Certified Nutrition Coach
Renewal Process

Get Started White down arrow icon

nasm trainers

Renewal: Keep Your Skills & Knowledge Up-To-Date!

You love making a difference in people’s lives and encouraging them to eat better foods and make better choices. It’s a passion that Certified Nutrition Coaches share. With that passion comes a level of commitment.

To show that your skills are in excellent health, all NASM-CNCs are required to complete the CNC Renewal Exam every two years. Just follow the steps below to keep your career in good health, and renew your NASM-CNC credential.

Discover NASM One

The Best Membership Program in Fitness:

  • Enjoy waived recertification, renewal, and retest fees
  • Fulfill Continuing Education requirements
  • Get unlimited access to 300+ CEU library
  • If your courses are incomplete and expired, take free retests and/or extensions towards CEU requirements
  • Enjoy 50% discount on all Certifications and Specializations
  • Complimentary CPR/AED course

Our new NASM One™ membership pushes the boundaries of what’s possible — just like you.

Enroll Now
female trainer showing a male client a notebook

How to Renew

Step 1: Purchase the CNC Renewal Exam

In order to renew your certification, you must take and pass the CNC Renewal Exam. You will need to call in to our Member Services department at 800-460-6276 to enroll into the exam and complete the payment. The CNC Renewal Exam fee is $49.

*If you have Recertify for Life for the NASM-CPT or AFAA-CGFI, your exam fee will be waived. The CPT/CGFI certificate(s) must be valid at the time of renewal to receive the fee waiver.

PDF Download: CNC Renewal Guidelines

Variety of fruits and veggies

Step 2: Complete the Exam

The CNC Renewal Exam is located in your NASM account. You will be able to access your exam under your "Courses". You'll have three attempts and 365 days to pass the renewal exam. Once you have passed, your NASM-CNC will be renewed for another two years from the new completion date.

If further attempts are required, you can contact Member Services to purchase three more attempts. Please call 800-460-6276.

woman on her laptop

Step 3: You Did It!

Within one business day of having passed the CNC Renewal Exam, your new Digital Certificate will be available in the Customer Portal. To download, save, or print your Certificate, simply log in, select "Credentials" from the top navigation, then "My Credentials", and click on "View Certificate".

Your updated Digital Badge will also become available within one business day of your pass date in the Customer Portal as well as on the Accredible-hosted website, credentials.nasm.org. Simply sign in using the same email you use when logging into the NASM/AFAA Customer Portal. To learn more about accessing and sharing your Digital Badge through social media, email, and websites, simply click here.

Woman enjoying a smoothie

FAQs

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.

If you do not complete the CNC Renewal Exam within one year of your credential expiration, you’ll be required to submit an appeal. The appeal form can be found on the NASM website.

The CNC credential will expire if you do not complete the renewal process. The CNC Renewal Exam can be completed as early as 3 months prior to your credential expiration. You will have up to one year post expiration to complete the renewal exam. Renewal exams purchased after expiration will require an additional $30 fee. If the exam is not purchased and completed by the one-year deadline, you must re-enroll in the certification exam.

Click here for the NASM-CNC renewal guidelines.

As of September 1st, 2024, NASM transitioned to exclusively providing digital credentials. This decision aims to embrace the latest technologies to support ease of use, speed to share, and environmental sustainability. Both your Digital Badge and Digital Certificate are available in the Customer Portal within one business day of having passed the CNC Renewal Exam.


Digital Badges enable you to easily display qualifications, certifications, and areas of expertise in a visually appealing and easily shareable format. They provide a convenient way to differentiate yourself, while also enabling potential clients, employers, and industry peers to quickly assess skills and verify your credentials.


Digital Certificates can be downloaded and saved on as many devices as you want, and you can print unlimited copies of your certificate.