Interstate Licensure Compacts: The 21st Century Solution to Dietetic Practice and Telehealth Across State Lines

Interstate Licensure Compacts are presently in place allowing professional practice across state lines in over 25 states and covering nine health professions. Licensure Compacts have gained traction as a way for various health professionals to provide services to individuals in other states, while still preserving the state's autonomy to determine licensure requirements. Compacts are formed when two or more states enact legislation that include specific uniform language. After a Compact is established, it is administered by a non-governmental organization.

The Academy is currently collaborating with the Council of State Governments and the Department of Defense to develop the first Interstate Licensure Compact for RDNs. This will enable the provision of nutrition and dietetic care services by qualified licensed practitioners and permit cross-state nutrition and dietetic practice.

The Compact will ease the onus of obtaining numerous state licenses for individuals who practice in multiple states through traditional or technology/telehealth-enabled modes. The Compact will also ease the burden on military spouses. It will significantly increase the quality of and equitable access to nutrition and dietetic services for patients, clients and other individuals who are presently unable to receive complex medical nutrition therapy and other services in underserved areas.

Planned with the Legislative and Public Policy Committee and Consumer Protection and Licensure Sub-Committee

CPE Level: Level 2 (intermediate knowledge/experience)
CPEU: 1.5

Performance Indicators

• 2.3.4 Identifies opportunities for mutually beneficial partnerships with individuals or organizations with shared visions.
• 3.2.6 Communicates with policy makers to influence decisions that impact the advancement of the profession.
• 3.3.5 Advocates for financial support and insurance coverage for patients / clients to ensure access to nutrition services.

Learning Objectives

• Explain the need for and benefits of interstate practice and licensure compacts.
• Describe the Department of Defense and the Council of State Governments involvement regarding Interstate Professional Licensure Compacts (IPLC) for military spouses and others.
• List the process for developing the IPLC and identifying the collaborating partners, as well as what RDNs can do to support states considering IPLC participation.

Moderator

• Catherine Christie

Speakers

• Daniel Logsdon
• Tammie Perreault
• Barbara A. Wakeen