If you’re wondering whether you can receive care, please read below and reach out to me directly. The landscape of telehealth and state licensure for dietitians is complex, especially in a post-pandemic world where virtual care is more accessible than ever, but not without its regulations. This page outlines licensed states, determination processes of whether I can legally see clients located in certain states, and how telehealth rules impact my ability to work with you depending on where you live—or more importantly, where you are physically located at the time of your appointment.
Telehealth allows me to offer care to clients beyond my physical location, however, nutrition providers are required to follow the licensure rules of the state where the client is located at the time of the session, not where the provider is located.
In some states, I must hold an active state specific license to provide Medical Nutrition Therapy (MNT). In other states, I am legally permitted to practice without state-specific licensure if I am nationally registered through CDR, depending on whether the state:
Has title protection only (you must be licensed to use certain title(s) such as “dietitian, registered dietitian, licensed or certified registered dietitian" but not necessarily to practice)
Has practice exclusivity (you must be licensed to practice at all)
Does not regulate dietetics title and or practice at the state level.
Example – Tennessee:
Tennessee is a state that has both title protection and practice exclusivity. This means that I must be licensed in the state to call myself a dietitian and a licensed dietitian and to provide care. If I were not licensed, I could not legally offer nutrition therapy in Tennessee, even if I avoided using the title "dietitian." Because I hold an active license in Tennessee, I am legally permitted to offer care to clients who are physically located in the state at the time of their appointment.
I am licensed or certified as a dietitian in the following states. In these states, I may both use the protected title “Licensed or Certified Dietitian” and legally provide Medical Nutrition Therapy (MNT):
Washington (WA)
Minnesota (MN)
Mississippi (MS)
Tennessee (TN)
In addition to the above states that I am licensed, I may at any given time also be working with a select number of clients in the following states within my understanding of current state laws that do not require licensure for out-of-state dietitians, either due to exemptions, temporary practice allowances, ect.
California (CA) – (Note that in CA clients must have a doctor's referral to receive MNT)
Michigan (MI)
Arizona (AZ)
Colorado (CO)
New York (NY)
Hawaii (HI)
Virginia (VA)
Georgia (GA) – I may provide care for up to 30 days per calendar year without state licensure.
These states either:
Do not have title protection or require a license to practice Medical Nutrition Therapy
Protect the title of “dietitian” but not the practice itself, or
Have exceptions for short-term or telehealth-based services.
Most state telehealth laws determine eligibility based on where the client is physically located during the session, not their state of residence.
For example, even if you live in Michigan (a state where I can legally practice), but are physically in Connecticut during your appointment (a state where licensure is required and I am not licensed), I would not be permitted to see you at that time.
If you travel frequently or live in multiple states, please contact me directly so we can clarify whether I can meet with you based on your location at the time of service.
I am a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist (RDN) nationally credentialed through the Commission on Dietetic Registration (CDR). This means I have completed:
An accredited didactic undergraduate program in dietetics (DPD), completed in 2014
Over 1,200 hours of supervised practice, completed in December, 2016
Passed the nationally recognized registration examination (the RD boards), passed in January 2017
While a master’s degree was not required when I became an RDN, I hold a Master’s in Nutrition (completed in 2017), which has deepened my clinical expertise and understanding of complex nutrition needs. I also completed a Graduate Certificate in Eating Disorders and Obesity in 2016. While I do not personally use the term “obesity” in my work due to its potential to be stigmatizing, this certificate reflects advanced training in medical nutrition therapy for clients with diverse body sizes, disordered eating, and co-occurring medical conditions.
While I am a nationally credentialed and state-licensed Registered Dietitian Nutritionist in the above specified 4 states of TN, WA, MS, and MN, I am not a medical doctor, psychiatrist, psychologist, or licensed therapist. My services focus on nutrition counseling as well as medical nutrition therapy, which is just one part of a collaborative and multidisciplinary care plan.
If you are unsure whether you can receive services based on your state or specific situation, please reach out.
Please don’t hesitate to contact me with any questions. This page is intended to explain my scope of practice based on my best understanding of current state regulations, but laws and requirements may change. I make every good faith effort to practice legally and ethically.
Because I must comply with state-specific telehealth regulations, I kindly ask clients to take note of the following policies:
If You Will Be Physically Located in a Different State Than Your Home Address During Your Appointment:
Please notify me at least 72 business hours in advance if you will be physically located in a state different from the one listed on your intake paperwork or client file. This notice is required so that I can:
Verify whether I am legally permitted to provide care in the state where you will be during your session, and
Advise you whether the session can proceed or needs to be rescheduled.
If you are physically located in a state (that is different from your home address on file where I am not licensed or authorized to practice at the time of your appointment), and you have not provided at least 72 business hours' notice, you will be responsible for the late cancellation fee for that session.
I completely understand that plans change and travel happens—however, due to strict state licensure laws, I am not legally allowed to proceed with a session if I am not permitted to practice in the state you are currently in. This policy ensures I remain compliant with state regulations and standards of care.
I’m always happy to resume working together once you are back in a state where I can legally provide services.
For California Clients
California law requires that dietitians obtain a physician referral in order to provide Medical Nutrition Therapy (MNT). If you reside in California, or are located in California at the time of your session, please contact me prior to your first appointment so that I can provide you with a physician referral form to have your doctor complete for you.
Your physician (PCP or another licensed provider) will need to complete and sign the form.
Once completed, the form should be faxed to me at 615-205-6890 before your first session.
I do not claim to be licensed in any states other than those explicitly listed on this page. I practice in states where I hold active licensure and in states where current regulations allow for out-of-state dietitian services without state-specific licensure, based on my best understanding of applicable laws and in good faith compliance.
If you are unsure whether I can see you based on your physical location, please contact me directly before scheduling or attending your session.
Disclaimer
This information above is based on my best understanding of current laws and licensing regulations. It is not legal advice. I make every good-faith effort to remain compliant with state requirements as I understand them and stay up to date as laws evolve.