Question & AnswerQ&A (Republic Act No. 10862)
Republic Act No. 10862 is known as the "Nutrition and Dietetics Law of 2016."
The objectives include: (a) standardization and regulation of nutrition and dietetics education; (b) examination, registration and licensure of nutritionist-dietitians; (c) standardization, supervision, control, and regulation of the practice of nutrition and dietetics; (d) development of professional competence of nutritionist-dietitians through continuing professional development (CPD); and (e) integration of the nutrition-dietetics profession.
A Nutritionist-Dietitian is defined as a registered and licensed person who holds a valid certificate of registration and a valid professional identification card issued by the Professional Regulatory Board of Nutrition and Dietetics and the Professional Regulation Commission pursuant to this Act.
The Professional Regulatory Board of Nutrition and Dietetics (referred to as the Board) is created under the administrative supervision and control of the Professional Regulation Commission (PRC).
They must be Filipino citizens; at least 35 years old; of good moral character; not convicted of an offense involving moral turpitude; holders of a post-graduate degree in nutrition and dietetics or related field; have at least five years of continuous practice of the profession; members in good standing of the AIPO; not faculty of any school offering nutrition and dietetics; not connected with review schools; and not officers of the AIPO.
The subjects include: (a) Nutrition and Dietetics; (b) Foods and Food Service Systems; and (c) Community and Applied Nutrition. The Board may revise or add subjects as necessary.
A candidate must obtain a general or weighted average rating of seventy-five percent (75%), with no rating below fifty percent (50%) in any subject.
Grounds include violation of the Act or its regulations, conviction of an offense involving moral turpitude, fraud in obtaining certification, gross negligence causing harm, failure to pay registration fees for five consecutive years, aiding illegal practice, practicing during suspension, and drug or alcohol abuse impairing professional ability.
Only duly registered and licensed nutritionist-dietitians holding valid certificates of registration and professional identification cards issued by the Board and Commission, and foreign-licensed nutritionist-dietitians with valid special/temporary permits are authorized to practice.
Any person who practices or uses the title "Nutritionist-Dietitian" without valid registration is subject to a fine of not less than three hundred thousand pesos (P300,000.00) and/or imprisonment of not less than six months, at the discretion of the court.