NTP Scope of Practice

A Nutritional Therapy Practitioner (“NTP”) is a professional educated by the Nutritional Therapy Association, Inc. NTPs are trained to evaluate a client’s nutritional needs and make bio-individual recommendations or provide follow-up support for dietary changes, lifestyle choices, and nutritional supplementation based on the following:  

• Client Interview  
• Analysis of Client’s Food Journal 
• Nutritional Assessment Questionnaire  

All advice and support recommendations made by an NTP should be based on evidence-based, scientific information. An NTP is not trained to provide medical nutrition therapy. An NTP may not diagnose, treat, prevent, prescribe, or cure any pathological condition, illness, or disease. No recommendation or comment made by an NTP should be construed as medical advice or a diagnosis. An NTP may not state nor imply that they are licensed or certified by the state. When an NTP completes their program, they earn the right to use the designated title of Nutritional Therapy Practitioner or NTP. An NTP must adhere to the laws in their state, which govern the appropriate use of other titles that may be applicable to their field and services offered.  

Practitioners should be knowledgeable of the right to practice nutritional therapy in their state of residence as defined by the laws of their state. Please visit the Council for Holistic Health Educators for more information on the laws of your state.  

Roles performed by Nutritional Therapy Practitioners

The role of an NTP is to provide non-biased health and nutrition information to friends, neighbors, associates, and the community. NTPs utilize client interviews, intake assessments and food and mood journals to provide bio-individual nutrition, lifestyle and supplement recommendations to help their clients achieve optimal health outcomes. NTPs are wellness champions in their community that empower clients with the knowledge, resources, and support necessary to reclaim health. In order to utilize this credential, a practitioner must abide by this scope of practice and the relevant state or federal laws and regulations in their region.   

NTPs Don’t:  

• Practice Medical Nutrition Therapy (MNT)  
• Do not work outside of their Scope of Practice  
• Diagnose and treat disease  
• Make unproven health claims  
• Misrepresent training and title   
• Use unproven devices, assessments or therapies  
• Use network marketing or product sales in lieu of individual client education.  

NTPs Do:  

• Evaluate a client’s intake information in relation to their health goals to provide customized recommendations that include food, lifestyle habits, and supplements   
• Promote nutrient dense foods with an emphasis on variety and balance   
• Focus on the Foundations of Nutrition to optimize the body’s balance and function    
• Encourage people to develop lifestyle habits that help them thrive   
• Leverage insights from traditional wisdom, clinical experience, and scientific research to teach people about the importance of our food and ways we can optimize our nutrition  
• Educate clients on direct-to-consumer health tools, including but not limited to, lab testing, functional health assessments, wearable health monitoring devices and other direct– to– consumer tools for optimizing health and wellness  
• Refer clients to licensed medical professionals if the client requires medical or mental health interventions  

Distinguishing Features of Nutritional Therapy Practitioners:  

• Food-first approach with a holistic lens   
• Honors bio-individuality through a whole-person perspective   
• Emphasis on client education and empowerment   
• Client-focused, not method or product-based  
• Refers to and collaborates with licensed medical professionals for medical and mental health conditions  
• Upholds Practitioner Scope of Practice   

NTP Scope of Practice Violations

In the event a violation of scope of practice is reported to the NTA, our Academic Council will conduct an investigation to include the following steps: 

• A conversation with the reporter will be held, along with a collection of any evidence they have to support their claims. Their identity will be kept confidential whenever possible. 
• A review will be conducted of any public facing content associated with the NTP in question as relevant to the nature of the complaint, including but not limited to their website, social media content, and professional listings. 
• A conversation with the NTP in question will be held to notify them of the complaint, share any findings we have from our initial investigation, and, depending on the nature of the reported violation, we may ask the NTP to provide us with any documentation or information they have about the reported event/action. 
• Details of the complaint and resulting conversations will be documented in the NTP’s record within NTA’s database. 
• After assessing all available information, the Academic Council will determine if any action is required and will notify the NTP of any needed changes or resulting consequences. 

If the incident involves direct harm to an individual with documented proof, the first violation can result in a revocation of certification from the NTA. 

For all other first offenses found to be valid, the NTA will issue a written warning to the NTP and provide guidance to ensure scope of practice is upheld moving forward. 

If a second violation is reported and found to be valid, the NTP will placed on probationary terms to be determined based on the nature of the violation. 

In the event a third violation is reported and found to be valid, the NTA may revoke the NTP’s credential and they will no longer be certified to practice. 

If you need to report a violation you have witnessed or experienced, follow the steps below: 

• Gather the documentation/evidence you have to substantiate your claim. The NTA cannot properly investigate any report that is not sufficiently supported with evidence. 
• Write an account of your concern and attach supporting documentation to nta@nutritionaltherapy.com, being sure to name the (F)NTP and your specific concerns related to a scope of practice or code of ethics violation. 

The report will be provided to the members of the Academic Council and the outlined investigative process with ensue.