Section 344-2-2 - LicensureA. A person who practices as a dietitian or dietetic technician in Maine must be licensed with this Board. Any person practicing as a dietitian or a dietetic technician (unless otherwise exempt) without a license will be construed as engaging in "unlicensed practice" and may be subject to referral to the Office of the Attorney General.B. Eligibility 1. Dietitian a. Educational requirements i. Baccalaureate or higher degree from a U.S. regionally accredited college or university as recognized by theCouncil on Post Secondary Education. Applicants who have obtained their education outside of the United States and its territories must have their academic degree(s) validated as equivalent to the baccalaureate or masters degree conferred by a regionally accredited college or university in the United States. The Board will accept equivalency validations from U.S. regionally accredited colleges or universities or Board approved agencies specializing in educational credential evaluations; andii. Successful completion of the academic requirements established by the American Dietetic Association (ADA) or the equivalent: a major course of study in human nutrition, food and nutrition dietetics, or food system management.b. Experience Requirements i. Successful completion of experience requirements approved by the American Dietetic Association (ADA) or-ii. Equivalent Experience aa. Successful completion of 900 hours of planned continuous clinical experience which shall be acquired in not fewer than 6 months in the field of dietetics; andbb. Experience shall be pre approved by the Board and will be acquired during or within 5 years of completion of the academic requirements and not more than 5 years before the date of licensure application; andcc. Experience must be observed, assessed and verified by a licensed dietitian, a dietitian licensed in another state that has licensure requirements determined by the Board to be equal to the requirements of PL 1987, ch. 313, Section 5, or a dietitian in another state without licensing who is registered by the American Dietetic Association.c. Examination Requirements. Successful completion of examination given by the American Dietetic Association or equivalent; i.e., proof of current registration by the American Dietetic Association.d. Adherence to established ethical professional standards (Chapter 4, Code of Ethics)2. Dietetic Technician a. Educational requirements i. Graduation from a dietetic technician program approved by the American Dietetic Association or its equivalent; a minimum of an associate degree from a regionally accredited college or university and a major course of study in dietetic technology, nutrition care, food service system management, human nutrition, food and nutrition, or dietetics or aii. Baccalaureate degree in food and nutrition from a U.S. regionally accredited college or university or its equivalent: a major course of study in human nutrition, food and nutrition dietetics or food systems management.iii. Applicants who have obtained their education outside of the United States and its territories must have their academic degree(s) validated as equivalent to the baccalaureate or masters degree conferred by regionally accredited colleges or universities in the United States. The board will accept equivalency validations from U.S. regionally accredited colleges or universities or board approved agencies specializing in educational credential evaluations.b. Experience Requirements i. The board will approve an appropriate successful work experience of 45 0 hours acquired in a period of not fewer than 2 months; andii. The experience will be acquired during or within 5 years of completion of the academic requirements and not more than 5 years before the date of licensure application; andiii. Experience must be observed, assessed and verified by a licensed dietitian, a dietitian licensed in another state that has licensure requirements determined by the Board to be equal to the requirements of PL 1987, ch. 313, Section 5, or a dietitian in another state without licensing who is registered by the American Dietetic Association.c. Examination Requirements - Successful completion of the examination given by the American Dietetic Association or equivalent: proof of current registration of the American Dietetic Association.d. Adherence to established ethical professional standards, as found in Chapter 4, Code of Ethics.C. Application 1. Initial application a. Application forms may be obtained from the Board Clerk of the Board of Licensing of Dietetic Practice.b. The application and all necessary supporting documents and fees must be filed with the Office of Licensing and Registration before any action can be taken.c. After all necessary supporting materials have been received, the Board will review the application.d. Acceptance of the application by the Board will result in the issuance of a license.2. Renewal a. All licenses expire on December 31 and must be renewed annually.b. An application for renewal will be sent to each licensee at least 30 days prior to expiration of the license. This information will be sent to the licensee's last known address. Licensees are responsible for informing the Board of any address change.c. Licensees who have not renewed their licenses within 90 days of the expiration date are then unlicensed and must re-apply as a new applicant as described in C (1) above and pay the appropriate fees. Continuation of practice without a license is a crime (32 MRSA, c. 105, § 9906). Cases of unlicensed practice reported to the Board will be referred to the Office of the Attorney General for action.d. Proof of continuing education must be received by September 1.3. Fees: a. A non-refundable application fee: $25.00b. Initial license fee: $140.00 ($70.00 if issued after July1)c. Licensure renewal fee: $140.00d. Late renewal fee additional: $10.00e. Temporary license fee: $100.00f. Reissuance of a license: $10.00g. Completion of a certification form or letter: $25.00 4. Out of state applicant a. Individuals licensed, certified or registered (without American Dietetic Association registration) in another state whose standards for registration, certification or licensure are equivalent to or greater than those established in 32 M.R.S.A. Sec.9907 and Board Rules should follow the same procedures outlined above and include a copy of their registration, certification or license as supporting documentation with their application.b. An original written verification of licensure is required from each state where the applicant holds or has held a registration, certification or licensure. The verification document must include the state board seal and be officially signed.c. Applicants who currently hold ADA (American Dietetic Association) registration in good standing will be eligible for consideration for licensure in the State of Maine.D. Temporary License 1. An applicant who has met all the qualifications for licensure except passing the examination may receive a temporary one year non-renewable license. A permanent license may be issued after the candidate has fulfilled the requirements for permanent licensure, to include submission of an application, verification of having passed the examination and payment of the application and licensing fees. The holder of a temporary license is not required to obtain a permanent license prior to the expiration of the temporary license.2. Under conditions of extreme hardship, the Board will review an application for renewal of temporary licensure. Requests must be submitted in writing to the Board 15 days before the temporary license expires.