SECTION 116.105. Code of Ethics

(a) Professional representation and responsibilities.

(1) A licensee shall act with honesty, integrity, and fairness.

(2) A licensee shall not misrepresent any professional qualifications or credentials. A licensee shall not make any false or misleading claims about the efficacy of any nutrition services or dietary supplements.

(3) A licensee shall not permit the use of the licensee's name for the purpose of certifying that nutrition services have been rendered unless that licensee has provided or supervised the provision of those services.

(4) A licensee shall not promote or endorse products in a manner that is false or misleading.

(5) A licensee shall disclose to a client, a person supervised by the licensee, or an associate any personal gain or profit from any item, procedure, or service used by the licensee with the client, supervisee, or associate.

(6) A licensee shall maintain knowledge and skills required for professional competence. A licensee shall provide nutrition services based on scientific principles and current information. A licensee shall present substantiated information and interpret controversial information without bias.

(7) A licensee shall not abuse alcohol or drugs in any manner which detrimentally affects the provision of nutrition services.

(8) A licensee shall comply with the provisions of the Texas Controlled Substances Act, Health and Safety Code, Chapter 481; the Texas Dangerous Drug Act, Health and Safety Code, Chapter 483; and any rules of the Department of State Health Services or the Texas State Board of Pharmacy implementing those chapters.

(9) A licensee shall have the responsibility of reporting alleged misrepresentations or violations of commission rules to the department.

(10) A licensee shall comply with any order relating to the licensee which is issued by the commission or the executive director.

(11) A licensee shall not aid or abet the practice or misrepresentation of an unlicensed person when that person is required to have a license under the Act.

(12) A licensee shall not make any false, misleading, or deceptive claims in any advertisement, announcement, or presentation relating to the services of the licensee, any person supervised by the licensee or any dietary supplement.

(13) A licensee shall conform to generally accepted principles and standards of dietetic practice which are those generally recognized by the profession as appropriate for the situation presented, including those promulgated or interpreted by or under the Academy or Commission on Dietetic Registration, and other professional or governmental bodies. A licensee shall recognize and exercise professional judgment within the limits of the licensee's qualifications and collaborate with others, seek counsel, or make referrals as appropriate.

(14) A licensee shall not interfere with an investigation or disciplinary proceeding by willful misrepresentation of facts to the department or its authorized representative or by the use of threats or harassment against any person.

(15) A licensee shall report information if required by the following statutes:

(A) Texas Family Code, Chapter 261, concerning abuse or neglect of minors; or

(B) Texas Human Resources Code, Chapter 48, concerning abuse, neglect, or exploitation of elderly persons or persons with disabilities.

(b) Professional relationships.

(1) A licensee shall make known to a prospective client the important aspects of the professional relationship including fees and arrangements for payment which might affect the client's decision to enter into the relationship. A licensee shall bill a client or a third party in the manner agreed to by the licensee and in accordance with state and federal law.

(2) A licensee shall not receive or give a commission or rebate or any other form of remuneration for the referral of clients for professional services.

(3) A licensee shall disclose to clients any interest in commercial enterprises which the licensee promotes for the purpose of personal gain or profit.

(4) A licensee shall take reasonable action to inform a client's physician and any appropriate allied health care provider in cases where a client's nutritional status indicates a change in medical status.

(5) A licensee shall provide nutrition services without discrimination based on race, creed, gender, religion, national origin, or age.

(6) A licensee shall not violate any provision of any federal or state statute relating to confidentiality of client communication and/or records. A licensee shall protect confidential information and make full disclosure about any limitations on the licensee's ability to guarantee full confidentiality.

(7) A licensee shall not engage in sexual contact with a client. The term "sexual contact" means any type of sexual behavior described in the Texas Penal Code, §21.01, and includes sexual intercourse. A licensee shall not engage in sexual harassment in connection with professional practice.

(8) A licensee shall terminate a professional relationship when it is reasonably clear that the client is not benefiting from the services provided.

(9) A licensee shall not provide services to a client or the public if by reason of any mental or physical condition of the licensee, the services cannot be provided with reasonable skill or safety to the client or the public.

(10) A licensee shall not provide any services which result in mental or physical injury to a client or which create an unreasonable risk that the client may be mentally or physically harmed.

(11) A licensee shall provide sufficient information to enable clients and others to make their own informed decision regarding nutritional services.

(12) A licensee shall be alert to situations that might cause a conflict of interest or have the appearance of a conflict. A licensee shall make full disclosure when a real or potential conflict of interest arises.

(c) On the written request of a client, a client's guardian, or a client's parent, if the client is a minor, a licensee shall provide, in plain language, a written explanation of the charges for client nutrition services previously made on a bill or statement for the client. This requirement applies even if the charges are to be paid by a third party.

(d) A licensee may not persistently or flagrantly overcharge or overtreat a client.

(e) A licensee shall be subject to disciplinary action by the commission or department if the licensee is issued a public letter of reprimand, is assessed a civil penalty by a court, or has been convicted and ordered to pay court costs under the Crime Victims Compensation Act, Texas Code of Criminal Procedure, Chapter 56, Subchapter B (effective until January 1, 2021) and Chapter 56B (effective on January 1, 2021).

(f) A violation of any provision of this section by a person who is an applicant or who subsequently applies for a license (even though the person was not a licensee at the time of the violation) may be a basis for disapproval of the application.

Source Note: The provisions of this §116.105 adopted to be effective October 1, 2016, 41 TexReg 4481; amended to be effective July 1, 2018, 43 TexReg 4173; amended to be effective August 1, 2020, 45 TexReg 5185