An accessible, rigorous certification pathway for nutrition professionals — start with the self-paced Certified Nutritionist (CN) Certificate. No degree required. A private credential — not an RDN and not a state license.
Registered dietitians have the Commission on Dietetic Registration. It sets their standards, administers their exams, and gives regulators a credential to reference.
Nutritionists have nothing comparable.
An estimated 100,000 to 150,000 nutritionists practice in the United States, with tens of thousands more entering the field each year. In more than 30 states, anyone can call themselves a "nutritionist" — regardless of education, training, or competency. The existing credentials available to nutritionists either require graduate degrees that exclude qualified practitioners or lack the accreditation that regulators and employers require.
ABCN was founded to solve this problem. The American Board of Certified Nutritionists establishes clear, rigorous standards for what nutritionists should know and be able to do — then makes those standards accessible to anyone willing to do the work, regardless of whether they hold a college degree.
ABCN does not require a college degree at any tier. We define the curriculum and the standards. If you are 18 or older with a high school diploma or GED, you can begin the path to certification — fully online and self-paced.
Every ABCN certificate requires completing the full curriculum, passing the module quizzes, and passing a comprehensive final exam at 80% or higher, plus agreement to a Code of Ethics. We are building toward NCCA accreditation standards.
ABCN exists first and foremost to protect the public. Our certifications give consumers, employers, insurers, and state regulators a reliable way to distinguish qualified nutrition professionals from unqualified ones.
Entry credential for nutrition education and wellness support — 100% online, self-paced.
General, non-medical nutrition education and wellness coaching. Not medical nutrition therapy.
All sales final · no refunds · 6-month access. Terms & No-Refund Policy
Professional-level credential that builds on the CN with deeper assessment and planning.
Advanced general nutrition education and wellness planning. Not medical nutrition therapy.
The advanced tier at the top of the ABCN pathway.
Advanced general nutrition education and specialization. Not medical nutrition therapy or clinical practice.
Simple, self-paced, and fully online:
No college degree required. Access is valid for 6 months from purchase. A private certificate — not an RDN and not a state license.
We're happy to help you decide if the CN Certificate is right for you.
The Certified Nutritionist (CN) Certificate is ideal for wellness coaches, fitness professionals, and anyone who wants a solid, credible foundation in general nutrition — without a degree requirement.
Advanced tiers (CNP and BCN) are launching soon for graduates who want to go further.
5 self-paced modules + final exam
All sales final · no refunds · 6-month access. Terms & No-Refund Policy
Challenge the final exam — skip the study program
100-question, one-time self-test — see if you should buy the exam or the full course
Advanced tier — launching soon
Advanced tier — launching soon
Support accessible nutrition education. Your donation helps us build credentialing standards that protect the public and open doors for nutrition professionals — no degree required.
DonateABCN is not only a credentialing body — it is an advocacy organization for the nutrition profession.
In more than 30 states, anyone can call themselves a "nutritionist" regardless of qualifications. ABCN has developed model legislation — the Nutritionist Title Protection Act — that states can adopt to protect the public by restricting professional titles to credentialed practitioners.
ABCN actively engages with state legislators, health committees, and regulatory agencies to advance title protection and recognition of ABCN credentials in state law.
We advocate for insurance panel inclusion, employer recognition, and workforce development funding for credentialed nutritionists. As NCCA accreditation is achieved, these advocacy efforts gain the institutional backing that moves policy.
No. The CN Certificate requires only that you are 18 or older with a high school diploma or GED. It is fully online and self-paced, and you demonstrate your learning through module quizzes and a final exam.
ABCN certifies nutritionists, not dietitians. The RD credential requires a master's degree and a supervised internship through ACEND-accredited programs. ABCN provides an accessible alternative for nutrition professionals who do not hold or seek a graduate degree. ABCN-certified nutritionists and registered dietitians serve complementary roles in the healthcare system, with different scopes of practice.
In states with title protection legislation, only certified individuals can use protected titles such as "Certified Nutritionist." ABCN certification also signals to employers, clients, and insurers that you have met a verified standard of competence. Many employers and insurance panels are beginning to require or prefer credentialed nutrition professionals.
ABCN is pursuing accreditation from the National Commission for Certifying Agencies (NCCA), the gold standard for personnel certification programs. We are building every element of our program to NCCA standards from the outset.
No. Medical nutrition therapy (MNT) is outside the scope of ABCN certification at all tiers. MNT is typically restricted to licensed professionals (usually registered dietitians) under state law. ABCN-certified nutritionists provide nutrition education, assessment, counseling, and planning within their defined scope of practice.
The CN Certificate is self-paced, so it's up to you. Most learners finish the 5 modules and final exam in a few weeks to a couple of months. Your access stays active for one full year from purchase.
We are actively working with employers, healthcare systems, and insurance panels to establish recognition for ABCN credentials. As NCCA accreditation is achieved and state title protection legislation advances, recognition will expand significantly. Early adopters position themselves at the forefront of this process.
ABCN-Approved Training Providers are educational organizations that have been reviewed and approved by ABCN to deliver the official curriculum. Training providers must meet ABCN standards for faculty qualifications, curriculum delivery, and student outcomes.
All ABCN certifications require biennial renewal. You must complete continuing education units (20-40 depending on tier), maintain adherence to the ABCN Code of Ethics, and pay the renewal fee. A 90-day grace period is available after expiration.
The American Board of Certified Nutritionists (ABCN) was founded to address a fundamental gap in the health professions: the absence of a unified, accessible, and accreditation-ready credentialing standard for nutritionists.
Registered dietitians have had a national credentialing body — the Commission on Dietetic Registration — since 1969. The estimated 100,000+ nutritionists practicing in the United States have had no equivalent. The result is a fragmented landscape of unaccredited credentials, inconsistent state regulations, and a public that cannot reliably distinguish qualified nutrition professionals from unqualified ones.
ABCN changes this by establishing:
ABCN is governed by an independent board of directors and advised by nutrition professionals, educators, and policy experts.
Be the first to know when ABCN certification enrollment opens.
Thank you! You are on the waitlist. We will be in touch when enrollment opens.
No. The RD is the credential issued by the Commission on Dietetic Registration (CDR), which requires a bachelor's degree in dietetics, supervised practice hours, and a national exam. ABCN issues complementary nutritionist credentials (CN, CNP, BCN) that recognize practitioners outside the RD pipeline. Both serve different practitioners and patient needs.
No. ABCN's tiers (CN, CNP, BCN) are degree-optional. You demonstrate competency through self-paced study, module quizzes, and a final exam. ABCN is pursuing NCCA accreditation, which requires rigorous competency-based assessment regardless of degree.
ABCN is a private certification board building toward NCCA accreditation. Recognition varies by state — some states recognize multiple nutritionist credentials, others limit "nutritionist" to RD-only practice. Check your state's title-protection laws. ABCN actively advocates for inclusive title protection legislation.
CN (Certified Nutritionist, $997 launch / $1,497 regular) is the entry tier — general nutrition foundations, ethics, and wellness coaching, available now. CNP (Certified Nutrition Professional) and BCN (Board Certified Nutritionist) are advanced tiers launching soon. All ABCN certificates are general, non-medical credentials and do not include medical nutrition therapy.
The CN Certificate is self-paced — most finish in a few weeks to a couple of months, with 6 months of access. CNP and BCN timelines will be announced when those tiers launch.
Yes. ABCN certifications require ongoing CEUs to maintain active status. Specific requirements vary by tier. Renewal cycles align with NCCA accreditation standards.