Section 20.5-02-02-01 - Code of ethics A licensee shall comply with the following code of ethics in the licensee's professional practice and conduct. The code reflects the ethical principles of the dietetic and nutrition profession and outlines obligations of the licensee to self, client, society, and the profession and sets forth mandatory standards of conduct for all licensees.
1. The licensee shall provide professional services with objectivity and with respect for the unique needs and values of individuals as determined through the nutritional assessment.2. The licensee shall conduct all practices of dietetics or nutrition with honesty and integrity.3. The licensee shall present substantiated information and interpret controversial information without personal bias, recognizing that legitimate differences of opinion exist.4. The licensee shall practice dietetics or nutrition based on scientific principles and current information.5. The licensee shall assume responsibility and accountability for personal competence in practice.6. The licensee shall inform the public of the licensee's services by using factual information and may not advertise in a false or misleading manner.7. The licensee may not exercise undue influence on a client, including the promotion or the sale of services or products. The licensee shall be alert to any conflicts of interest and shall provide full disclosure when a real or potential conflict of interest arises.8. The licensee may not reveal information about a client obtained in a professional capacity, without prior consent of the client, except as authorized or required by law and shall make full disclosure about any limitations on the licensee's ability to guarantee this.9. The licensee shall recognize and exercise professional judgment within the limits of the licensee's qualifications and may not accept or perform professional responsibilities which the licensee knows or has reason to know that the licensee is not qualified to perform.10. The licensee shall take action, with prior consent of the client, to inform a client's physician or other health care practitioner in cases where a client's nutritional status indicates a change in health status.11. The licensee shall give sufficient information based on the client's ability to process information such that the client can make the client's own informed decisions. The licensee may not guarantee that nutrition care services will cause any certain outcome or particular result for the client.12. The licensee shall permit use of that licensee's name for the purpose of certifying that dietetic or nutrition services have been rendered only if the licensee has provided or supervised those services.13. The licensee shall demonstrate professionalism and respect in all communication, including social media.N.D. Admin Code 20.5-02-02-01
Effective December 1, 1986; amended effective October 1, 2000.Amended by Administrative Rules Supplement 2022-385, July 2022, effective 7/1/2022.General Authority: NDCC 43-44-03
Law Implemented: NDCC 43-44-03