What is a Certified Nutrition Specialist (CNS)?
Transforming Nutrition Care.
The Certified Nutrition Specialist credential is the most advanced certification for personalized nutrition practitioners. They focus on scientific evidenced-based care to empower all people. These specialists are spearheading the paradigm shift, transforming population-based nutrition to personalized nutrition, and from disease care to health promotion. CNS practitioners focus on getting to the root cause of dysfunction, not merely symptom management.
What is Personalized Nutrition? This field considers the unique biology of each individual, creating a person-centered approach to nutrition, science, education, and clinical practice.
How is a CNS different than I dietician (RD)? A CNS credential is given at the Masters or Doctoral level of education, whereas most dietetics programs start at the Bachelors level (as of 2024, now Masters level). The CNS candidate demonstrates experience in personalized nutrition and medical nutrition therapy while undergoing 1,000 hours of Supervised Practice Experience focused in assessment, intervention, education, monitoring, and evaluation. The RD undergoes 900-1,200 hours of experiences in dietetics, food service management, and nutrition care for groups and individuals. The CNS candidate must pass an advanced test (at the masters/doctoral level) that covers topics such as: fundamentals of nutrition, nutrients and human health, medical nutrition therapy, biochemistry, clinical intervention, public health, and practice management. The RD test is at a basic level (bachelors) and covers dietetics, nutrition care for groups/individuals, food management programs and service, and food service systems. RDs may also practice medical nutrition therapy, and some may become specialists with further education. CNS nutritionists often work in private or group practices, public health, academia, hospitals, or specialized health clinics. RDs may also do the same, as well as working in schools or corporate cafeterias.
Simply, a Certified Nutrition Specialist is:
the most advanced personalized nutrition professional
licensed to practice in their state
the most sought-after nutrition professional across academia, medicine, private practice, and in the government
supported by the American Nutrition Association
skilled in assessment, intervention, education, monitoring, and evaluation of clients