1-800-460-6276 EXTENDED HOURS (MST): 7/28: 6AM-8PM, 7/29: 6AM-9PM, 7/30: 6AM-8PM, 7/31: 6AM-8PM
  • Get Prequalified
    No-interest Payment Plans
    No Credit Check. No Fees.
  • 1,300,000
    Fitness Professionals
    Educated
  • 80+
    Countries around the globe
    with NASM Trainers
  • 10,000+
    Gym and Health Club
    Partnerships

Certified Nutrition Coach (NASM-CNC)

Help create lasting change in your clients’ dietary and nutrition habits.

SHOP NOW

Play Video

certification icon

$53 /month $25 down + 11 interest-free payments. 0% interest, no fees, penalties or credit check!

a thin line or a thin line

$899

 

SHOP NOW

 
% Claimed
 

Course Highlights

  • 24 In-Depth Chapters
  • 40+ High-End Lecture Videos
  • 200+ Downloadable Handouts & Infographics
  • 1 Year to Complete the Final Exam
  • Complete in as few as 4 weeks
  • Specialization Certificate Upon Completion
  • 100% Online; Access on All Devices
  • High-End, Easy-to-Use Digital Portal
trianglePlay Video

Certified Nutrition Coach

$899

SHOP NOW
 

What You’ll Learn

Women making smoothie

Living healthy isn’t just about physical activity. It’s also about what we put in our bodies to fuel them. That’s why NASM spent years researching and developing the evidence-based Certified Nutrition Coach program. No fads or pseudo-science here. Just a comprehensive certification that teaches you the facts you need to make a genuine, long-lasting impact on your clients' nutrition.

The program provides all of the information you need to help maximize your client’s success and put them on a path to better eating. Meaning you’ll be able to answer the questions your clients have and address the real-world nutritional problems they face.

blue plus symbol Expand What You’ll Learn

Not all Nutrition Certifications are created equal. That’s why NASM’s program includes the latest and most up-to-date information on nutrition science, behavior change strategies, and nutrition coaching strategies. Upon completion, you'll be able to guide clients seeking to improve their body composition, athletic performance, and their health through carefully crafted nutrition coaching that takes age, culture, socioeconomic status, and more into account.



Revolutionary Digital Learning Platform

Study for your NASM Nutrition Certification anytime, anywhere, and on any device with our revolutionary digital learning platform. See the interactive platform's features by taking a quick tour below.

product tour video overlay

Curriculum

There are no prerequisites for the Nutrition Certification.

Chapter 1: Introduction
Learn about the role of a Nutrition Coach and how the NASM Nutrition Certification can help enhance your career.

Chapter 2: Scope of Practice
Understand a Nutrition Coach's scope of practice, professional expectations, and differentiate among related nutrition profressions.

Chapter 3: Evidence-Based Nutrition and Practice
In this chapter, you'll learn the importance of evidence-based practice, the difference between basic scientific principles and methodology, and define scientific research processes.

Chapter 4: Food Preference and Influences
Understand the effects of nutritional intake on individual health, identify the role of dietary habits in overall health, and describe factors that that influence dietary patterns. You'll also be able to recognize the dangers of a one-diet-fits-all approach and identify how different factors can influence eating patterns.

Chapter 5: Energy Balance and Metabolism
This chapter explores how macronutrients fuel activity and bodily functions, as well as how to balance the energy in versus energy out equation. You'll understand the First Law of Thermodynamics, energy balance, and energy systems.

Chapter 6: Protein
Protein is an important macronutrient that many bodily functions depend on. Learn the structure and function of protein, total daily protein requirements, and methods for establishing protein requirements in a dietary program.

Chapter 7: Carbohydrates
Carbohydrates provide energy for the body. Understand their structure and function, the digestion and absorption process, daily carbohydrate requirements, and more.

Chapter 8: Fats
Dietary fat has many important functions. In this chapter, you'll learn about the function and intake recommendations, as well as key myths and hot topics related to fat.

Chapter 9: Alcohol
This chapter explains the digestion and absorption process of alcohol, as well as the physiological effects and methods for accommodating alcohol in a dietary program.

Chapter 10: Miconutrients
Micronutrients help maintain the metabolic processes required to produce energy. Understand the difference between water-soluble vitamins, fat-soluble vitamins, and minerals, identify common food sources, and learn to calculate daily recommended intakes and the values for each micronutrient.

Chapter 11: Hydration
In this chapter, you'll learn the compartmental aspects and shifts of water in the body following significant sweat losses. You'll also discover methods to help decrease excessive hypo- or hyper-hydration and learn about proper hydration strategies.

Chapter 12: Nutrient Timing
Discover appropriate nutrient-timing strategies for performance and for altering body composition, as well as the role that nutrient timing plays within an overall nutrition strategy.

Chapter 13: Supplements
Understand the role of supplementation across various goals, explain the strength of the evidence base for commonly used supplements, and learn to communicate with clients about the pros and cons of supplementation.

110 Infographics

14 Videos

53 Knowledge Checks

1 Printable Handout

110 Infographics

14 Videos

53 Knowledge Checks

1 Printable Handout

Chapter 14: Psychology of Weight Control and Behavior Change
In this chapter, you'll learn how psychology affects fitness and wellness. Identify barriers to diet and exercise, common eating disorders, and common client types used to develop customized programs.

Chapter 15: Coaching and Communication
It's important for Nutrition Coaches to communicate in a way that positively influences adherence to their programs. You'll identify strategies for building rapport and use effective communication skills to elicit behavior change.

Chapter 16: Motivational Interviewing
This chapter explains motivational interviewing and strategies that are used to help clients understand the underlying reasons for their own change while affirming their motivation.

Chapter 17: Goal Setting
Understand different types of goals, the benefits of effective goal-setting, methods for providing feedback and tracking progress, and identify obstacles commonly encountered when setting goals.

18 Infographics

11 Videos

16 Knowledge Checks

18 Infographics

11 Videos

16 Knowledge Checks

Chapter 18: Dietary Assessment and Body Composition Testing
In this chapter, you'll discover a step-by-step approach to assessing dietary intake and monitoring body composition. You'll compare body-composition assessment methods and understand the importance of consistency and accessibility.

Chapter 19: Food and Supplement Labels and Portion Size
Learn about the labeling standards for food and supplement products, as well as portion size recommendations.

Chapter 20: Helping Clients Navigate the Real World
This chapter explains strategies that can help clients make healthy food choices in everyday situations, such as at the grocery store or dining out.

Chapter 21: Navigating Diets
This chapter explains strategies that can help clients make healthy food choices in everyday situations, such as at the grocery store or dining out.

Chapter 22: Nutrition Hot Topics and Controversies
An in-depth approach to explaining the science behind many of the nutrition hot topics and controversies faced by clients today.

Chapter 23: Managing Weight-Loss Plateaus and Maintaining Weight Loss
This chapter examines the science and psychology of weight-loss plateaus and how to help clients avoid this vicious cycle.

Chapter 24: Programming - Putting it All Together
Nutrition Coaches must have a foundational level of knowledge regarding nutritional science and behavior psychology. However, knowledge without action is virtually useless, especially when helping clients achieve their health-and-wellness goals. This chapter puts all of this knowledge into practice and details a step-by-step process for nutrition programming.

62 Infographics

16 Videos

29 Knowledge Checks

10 Printable Handouts

62 Infographics

16 Videos

29 Knowledge Checks

10 Printable Handouts

After the completion of the course, you will take an online final exam from the comfort of your own home, or wherever you prefer to take tests. The test is 100, multiple-choice questions. You are allowed to go back and reference the course while taking the exam. The exam is timed and cannot exceed 90 minutes. To pass, you need a score of 70% or higher and you have up to 3 attempts to pass.

 

Free PDF Download:
NASM's Essentials Cookbook

 

This cookbook is full of healthy and delicious recipes for meals, desserts, and snacks!

form

 

FAQs

NASM-CNC is approved for Continuing Education Units (CEUs) by the following organizations:

NASM Provider logo

1.9 CEUs

AFAA Provider Logo

19 CEUs

ACE Provider Logo

3.0 CECs

CIMPSA Provider Logo

10 CIMSPA Endorsed CPD Points

Learning Hours/EREPS Logo

10 Learning Hours

Mobile NASM Provider logo

1.9 CEUs

Mobile AFAA Provider Logo

19 CEUs

Mobile ACE Provider Logo

3.0 CECs

Mobile CIMPSA Provider Logo

10 CPD Points

Mobile Learning Hours/EREPS Logo

10 Learning Hours

Absolutely! You can complete the NASM Nutrition Certification while also working full-time. The study material is 100% online and self-paced, and can be accessed on a computer, or a mobile device such as a phone or tablet.

You can start anytime! Once you begin, you have one year to complete the course and take the final exam, which is more than enough time. On average, if you are studying 8-10 hours a week the course will likely take about 10 weeks to complete but can be completed in as few as 4 weeks.

The final exam is administered online within your student portal. It consists of 100 multiple-choice questions and 90 minutes for completion. You have 3 attempts to pace with a 70% or higher.

Renewal of the Certified Nutrition Coach (CNC) is required every two years through completion of the CNC Renewal Exam. The CNC Renewal Exam will offer three exam attempts and will have an enrollment duration of 365 days. The CNC Renewal Exam will recertify the credential for another two years from the new completion date.

Once you successfully pass your exam, a digital copy of your certificate will become available to you within 24 hours, but in most cases immediately. Within 4-6 weeks, a hardcopy certificate will be mailed to the address you have on your NASM account.

Yes, we offer flexible payment plans when buying online or over the phone. You can choose from four or 12 easy, 0% interest monthly payments.

The program applies to all diets including vegan and vegetarian. The course content does not emphasize a “nutrition camp” or a “one-size fits all” approach to eating. Instead, it openly discusses many ways to consume a healthy diet. The end result is that Nutrition Coaches will be able to consider their client’s unique food preferences, religion, family and work obligations, and cultural differences when providing nutritional guidance.

Why Become a Certified Nutrition Coach?

  • Explain fact vs. fiction when it comes to the science behind popular diets
  • Explore nutrition hot topics such as artificial sweeteners, GMOs, organic, grass-fed, gluten-free, and detoxes
  • Master foundational nutrition science principles, including metabolism, macronutrients, micronutrients, hydration, alcohol, and nutrient timing
  • Expand your clientele by adding a new discipline to your training resume
  • Create individualized nutrition coaching strategies according to your client’s food preferences, culture, and training demands
  • Help clients navigate real-world scenarios like reading food labels and understanding portion sizes to maximize healthy eating patterns
5 stars

"I have 20 years of informal nutrition knowledge acquired through competing in body building competitions in my early years, running marathons and most recently competing in crossfit competitions. After owning a gym and having personal training clients, this was the next logical step to help others reach their full potential. I only wish I would have done it earlier. NASM did an excellent job of presenting the information and I am excited about sharing my knowledge with my clients! Thank you!"

 

Ellen K, FL

Show More Testimonials

5 stars

"This Course was excellent. It is an absolute must, if you want or expect to be the best trainer/nutrition coach that you can be. Short of a PhD in nutrition, which will cost you tens of thousands of dollars and take multiple years to obtain, This is the most comprehensive nutrition material on the market. Buy now, do not hesitate!"

 

Paul G, CA

5 stars

"It's great to be apart of the NASM community! The NASM Nutrition Certification course was very helpful to the knowledge I had already possessed in my past 8 years experience in the Nutrition industry. Great online course with detailed information to attain the knowledge needed. You can also learn at your own pace to fully retain information. I plan to continue my education in other programs NASM offers."

 

Jill R, FL

Show Fewer Testimonials

Why Choose NASM

Certified Nutrition Coach

There is a reason the National Academy of Sports Medicine (NASM) is the most trusted name in fitness and wellness. For almost 40 years, we’ve prided ourselves on developing certifications and specializations that are evidence-based and backed by the latest in science and research. By doing so, you can rest assured that you’re learning the most accurate and trusted methods and providing your clients with the best insight and guidance available.

By combining our time-tested approach to research and product development with 24 of the biggest and brightest names in nutrition, the Certified Nutrition Coach program provides you with the most in-depth and up to date certification on the market. That's not all, though. Our state-of-the-art digital learning platform, high-end videos, and interactive learning materials give you a first-class experience available only with NASM.

Learn what thousands of other nutrition professionals already know. NASM knows what it takes to build the fitness and nutrition certifications and specializations that make a difference for your career and clients.

WANT TO LEARN MORE?

Talk to one of our program advisors to learn more about the NASM-CNC. Fill out the form and you will be contacted within 1 business day.

All fields are required

 
This site uses cookies to store information on your computer. Some are essential to make our site work; others help us improve the user experience or allow us to effectively communicate with you. By using the site, you consent to the placement of these cookies. Read our Cookie Policy to learn more.