HOLISTIC NUTRITION

"Let food be thy medicine, and medicine be thy food" ~ Hippocrates

What is a Certified Nutrition Specialist?

“The Certified Nutrition Specialist® (CNS®) is the most advanced credential for personalized nutrition practitioners. CNS’s are trained to practice science-based personalized nutrition therapy to provide health care to patients, clients, and communities. CNS’s focus on identifying and addressing root causes of medical conditions and diseases and moving patients toward optimal health.

The CNS credential demonstrates that certified individuals have the knowledge and proficiency required for advanced professional nutrition practice. The CNS certification program is administered by the Board for Certification of Nutrition SpecialistsSM (BCNSSM), a separate and independent credentialing organization affiliated with the American Nutrition Association® (ANA). The ANA is the professional association for the science and practice of personalized nutrition. The ANA envisions a society of healthy people, powered by nutrition, and champions the science and practice of personalized nutrition to move nutrition to the core of health care.”

training and objectives

The Goals of the Certified Nutrition Specialist®

Assess patients with a whole person approach to identify disease states, dietary habits, socioeconomic, and psychosocial barriers to optimum nutritional intake

Diagnose nutrition problems, etiology, signs, and symptoms

Initiate Interventions to address the root cause of the diagnosis

Monitor and Evaluate progress on goals and expected outcomes and adjust interventions as appropriate

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4 YearsThe length of time to complete a didactic program of dietetics (DPD), resulting in a Bachelor of Science in Human Nutrition

1200 HoursThe minimum number of practice hours in food system management, community nutrition, and clinical nutrition

75 HoursThe amount of continuing education that must be obtained every 5 years to stay up to date on current knowledge

Course of Study

Developmental Nutrition
Metabolism of Vitamins & Minerals
Micro/Macro Nutrients
Nutrition Assessment
Medical Nutrition Therapy and Applied Medical Nutrition Therapy
Endocrine System Therapeutics
Botanical Pharmacology
Biochemistry of Nutrition
Clinical Biochemistry
Medical Biochemistry
Anatomy and Physiology I, II, III
Pathophysiology
Health and Wellness Physiology I
Botany
Microbiology
Nutrition Science and Research
Organic/Inorganic Chemistry
Motivational Interviewing and Health Coaching
Psychology of Eating
Principles and Practices of Health Behavior and Self-Care
Foundations of Health Behavior and Health Education
Community Nutrition and Food Policy
Cultural Humility and Food Justice
Farm to Table and Food Systems
Culinary Nutrition and Skills

Additional Certifications Specific to Registered Dietitian-Nutritionists

Certified Diabetes Care and Education Specialist (CDCES)
International Board Certified Lactation Consultants (IBCLC)
Certified Nutrition Support Clinician (CNSC)
Certified Specialist in Oncology (CSO)
Certified Specialist in Obesity and Weight Management (CSOWM)
Certified Specialist in Sports Dietetics (CSSD)
Certified Eating Disorders Registered Dietitian (CEDRD)

Credentialing

Registered Dietitian-Nutritionists (RDNs) are held to the highest standards in our education of clinical nutrition.

RDNs must complete a 4-year didactic program of dietetics (DPD) resulting in a Bachelor of Science in Human Nutrition
RDNs must complete a yearlong Dietetic Internship consisting of a minimum 1200 practice hours in food system management, community nutrition, and clinical nutrition
As of 2024, all RDNs will be required to complete a Master of Science before being able to apply for a Dietetic Internship
RDNs must pass the Registered Dietitian Exam by the Commission on Dietetic Registration
Each state has different regulations to obtain state licensure, which must be maintained every year
RDNs must complete 75 hours of continued education every 5 years (15 hours per year)