Louisiana Board of Examiners in Dietetics and Nutrition
  18550 Highland Road, Suite B, Baton Rouge, LA 70809
  225.756.3490 phone / 225.756.3472 fax / admin@lbedn.org

A Consumer's Guide to Dietetics and Nutrition

What is the Louisiana Board of Examiners in Dietetics and Nutrition (LBEDN):

The Louisiana Board of Examiners in Dietetics and Nutrition (LBEDN) was created by the Louisiana Legislature to safeguard the public’s health, safety, and welfare.  It is one of the professional boards within the Department of Health and Hospitals.  The LBEDN is responsible for consumer protection through the regulation of dietetics/nutrition practice.  Individuals who seek the provisions of nutrition care services are entitled to receive quality care.  That is why our mission is to assure the consumer of qualified licensed professionals.  In pursuing our goal, we provide a process by which consumers may file complaints against our licensees or persons practicing dietetics/nutrition without a license.  

Who Can/Should File a Complaint? A complaint should be filed by anyone who believes that an individual has acted illegally, irresponsibly, or unprofessionally in providing care to a client.  The most effective complaints are those that contain firsthand, verifiable information.  The Board cannot act on anonymous complaints.  Therefore, all complaints must include a signature.

What Types of Complaints Does the LBEDN Handle? Complaints under the jurisdiction of the LBEDN include some of the following behavior:    

 What Types of Complaints are Outside the LBEDN Jurisdiction?

The LBEDN does not investigate fee or billing disputes, or personality conflicts.  The LBEDN does not have jurisdiction over persons who are licensed by other boards or those exempt under Section 3093 of the Practice Act.  These types of complaints will be referred to the appropriate agency, and the complainant will be notified.

 How Do I File a Complaint?

Your complaint must first be submitted in writing and signed before it can be processed.

Individuals who file complaints are notified in writing of the status of their complaint throughout the process.  When submitting a complaint, provide a statement, in your own words, which explains the nature of your complaint.  Include as much detail as possible, as well as copies of any documents you have, such as patient records, photographs, contracts, correspondence, etc., that can be used as evidence.  Don’t mail the originals.  Include dates, times and the type of service received wherever possible.  Do not worry about citing specific sections of the law you feel have been violated.

How are Complaints Processed? You will be notified that we have received your complaint within ten days of its arrival.  Complaints are reviewed by the LBEDN board at their next regularly scheduled meeting.  The board may dispose of the complaint informally through correspondence or conference or may forward the written complaint to a complaint investigation officer (CIO).  If forwarded to a CIO, the investigator may contact you during the course of the investigation.   While details of your complaint and the investigation are confidential and are not public record, they must be disclosed to the licensee at some point during the administrative process.

Referral to Attorney General. If the CIO recommends a formal disciplinary hearing and the board accepts the recommendation, the complaint is forwarded to the Attorney General who represents the State in the matter.

Consent Orders. The CIO may resolve a complaint through a consent order entered into by the licensee, the complainant and the board.  If the order contains any agreement by the licensee to some remedial course of action, agreement must be signed by the complainant, the licensee, and the board, and it becomes a matter of public record.

Formal Disciplinary Hearing. The licensee is notified 30 days in advance by certified mail of a disciplinary hearing along with a formal statement of the charges.  The letter of notice and the hearing, are governed by the Administrative Procedure Act (R.S. 49:955).The licensee is advised of the right to be represented by legal counsel and that a court reporter will be present to make an accurate recording of all testimony.  The burden of proof in a disciplinary hearing rests upon the Attorney General who brings the charges before the board.  Final decisions are matters of public record, and copies are available upon request.  The complainant is always mailed a copy of the LBEDN’s final decision.  The hearing process can take up to a year from the filing of the complaint to the date of the formal disciplinary hearing.

Disciplinary Options. The following options are available to the LBEDN:   Revocation of license   Suspension of license   Probation   Restriction of license   Censure   Reprimand   Restitution  The board will notify the professional community within 30 days of any disciplinary action, including the disciplined licensee’s name, location, offense and sanction imposed.  A notice of disciplinary action will also be published in the board’s newsletter.

Are LDNs Required to Report Unprofessional Conduct by Colleagues? The LDN Rules and Regulations mandate the licensee shall be responsible for reporting alleged misrepresentation or violation of the act or the board rules to the board.

Should Unlicensed Practice be Reported to the LBEDN? Yes.  If you have evidence that a person is practicing without a license, please notify the LBEDN in writing.  The board will investigate the allegations and, if sufficient evidence is found, will refer the matter to the local District Attorney for prosecution.   

This page last updated on January 30, 2007

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