Requirements of All Weight Control Programs

To be in compliance with the Act to Regulate the Practice of Dietetics/Nutrition, a person who provides a weight control program or service and is not licensed under Chapter 90 of the General Statutes must:

  • Not hold himself/herself out to be a dietitian or nutritionist or imply orally or in writing or indicate in any way that he/she is a dietitian or nutritionist;
  • Have the program reviewed within 120 days of opening and annually by a dietitian/nutritionist currently licensed according to Article 25 of Chapter 90 of the General Statutes;
  • Not initiate any changes to the approved program without the prior approval of a licensed dietitian/nutritionist. The Board office must be notified within 30 days of any changes in program ownership, contact information, or consent forms;
  • Have consultation available from either a dietitian/nutritionist currently licensed in North Carolina; a dietitian/nutritionist licensed in another state that has licensure requirements that the North Carolina Board of Dietetics/Nutrition approves as equivalent to those of this state; or a dietitian registered by the Commission on Dietetic Registration; and
  • Adhere to the program that is reviewed and approved.

A weight control program or service is defined as a general program of instruction with food, supplements, food products or a food plan designed for one or more healthy population groups in order to achieve or maintain a healthy weight. A weight control program is not based on an individual nutrition assessment as defined in 21 NCAC 17 .0101(9) and is not individualized to provide nutrition care services to manage, treat or rehabilitate a medical condition, illness, or injury for a specific person or group as defined in GS 90-352 and 21 NCAC 17 .0101(10).

A review of a weight control program means the consideration and evaluation of a weight control program or service, in accordance with GS 90-350 through 369 and 21 NCAC 17 .0200, which results in either approval or disapproval of the program. A reviewer must be a dietitian/nutritionist who is currently licensed and in good standing according to Article 25 of Chapter 90 of the General Statutes. Reviewers are encouraged to be enrolled in or have completed a Board approved training program to become a Certified Reviewer. The reviewer must perform his/her duties in compliance with the Act to Regulate the Practice of Dietetics/Nutrition and the Rules of the North Carolina Board of Dietetics/Nutrition and must review the weight control program to determine compliance with the Law and the Rules.