Licence

An application for licence renewal thereof under Section 13 of the Act shall:

(a) be made on a form provided by The Council;

(b) have attached thereto a copy of a certificate of registration for Dietitian and Nutritionist

(c) be accompanied by the appropriate licence fee as set out in the First Schedule below.

Fees

First Schedule

Dietetics

Dietitians or Nutritionists

Dietary Technician

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION

Contact

THE HEALTH PROFESSIONS COUNCIL

P.O. Box N-7528

Delancey Street

Nassau, Bahamas

Tel: (242) 326-7740/326-0566

Fax: (242) 326-0537

Copies of The Health Professions Act, 1998

And H.P. Regulations, 2000

may be purchased from

Government Publications – Bay Street

Tel. (242) 322-2410

Scope of practice

Section 21

The practice of dietetics is the assessment of nutrition and nutritional conditions and the treatment and prevention of nutrition related disorders by nutritional means.

Authorized Health Services

Section 22

(1) In the course of engaging in the practice of dietetics as a dietitian or nutritionist a person may, subject to the terms, conditions and limitations imposed on his or her certificate of registration, perform the following-

(a) planning and regulating feeding according to nutritional needs and principles;

(b) the treatment and prevention of nutrition related disorders by nutritional means

(2) In the course of engaging in the practice of dietetics as a dietary technician a person may, subject to the terms, conditions and limitations imposed on his or her certificate of registration, engage in the history taking and reviewing of national practices under the direct supervision of a dietitian or nutritionist.

Qualifications for Registration

Section 23

(1) The qualifications for registration as a dietitian or nutritionist are that the person:

(a) holds a bachelors degree in dietetics or food and nutrition science from an accredited institution, has completed an accredited clinical internship program in the jurisdiction where the person obtained there degree and has passed a proficiency examination in the jurisdiction where the person obtained their degree that ensures that the person has the skills to be licenced or registered as a dietitian or nutritionist; or

(b) has qualifications that the Council considers equivalent to the degree referred to in subparagraph (a) together with at least one year’s internship as a dietitian or nutritionist in the jurisdiction where the person obtained their degree that ensures that the person has the skills to be licenced or registered as a dietitian or nutritionist.

(2) The qualifications for registration as a dietary technician are that the person-

(a) holds an Associate of Arts Degree in dietetics, food and nutrition science or food service management from an accredited institution or holds qualifications in nutrition or food management that the Council considers equivalent thereto; and

(b) has completed a twelve months internship as a dietetics technician in the jurisdiction where the person received the degree referred to in subparagraph (a); or

Registration

1. Under Section 12 of the Act, an application for registration as a health professional shall be accompanied by:

(a) evidence of qualification/successful completion of courses of study in that profession.

(b) (i) proof of citizenship in the Commonwealth of The Bahamas; or

(ii) a certificate of permanent resident status in the Commonwealth of The Bahamas that permits the person engage in gainful occupation; or

(iii) a valid work permit.

(c ) a statement by a licenced health professional that the applicant can read, write, speak and understand the English Language and is otherwise a fit an proper person to be registered as a health professional in the Commonwealth of The Bahamas.

2. A person who satisfies the Council that he/she is eligible to be registered, shall be registered upon submission of the appropriate registration fees as set out in the First Schedule below and upon payment of the said fee The Council shall issue a Certificate of Registration.