The mission of the North Carolina Board of Dietetics/Nutrition is to protect the health, safety, and welfare of the citizens of North Carolina from harmful nutrition practice by providing for the licensure and regulation of persons engaged in the practice of dietetics/nutrition and by establishing educational standards for those persons.
In July 1991, the Act to Regulate the Practice of Dietetics/Nutrition was passed in the North Carolina General Assembly. The first Board was appointed in early 1992. There are seven Board members, five professional and two public. By law, there must be a professional member working in the area of clinical dietetics, management, education at the college or university level, public health, and private practice. Four of the Board members are appointed by the General Assembly, and three are appointed by the Governor. The first dietitians were licensed in June 1992. To date, there are over 2000 licensed dietitians in North Carolina.
By early 1993, the Board had adopted rules that outlined the ways that one may become licensed, as well as a code of ethics, fee structure, and methods for handling complaints and violations.
By 1996, the North Carolina Board of Dietetics/Nutrition had adopted rules that allowed for the review and approval of weight control services. North Carolina was the first state licensing board to approve weight control services that meet minimum requirements for safe weight control. There are thirteen standards that providers of weight control must be in compliance with in order to receive approval.