To qualify as a licensed dietitian or nutritionist, an applicant must:

(1) Be 19 years of age or older.

(2) Submit evidence of good moral character and respectability.

(3) File a written application on a form provided by the board.

(4) Have satisfactorily completed appropriate academic requirements with a major course of study in human nutrition, foods and nutrition, dietetics, or food systems management, and have received a baccalaureate or higher degree from a college or university accredited by the Southern Association of Schools and Colleges or other regional accreditation agency. An applicant who has received his/her education outside the United States or its territories must have the academic degree(s) validated as equivalent to the baccalaureate or master's degree conferred by a college or university in the United States that is accredited by the Southern Association of Schools and Colleges or other regional accreditation agency.

(5) Or in lieu of subdivision (4) of this section, have received a master's or doctorate degree in human nutrition, nutrition education, foods and nutrition as defined by the board, or a related field from a college or university accredited by the Southern Association of Schools and Colleges or other regional accrediting agency.

(6) Have satisfactorily completed a planned, continuous preprofessional experience component in dietetics/nutrition practices of not less than 900 hours under the supervision of a registered dietitian or a practitioner licensed under the conditions of this chapter.

(7) Pass an examination propounded under the auspices of the Commission on Dietetic Registration.

(8) Applicants who provide evidence of current registration as a registered dietitian by the Commission on Dietetic Registration shall be considered to have met the requirements of subdivisions (4) or (5), and (6) and (7) of this section.

(9) Pay fees prescribed by the board.