Protected Titles

The Professional Dietitians Act protects the public by ensuring that only individuals who are licensed with NSDA are authorized to use the titles.  The Act enables the public to recognize those qualified providers by the use of a distinct and protected titles or professional designation.

According to Section 12(2) of the Professional Dietitians Act, a person not licensed under the Act may not use the titles or designations dietitan or nutritionist or the initials P.Dt.  This section of the Act applies to a person who may be qualified to be licensed, but has not registered with NSDA, for example a retired dietitian or a dietitian who moved to Nova Scotia from another province.  This section also applies to a person who uses the title but does not have the required training and is not qualified to register with NSDA.

The process NSDA implements once it is aware that an unlicensed person is using the protected title is as follows.  NSDA informs the individual that he or she is in violation of the Act, sends a membership application form and Section 12 of the Act.  If the individual does not comply within 14 days of receiving notice of violation, NSDA contacts the employer.  If the individual remains in violation of the Act 14 days after the employer has received notice of violation, the Association has the right to have charges brought against the individual as per Section 12(3) of the Act:

Any person who violates subsection (2) or in any way represents that that person is a professional dietitian or who by false and fraudulent declaration attempts to procure registration under this Act, is guilty of an offence and liable on summary conviction to a fine not exceeding $2000 and, in default of payment to imprisonment for a period not exceeding six months.