for evaluating the student or trainee's performance.
Page 29, Line 12(d) A qualified supervisor shall oversee the activities of,
Page 29, Line 13and approve and accept responsibility for the nutrition care services rendered by, the student or trainee.
Page 29, Line 14(e) A qualified supervisor shall be physically on site and
Page 29, Line 15present where the supervised individual is providing nutrition
Page 29, Line 16care services or be immediately and continuously available to
Page 29, Line 17the supervised individual by means of two-way, real-time
Page 29, Line 18audiovisual technology that allows for direct,
Page 29, Line 19contemporaneous interaction by sight and sound between the
Page 29, Line 20qualified supervisor and the supervised individual. If the
Page 29, Line 21qualified supervisor assigns a nutrition care service to a
Page 29, Line 22supervised individual that is to be provided in a setting where
Page 29, Line 23the qualified supervisor is not routinely present, the qualified
Page 29, Line 24supervisor shall ensure that the means and methods of
Page 30, Line 1supervision are adequate to ensure appropriate patient care,
Page 30, Line 2which may include synchronous videoconferencing or another
Page 30, Line 3method of communication and oversight that is appropriate to
Page 30, Line 4the care setting and the education and experience of the supervised individual.
Page 30, Line 5(f) A qualified supervisor shall review on a regular basis
Page 30, Line 6the charts, records, and clinical notes of the supervised
Page 30, Line 7individuals and maintain responsibility for the supervised individuals' clinical record keeping.
Page 30, Line 8(g) A qualified supervisor shall be available to render
Page 30, Line 9assistance during the provision of nutrition care services when
Page 30, Line 10requested by a patient or shall have arranged for another
Page 30, Line 11qualified practitioner lawfully able to render nutrition care
Page 30, Line 12services to be available in the absence of the qualified supervisor.
Page 30, Line 13(h) A qualified supervisor shall limit the assignment of
Page 30, Line 14nutrition care services to those services that are within the
Page 30, Line 15training and experience of the supervised individual and customary to the practice of the qualified supervisor.
Page 30, Line 1612-223-113. Exemptions. (1) This article 223 does not affect or prevent:
Page 30, Line 17(a) A health-care professional licensed under this title 12
Page 30, Line 18and practicing in this state from engaging in the practice of
Page 30, Line 19medical nutrition therapy when medical nutrition therapy is
Page 30, Line 20within the individual's licensed scope of practice and is
Page 30, Line 21incidental to the practice for which they are licensed; except
Page 30, Line 22that such individual shall not represent themself using titles protected under section 12-223-111;
Page 31, Line 1(b) A student or trainee from engaging in the practice of medical nutrition therapy, if:
Page 31, Line 2(I) The student or trainee practices under this subsection
Page 31, Line 3(1)(b) as part of a course of study or as part of a planned,
Page 31, Line 4continuous supervised practice experience to satisfy
Page 31, Line 5educational or supervised practice experience requirements described in section 12-223-107 (1)(a) or 12-223-108 (1)(b);
Page 31, Line 6(II) The student or trainee who is completing the
Page 31, Line 7supervised practice experience required under section 12-223-107
Page 31, Line 8(1)(a)(II) or 12-223-108 (1)(b) practices under this subsection (1)(b)
Page 31, Line 9not more than five years after completing the educational
Page 31, Line 10requirements under section 12-223-107 (1)(a)(I) or 12-223-108 (1)(a);
Page 31, Line 11(III) The student or trainee practices under this subsection (1)(b) only while supervised by a qualified supervisor;
Page 31, Line 12(IV) The student or trainee does not engage in the unrestricted practice of medical nutrition therapy; and
Page 31, Line 13(V) While practicing under this subsection (1)(b), the
Page 31, Line 14student or trainee uses a title that clearly indicates their status as a student, intern, trainee, or supervised individual;
Page 31, Line 15(c) A dietitian or nutritionist who is serving in the armed
Page 31, Line 16forces or the United States public health service or is employed
Page 31, Line 17by the United States department of veterans affairs from
Page 31, Line 18engaging in the practice of medical nutrition therapy or using
Page 31, Line 19government-issued titles, provided the practice or title use is
Page 31, Line 20related to such service or employment;
Page 32, Line 1(d) An individual who is employed by, or who contracts
Page 32, Line 2with, the state, a county, a municipal agency, or another
Page 32, Line 3political subdivision, for the purposes of providing nutrition
Page 32, Line 4care services for the special supplemental nutrition program
Page 32, Line 5for women, infants, and children, created pursuant to 42 U.S.C.
Page 32, Line 6sec. 1786, and who is authorized within the discharge of their
Page 32, Line 7official duties to use the title "nutritionist" from providing
Page 32, Line 8nutrition care services within the discharge of their official duties;
Page 32, Line 9(e) An individual who does not represent themself using
Page 32, Line 10titles protected under section 12-223-111 from providing medical weight control for obesity as part of the following:
Page 32, Line 11(I) An instructional program that has been approved in writing by at least one of the following individuals:
Page 32, Line 12(A) A dietitian or nutritionist licensed in this state; or
Page 32, Line 13(B) A health-care professional licensed or certified in
Page 32, Line 14this state whose authorized scope of practice includes medical nutrition therapy; or
Page 32, Line 15(II) A plan of care that is overseen by a health-care
Page 32, Line 16professional licensed in this state whose scope of practice
Page 32, Line 17otherwise authorizes the health-care professional to provide
Page 32, Line 18and delegate medical nutrition therapy, if the medical weight
Page 32, Line 19control services are not discretionary and do not require the exercise of professional judgment;
Page 32, Line 20(f) An individual who does not represent themself using
Page 32, Line 21titles protected under section 12-223-111 from assisting with the
Page 32, Line 22provision of medical nutrition therapy if the individual performs
Page 33, Line 1only support activities that are not discretionary and that do
Page 33, Line 2not require the exercise of professional judgment to perform,
Page 33, Line 3and the individual is directly supervised by one of the following
Page 33, Line 4licensed practitioners acting within the scope of the practitioner's license:
Page 33, Line 5(I) A licensed dietitian;
(II) A licensed nutritionist; or
Page 33, Line 6(III) A health-care professional licensed in this state;
Page 33, Line 7(g) An individual from disseminating nonindividualized,
Page 33, Line 8written, general nonmedical nutrition information in
Page 33, Line 9connection with the marketing and distribution of dietary
Page 33, Line 10supplements, food, herbs, or food materials, including
Page 33, Line 11explanations of their federally regulated label claims, their
Page 33, Line 12known drug-nutrient interactions, their role in various diets, or
Page 33, Line 13suggestions as how to best use and combine them, so long as such
Page 33, Line 14information does not constitute medical nutrition therapy and
Page 33, Line 15the individual does not represent themself using titles protected under section 12-223-111;
Page 33, Line 16(h) An individual from providing individualized nutrition
Page 33, Line 17recommendations for wellness and primary prevention of
Page 33, Line 18chronic disease, health coaching, holistic and wellness
Page 33, Line 19education, guidance, motivation, behavior change management,
Page 33, Line 20services for nonmedical weight control, or other nutrition care services so long as all the following apply:
Page 33, Line 21(I) The services do not constitute medical nutrition therapy;
Page 33, Line 22(II) The individual does not represent themself using titles protected under section 12-223-111; and
Page 34, Line 1(III) The individual does not hold themself out as licensed
Page 34, Line 2or qualified to engage in the practice of medical nutrition therapy; and
Page 34, Line 3(i) An out-of-state licensed practitioner from providing
Page 34, Line 4medical nutrition therapy services via telehealth to a patient located in this state if the out-of-state licensed practitioner:
Page 34, Line 5(I) Is licensed in this state as a licensed dietitian or
Page 34, Line 6licensed nutritionist or has obtained a dietitian licensure compact privilege; or
Page 34, Line 7(II) Is a health-care professional licensed or certified in
Page 34, Line 8good standing in a state or territory, with a licensed or
Page 34, Line 9certified scope of practice that includes the provision of medical
Page 34, Line 10nutrition therapy and medical nutrition therapy services via telehealth:
Page 34, Line 11(A) In consultation with a medical nutrition therapy
Page 34, Line 12practitioner licensed in this state who has a practitioner-patient relationship with the patient;
Page 34, Line 13(B) For a patient with whom the licensed practitioner has
Page 34, Line 14a current practitioner-patient relationship, and the patient is temporarily present in this state; or
Page 34, Line 15(C) Pursuant to a current practitioner-patient
Page 34, Line 16relationship, and such care is limited to temporary or
Page 34, Line 17short-term follow-up medical nutrition therapy services to ensure continuity of care.
Page 34, Line 18(2) By engaging in telehealth with a patient located in
Page 34, Line 19this state, a licensed practitioner exempted from Colorado
Page 35, Line 1licensure under subsection (1)(i)(II) of this section consents to
Page 35, Line 2the applicable Colorado laws, rules, and regulations governing
Page 35, Line 3the licensed practitioner's profession; the jurisdiction of
Page 35, Line 4Colorado; and the jurisdiction of the applicable licensing board
Page 35, Line 5regulating the licensed practitioner's profession, including the
Page 35, Line 6licensing board's complaint, investigation, and hearing process
Page 35, Line 7and ability to seek injunctions and impose civil penalties and fines.
Page 35, Line 812-223-114. License expiration - license renewal - continuing
Page 35, Line 9education - rules. (1) The board may renew licenses upon
Page 35, Line 10satisfactory completion of the renewal application, payment of
Page 35, Line 11the renewal fee, and the successful completion of continuing
Page 35, Line 12education requirements, including at least seventy-five hours
Page 35, Line 13of continuing education every five years, as determined by the board.
Page 35, Line 14(2) The board shall adopt rules establishing continuing education requirements for renewing licenses.
Page 35, Line 1512-223-115. Penalties. (1) An individual who practices or
Page 35, Line 16offers or attempts to practice in violation of section 12-223-111
Page 35, Line 17commits a class 2 misdemeanor pursuant to section 12-20-407(1)(a)(V)(Y).
Page 35, Line 18(2) In addition to other penalties or remedies pursuant to,
Page 35, Line 19or rules adopted under, this article 223, the board may impose an
Page 35, Line 20administrative fine in accordance with section 12-20-404 (1)(c)
Page 35, Line 21against an individual who violates a provision of this article 223.
Page 35, Line 22(3) In addition to other penalties or remedies pursuant to,
Page 36, Line 1or rules adopted under, this article 223, the board may assess
Page 36, Line 2and collect all costs incurred in connection with disciplinary
Page 36, Line 3actions, including investigator fees, stenographer fees, attorney fees, and hearing costs.
Page 36, Line 412-223-116. Repeal of article - review of functions.This
Page 36, Line 5article 223 is repealed, effective September 1, 2035. Before the
Page 36, Line 6repeal, this article 223 is scheduled for review in accordance with section 24-34-104.
Page 36, Line 7SECTION 2. In Colorado Revised Statutes, 12-20-202, amend (3)(e)(X) and (3)(e)(XI); and add (3)(e)(XII) as follows:
Page 36, Line 812-20-202. Licenses, certifications, and registrations - renewal
Page 36, Line 9- reinstatement - fees - occupational credential portability program
Page 36, Line 10- exceptions for military personnel, spouses, gold star military
Page 36, Line 11spouses, and dependents - rules - consideration of criminal
Page 36, Line 12convictions or driver's history - executive director authority -
Page 36, Line 13definitions. (3) Occupational credential portability program -
Page 36, Line 14definitions. (e) Subsections (3)(a) to (3)(d) of this section do not apply to the following professions or occupations:
Page 36, Line 15(X) Direct-entry midwives, regulated pursuant to article 225 of this title 12;
orPage 36, Line 16(XI) Surgical assistants and surgical technologists, regulated pursuant to article 310 of this title 12; or
Page 36, Line 17(XII) Dietitians and nutritionists, regulated pursuant to article 223 of this title 12.
Page 36, Line 18SECTION 3. In Colorado Revised Statutes, 12-20-407, add (1)(a)(V)(Y) as follows:
Page 36, Line 1912-20-407. Unauthorized practice of profession or occupation
Page 37, Line 1- penalties - exclusions. (1) (a) A person commits a class 2 misdemeanor and shall be punished as provided in section 18-1.3-501 if the person:
Page 37, Line 2(V) Practices or offers or attempts to practice any of the following
Page 37, Line 3professions or occupations without an active license, certification, or
Page 37, Line 4registration issued under the part or article of this title 12 governing the particular profession or occupation:
Page 37, Line 5(Y) Medical nutrition therapy, as regulated under article 223 of this title 12.
Page 37, Line 6SECTION 4. In Colorado Revised Statutes, 6-1-724, amend (6)(s) and (6)(t); and add (6)(u) as follows:
Page 37, Line 76-1-724. Unlicensed alternative health-care practitioners -
Page 37, Line 8deceptive trade practices - short title - legislative declaration -
Page 37, Line 9definitions. (6) A complementary and alternative health-care practitioner
Page 37, Line 10providing complementary and alternative health-care services under this section who is not licensed, certified, or registered by the state shall not:
Page 37, Line 11(s) Recommend the discontinuation of a course of care, including
Page 37, Line 12a prescription drug, that was recommended or prescribed by a health-care professional;
orPage 37, Line 13(t) Hold
oneselfPage 37, Line 14imply to a client or prospective client that
he or shePage 37, Line 15practitioner is a physician, surgeon, or both, or that
he or she isPage 37, Line 16are a health-care professional who is licensed, certified, or registered by the state; or
Page 37, Line 17(u) Provide medical nutrition therapy, as regulated under
Page 37, Line 18article 223 of title 12, unless exempt from regulation pursuant to section 12-223-113.
Page 37, Line 19SECTION 5. In Colorado Revised Statutes, repeal 6-1-707 (1)(b).
Page 38, Line 1SECTION 6. In Colorado Revised Statutes, 24-34-104, add (36)(a)(VII) as follows:
Page 38, Line 224-34-104. General assembly review of regulatory agencies
Page 38, Line 3and functions for repeal, continuation, or reestablishment - legislative
Page 38, Line 4declaration - repeal. (36) (a) The following agencies, functions, or both are scheduled for repeal on September 1, 2035:
Page 38, Line 5(VII) The regulation of dietitians and nutritionists in accordance with article 223 of title 12.
Page 38, Line 6SECTION 7. In Colorado Revised Statutes, 24-1-122, add (3)(oo) as follows:
Page 38, Line 724-1-122. Department of regulatory agencies - creation. (3) The
Page 38, Line 8following boards and agencies in the department of regulatory agencies are
Page 38, Line 9allocated to the division of professions and occupations and are type 1 entities, as defined in section 24-1-105:
Page 38, Line 10(oo) The state board of dietetics and nutrition, created in article 223 of title 12.
Page 38, Line 11SECTION 8. Act subject to petition - effective date -
Page 38, Line 12applicability. (1) This act takes effect at 12:01 a.m. on the day following
Page 38, Line 13the expiration of the ninety-day period after final adjournment of the
Page 38, Line 14general assembly; except that, if a referendum petition is filed pursuant to
Page 38, Line 15section 1 (3) of article V of the state constitution against this act or an
Page 38, Line 16item, section, or part of this act within such period, then the act, item,
Page 38, Line 17section, or part will not take effect unless approved by the people at the
Page 38, Line 18general election to be held in November 2026 and, in such case, will take
Page 38, Line 19effect on the date of the official declaration of the vote thereon by the
Page 38, Line 20governor.
Page 39, Line 1(2) This act applies to offenses committed on or after the applicable effective date of this act.