📖Licensure vs. Credentialing
👉 This section covers:
Licensure
Licensure = legal permission to practice nutrition care in a state.
Determined by where the patient is physically located during the session, not their home address.
If the state requires licensure, you must have that state’s license to see the patient, even if you are credentialed with their insurance.
Group practice owners’ licenses do not cover other providers — licensure is tied to the individual delivering care.
State Types
Licensure States – Must have a license to see patients.
Non-Licensure / Open States – No license required for practice.
Examples:
Non-Licensure: AZ, CA, CO, NJ, MI, VA
Licensure but Telehealth-Open: CT, MA, NY, TX
Credentialing
Credentialing = insurance approval to bill for services in a state. You can only be credentialed in a state if licensed there (if licensure is required).
RDNs – Can be credentialed in non-licensure states without a license.
CNSs – Usually must be licensed to be credentialed, even in non-licensure states (payers follow licensure rules more closely).
How They Work Together
Licensure = legal authority to provide care.
Credentialing = payer permission to bill insurance.
You can be licensed but not credentialed (and vice versa in some non-licensure states, depending on payer rules).
Common Scenarios
Patient moves to a licensure state where you’re not licensed
You cannot continue care until licensed there.
May apply for license via Berry Street’s Licensure Reimbursement Program.
Patient travels short-term to a licensure state where you’re not licensed
Cannot see them while they are physically in that state.
Please note: this is low risk, but still technically not permitted. If a patient is traveling and wants to meet, email [email protected] for case-by-case guidance.
Group practice – owner licensed, rendering provider not licensed
The rendering provider must have the license in the patient’s location to see them — group owner’s license doesn’t apply.
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