Registration Renewal
Restricted Activities
Jurisprudence
Bill 21 Mandatory Training
Liability Insurance
Regulated Member Resources

Professional Liability Insurance

College policy states, all practicing registrants must obtain and maintain their own Professional Liability Insurance (PLI), also known as errors and omissions insurance, for their professional capacity as a Registered Dietitian or Registered Nutritionist. The PLI policy must meet the following requirements:

  • must either be occurrence based (provides coverage based on when the incident occurred, regardless of when the claim is filed) or be claims based (provides coverage only if the claim is filed during the policy period) with an extended reporting period of a minimum of two (2) years purchased.
  • must be a minimum of $2,000,000 (two million dollars) per occurrence/claim.
  • must be held personally by the registrant, with the name of the insured and the registrant being the same. Employer provided coverage is not acceptable.
  • must carry the insurance throughout the registration year and the registrant must notify the College of any change to professional liability insurance coverage.

All fees or costs for obtaining and maintaining professional liability insurance are the responsibility of the registrant.

Under the Health Professions Act and College Bylaws, regulated members (excluding non-practicing members) must submit proof of continuous professional liability insurance coverage to the College upon request.

 

Liability insurance has two purposes:

Protecting the Public

Professional liability insurance provides financial compensation for the public in the event of damage caused by a Registered Dietitian (RD) or Registered Nutritionist. Clients need to know they have recourse in the event of harm. Knowing that they can access a professional’s insurance, by way of a claim or lawsuit against a professional’s liability insurance, provides them with a sense of security when they seek treatment.

Protecting the Practitioner

Professional liability insurance protects regulated members from having to pay personally for any harm that clients suffer because of the RD’s conduct. If the regulated member does not have insurance and is successfully sued for negligence, they will be personally liable for any damages awarded to the client. Even in cases where the RD is found not to have been negligent, they will still have to finance the cost of defense. Funding the defense is something else that professional liability insurance will cover.

Frequently Asked Questions about Professional Liability Insurance

Where can Registered Dietitians purchase liability insurance?

Many insurance companies offer professional liability insurance coverage. When seeking coverage, be sure that you are covered to include the minimum requirements listed above. The following is provided by the College for general information only.

The following is a list of providers to consider. We do not endorse any providers, and the list is not exhaustive.

It is important for the regulated member to ask questions of the insurance provider to ensure policy requirements are being met and to understand what you are being covered for.

Who requires Professional Liability Insurance?

Any regulated member of the College, who is practicing, is required to hold professional liability insurance coverage. If you are a non-practicing member (ie. on parental or medical leave, not in practice), you are not required to hold PLI while non-practicing but would be required to hold coverage when resuming practice.

Why do regulated members need Errors & Omissions Insurance?

Errors and Omissions (E&O), also known as professional liability or malpractice insurance in the health industry, covers liability arising out of negligent acts in rendering, or failing to render, professional services. Professionals are defined as people with special skills, knowledge, or experience. Registered health providers are considered professionals. Other professionals would be lawyers, accountants, engineers, technologists, or architects. If one provides a service or advice based on these special skills, knowledge, or education, then one has exposure to errors and omissions. If one does not have E&O insurance, the defense and settlement costs could bankrupt an individual. The most obvious reason for carrying E&O insurance is to cover the costs associated with legal proceedings and legal representation arising from complaints brought against the individual.

Many health workers are covered under their employer’s insurance. Why do they need their own?

Effective April 1, 2025, all regulated members of the College will be required to carry third-party Professional Liability Insurance of at least $2 million per occurrence, regardless of the fact they may also have employer-provided coverage.

Registered health practitioners often work as employees within the confines of their employer’s property and hours of operation. Some dietitians may work as a contractor and not as an employee, and they may or may not be covered depending on the company’s errors & omissions policy. Additionally, some dietitians also consult, volunteer, or counsel others on nutrition outside of their job, including giving gratis advice, thereby exposing themselves to possible legal action or a complaint. In all these cases, an RD should protect themself and their clients with liability insurance. There is very little preventing someone from seeking legal advice or filing a lawsuit or complaint against a professional and it is important for the public and the professional that registered health practitioners carry insurance.

What is Commercial General Liability insurance?

Commonly thought of as the “slip and fall” coverage, Commercial General Liability (CGL) insurance insures a business against accidents and injury that might happen on or away from its premises, as well as certain exposures relating to the carrying out of its business operations. Even if a dietitian’s clients do not visit the premises, this coverage follows the RD and their employees wherever they conduct business. CGL insurance is not mandatory for regulated members.

Liability Insurance