CNS Certified Nutrition Specialist Exam

Welcome to the CNS Certified Nutrition Specialist practice exam!

The CNS Certified Nutrition Specialist exam is designed for health and nutrition professionals looking to demonstrate in-depth expertise in evidence-based nutrition science and practices. This test is administered by the Credentialing Board for Certification of Nutrition Specialists (BCNS) and those individuals who educate, coach, or actively develop personalized nutrition guidance, interventions, or initiatives will benefit most from passing this exam and earning this respected CNS designation. Obtaining the CNS certification conveys mastery and qualifications to effectively integrate, communicate and apply clinical nutrition principles in professional practice.

Typical roles suited for the CNS credential include:

* Registered Dietitians
* Nutrition Educators & Communicators
* Health Coaches
* Care coordinators integrating nutrition
* Clinicians advising on therapeutic diets
* Academics teaching nutrition science
* Researchers studying diet and health

The exam is 3 hours long and consists of 240 multiple-choice questions. The passing score is 70%.

Topics include:
* Professional Practice
* Nutrition Science
* Nutrition Research
* Life Cycle Nutrition
* Food Science and Safety
* Counseling Methods
* Complementary Nutrition
* Clinical Nutrition

What's the difference between a Certified Nutrition Specialist and a Dietician?

A Certified Nutrition Specialist (CNS) and a Registered Dietitian (RD) are both nutrition professionals, but they have different educational backgrounds, training, and scope of practice.

Certified Nutrition Specialist (CNS):

• A CNS is a nutritionist who has earned an advanced degree (master's or doctoral) in nutrition or a related field from an accredited university.
• CNSs must complete a minimum of 1,000 hours of supervised practice experience and pass the Certification Board for Nutrition Specialists (CBNS) examination.
• They have a strong foundation in nutrition science and are trained to assess and optimize nutritional status, develop personalized nutrition plans, and provide nutrition counseling for various health conditions.
• CNSs may work in private practice, integrative healthcare settings, research, or education.
• In some states, CNSs may have a more limited scope of practice compared to RDs, depending on state licensure laws.

Registered Dietitian (RD):

• An RD is a food and nutrition expert who has completed a bachelor's degree in dietetics, nutrition, or a related field from an accredited university, followed by a supervised practice program (dietetic internship) and passing a national examination administered by the Commission on Dietetic Registration (CDR).
• RDs are trained to provide medical nutrition therapy (MNT), which involves evidence-based nutrition assessment, diagnosis, and treatment of various health conditions.
• They work in a variety of settings, including hospitals, clinics, long-term care facilities, schools, sports teams, and private practice.
• RDs are often involved in food service management, community nutrition, and public health programs.
• In most states, RDs are licensed or certified and have a more extensive scope of practice than CNSs.

While both CNSs and RDs are nutrition professionals, RDs have a more standardized educational and training path, a broader scope of practice, and are more widely recognized in the healthcare industry. CNSs, on the other hand, often have more advanced degrees and may specialize in specific areas of nutrition science or integrative health approaches.

Why should I become a CNS? 
This kind of advanced training gives a person the chance to make meaningful, sustainable, and evidence-informed impacts on the health and lives of individuals, families, and communities. Your training and knowledge prove your expertise, boost your credibility as a practitioner of nutrition and dietary science, and enhances your career opportunities within a range of industries, including health care, government, business, and education.

What Does a Certified Nutrition Specialist Do?
Certified Nutrition Specialists work and make an impact in a variety of settings, including government and social service agencies, food services, hospitals, private practices, rehabilitation centers, nursing homes, schools, and outpatient clinics. Plus, the job and career opportunities for nutrition specialists continue to expand.

Typically, certified nutrition specialists will:

• Help individuals reach health goals or manage chronic diseases by designing and implementing personalized meal and food plans
• May recommend targeted nutritional and herbal supplements
• Can interpret laboratory testing
• Monitor the progress of their clients and provide ongoing feedback and support
• Provide nutrition education based on the latest research and scientific evidence
• Play an important role in a health care team

How Much Does a Certified Nutrition Specialist Make?
Since Certified Nutrition Specialists come from so many professional backgrounds and can work in a variety of settings and locations, the expected salary range can vary greatly. Typical salaries range from $58,000 to $80,000 per year or more for positions within outpatient care centers, insurance companies, home health, the federal government, and education. CNSs who also hold other advanced degrees, including DDS, DO, MD, NP, and PA, may earn as much as $120,000 per year or more.

Are There Any Prerequisites to Becoming a Certified Nutrition Specialist?
According to the American Nutrition Association, there are a variety of prerequisites to becoming a CNS. These include:

Degrees: candidates must hold a Masters or doctoral degree in Nutrition or other fields of clinical health care (including DC, DDS, APRN, ND, PA, PharmD, or OD) from an accredited institution; an MD or DO are also acceptable

Coursework: specific coursework must be completed in topics such as nutrition, biochemistry, behavioral science, and anatomy and physiology; alternatively, a candidate can earn a degree from an ACNPE-accredited program

Experience: this can include a minimum of 1,000 hours of supervised practice experience with a Board of Certified Nutrition Specialists-approved supervisor as well as internships and personalized nutrition case studies, depending on the individual’s background. Once these prerequisites are fulfilled, hopeful applicants can take the CNS exam.