Professional Practice, Ethics, and Scope of Practice
Professional Practice, Ethics, and Scope of Practice
This domain tests professional boundaries, informed consent, confidentiality, referral, and evidence-based practice. The exam expects you to know what a sports nutrition professional can and cannot do.
Core rules
- Stay within scope: do not diagnose, treat, or prescribe for medical conditions; refer to a physician or registered dietitian when needed.
- Obtain informed consent before assessment and explain how data will be used.
- Keep records confidential and secure; share only with permission or as required by law.
- Avoid guarantees of performance or body composition outcomes.
- Disclose conflicts of interest, including supplement sponsorships.
- Use current evidence and be transparent about uncertainty.
- Respect cultural, religious, and ethical food practices.
Worked example
A client reports fatigue and wants iron supplements. You note pallor and heavy training, but you do not prescribe iron. You explain that iron deficiency requires medical testing, refer to a physician or registered dietitian, and discuss iron-rich foods and vitamin C pairing within your scope. Reasoning: suspected deficiency is a clinical issue; food education is within scope, but diagnosis and supplementation are not.
Traps
Prescribing supplements to treat disease; giving individualized medical advice on social media; promising “guaranteed” results; and ignoring scope creep when a client asks for a meal plan for a medical condition.