West Virginia Code of State Rules Agency 31 - Dietitians
📘 West Virginia Code of State Rules — Agency 31: Dietitians
Agency 31 governs the licensure, practice, ethics, and continuing education of dietitians in West Virginia. It is issued by the West Virginia Board of Licensed Dietitians and includes several series addressing different areas of regulation.
Series 31‑01 — Licensure and Renewal Requirements
This series regulates how dietitians obtain and maintain their license:
Definitions: Clarifies terms like “license,” “practice,” and “supervised practice.”
Board Approval: The Board reviews applications and sets standards for licensure.
Licensure Qualifications: Requires specific education, supervised practice, and passing a national dietitian examination.
Provisional Permits: Individuals who have completed education and supervised practice but not yet passed the exam may receive a provisional permit, typically for one year (renewable up to three years).
Renewal and Reinstatement: Outlines how to renew or reinstate a license and maintain good standing.
Causes for Denial or Discipline: The Board can deny, suspend, or revoke a license for fraud, incompetence, unprofessional conduct, substance abuse, violation of confidentiality, deceptive advertising, or other violations. Appeals procedures are included.
Series 31‑02 — Code of Professional Ethics
This series sets the ethical standards for dietitians:
Provide services with objectivity and respect for client needs.
Avoid discrimination in professional practice.
Represent qualifications accurately; only certify services they have provided or supervised.
Maintain professional integrity and avoid conflicts of interest.
Base nutrition services on scientific principles and public health standards.
It also defines the scope of practice, including nutrition counseling, nutritional assessment, and nutrition therapy.
Series 31‑03 — Contested Case Hearing Procedure
This series governs how the Board handles formal hearings:
Complaints against dietitians are investigated.
Cases are heard according to administrative hearing standards.
Rules cover procedural fairness, evidence, representation, and record‑keeping.
Series 31‑04 — Disciplinary and Complaint Procedures
This series explains how complaints are processed and adjudicated:
Complaints can be filed by the public, employers, or the Board itself.
Investigations follow defined protocols and timelines.
Possible sanctions include reprimand, probation, suspension, or revocation of license.
Series 31‑05 — Continuing Professional Education (CPE)
This series sets requirements for continuing education:
Defines who must complete CPE and minimum hours.
Establishes approved course providers and acceptable content.
Applies to both newly licensed and existing licensees.
Series 31‑06 — Waiver of Initial Licensing Fees
Allows the Board to waive licensing fees under certain circumstances.
Designed to reduce barriers for qualified applicants with specific personal or professional situations.
Series 31‑07 — Telehealth Practice Requirements
Telehealth services must meet the same professional standards as in-person care.
Informed consent, documentation, identity verification, and confidentiality are required.
Dietitians must be licensed and in good standing in West Virginia to provide telehealth to clients located in the state.
Summary
The West Virginia Code of State Rules — Agency 31 establishes a comprehensive framework for dietitians, covering:
Licensure and renewals
Ethical standards and professional conduct
Complaint, disciplinary, and hearing procedures
Continuing education requirements
Telehealth practice standards
These rules ensure that dietitians meet educational, professional, and ethical standards, protecting the public and maintaining professional integrity in West Virginia.
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