Section 209 Unlicensed practice as dietitian/nutritionist; criminal liability; punishment; restriction of civil actions - Massachusetts Statutes

Section 209. (1) Any person acting or purporting to act as a licensed dietitian/nutritionist without first obtaining a license to practice under this chapter shall be guilty of a misdemeanor and upon conviction shall be punished by a fine of not more than $5,000 or by imprisonment for a term not to exceed one year or both.

Upon conviction of a subsequent violation, such person shall be punished by a fine of not more than $10,000 or two years imprisonment or both.

(2) A person who receives any money or the equivalent thereof as a fee, commission, compensation or profit by, or in the consequence of a violation of any provision of this chapter, shall, in addition to any other penalty, be liable for a fine of not less than the sum of the money so received and not more than three times the sum so received as may be determined by the board.

(3) No action or suit shall be instituted nor recovery had, in any court of the commonwealth by any person for compensation for any act done or service rendered as a licensed dietitian/nutritionist, unless such person held a valid current license under this chapter at the time of offering to perform such act or service.