As used in these rules, the following terms and acronyms shall have the following meanings ascribed to them:

1. (1) Advertising - Includes, but is not limited to, business solicitations, with or without limiting qualifications, in a card, sign, or device issued to a person; in a sign or marking in or on any building; or in any newspaper, magazine, directory or other printed matter. Advertising also includes business solicitations communicated by individuals, radio, video, or television broadcasting or any other means designed to secure public attention.
2. (2) Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics (“AND”) - A national organization of food and nutrition professionals, formerly known as the American Dietetic Association (ADA), which accredits educational and pre-professional training programs in dietetics. Any reference in this rule to the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics shall also include any successor name/organization.
3. (3) Applicant - Any individual seeking licensure by the Board who has submitted an official application and paid the application fee.
4. (4) Board - The Board of Dietitian/Nutritionist Examiners.
5. (5) Board Administrative Office - The office of the administrator assigned to the Board located at 665 Mainstream Drive, Nashville, TN 37243.
6. (6) Board Designee - Any person who has received a delegation of authority from the Board to perform Board functions subject to review and ratification by the full Board where provided by these rules.
7. (7) Closed Files - An administrative action which renders an incomplete or denied file inactive.
8. (8) Commission - The Commission on Dietetic Registration (CDR) of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics. This agency evaluates credentials, administers proficiency examinations, and issues certificates of registration to qualifying dietitians, and is a member of the National Commission on Health Certifying Agencies.
9. (9) Dietitian and Nutritionist - A licensed health care professional practicing dietetics/nutrition. “Dietitian” or “nutritionist” may be used interchangeably.
10. (10) Department - Tennessee Department of Health.
11. (11) Division - The Division of Health Related Boards, Tennessee Department of Health, from which the Board receives administrative support.
12. (12) Good Moral Character - The quality of being well regarded in personal behavior and professional ethics.
13. (13) He/She His/Her - When “he” appears in the text of these rules, the word represents both the feminine and masculine genders.
14. (14) License - Document issued to an applicant who successfully completes the licensure process. The license takes the form of an “artistically designed” license as well as other versions bearing an expiration date.
15. (15) Licensed Dietitian/Nutritionist - Any person who has met the qualifications for licensure and holds a current or unrevoked license which has been lawfully issued by the Board.
16. (16) Non-Medical - As referred to in T.C.A. § 63-25-104, means the dissemination of nontherapeutic information relating only to normal nutrition for healthy people.
17. (17) Person - Any individual, firm, corporation, partnership, organization, or body politic.
18. (18) Registered Dietitian (R.D.) - A person who is currently registered by the Commission.
19. (19) Supervision - The ongoing, direct review, for the purpose of training or teaching, by an approved supervisor who monitors the performance of an individual. The supervisor provides regular documented face-to-face guidance and instructions with respect to the skills and competencies of the person supervised.
20. (20) Use of Title or Description - To hold oneself out to the public as having a particular status by means of stating on, but not limited to signs, mailboxes, address plates, stationery, announcements, business cards, media or other instruments of professional identification.

Authority: T.C.A. §§ 63-25-103, 63-25-104, and 63-25-107. Administrative History: Original rule filed January 29, 1990; effective March 15, 1990. Amendment filed July 19, 1990; effective September 2, 1990. Repeal and new rule filed December 18, 1995; effective March 1, 1996. Amendment filed September 17, 1998; effective December 1, 1998. Amendment filed September 5, 2002; effective November 19, 2002. Amendments filed March 17, 2026; effective June 15, 2026.