GA HB844

Repeals and reenacts Georgia's "Dietetics Practice Act" as the "Practice of Nutrition and Dietetics Act," creating two distinct license categories: licensed dietitian nutritionist and licensed nutritionist, each authorized to provide medical nutrition therapy.

Renames the Georgia Board of Examiners of Licensed Dietitians as the Georgia Board of Examiners of Licensed Dietitian Nutritionists and Licensed Nutritionists, consisting of 7 Governor-appointed members (5 licensed dietitian nutritionists, 1 licensed nutritionist, and 1 public member) serving 4-year terms.

Requires licensed dietitian nutritionist applicants to hold current registration as a registered dietitian nutritionist or to have completed a master's/doctoral degree, at least 1,000 hours of ACEND-accredited supervised practice, and passage of the Commission on Dietetic Registration examination.

Requires licensed nutritionist applicants to hold a master's/doctoral degree in a nutrition-related or clinical healthcare field (with specified coursework including 15 semester hours in clinical/life sciences and 15 in nutrition/metabolism), complete 1,000 hours of board-approved supervised practice, and pass the certified nutrition specialist examination or equivalent.

Establishes exemptions from licensure for supervisees in training, military dietitians, other licensed healthcare professionals practicing incidentally, persons providing general nonmedical nutrition information or wellness coaching, and health food store employees sharing nonindividualized nutrition information, while making unauthorized use of protected titles a misdemeanor with fines up to $500 per violation.