Nutrition is growing in popularity as people are realizing just how powerful it can be for overall wellbeing, energy, weight management, hormonal health, athletic performance, disease prevention, and disease management.

“Nutritionist” is a broad term that includes individuals with various training and experience and is not a regulated term in all states. Those seeking a nutritionist and those who wish to become a nutritionist need to understand the many credentials available for nutritionists.

The two most trusted credentials for nutrition professionals are the Certified Nutrition Specialist® (CNS®) and the Registered Dietitian (RD). Individuals with these credentials receive advanced nutrition training, are knowledgable on medical nutrition therapy (MNT), and adhere to a code of ethics. There are some differences between the two, but both are qualified nutrition professionals.

What is a Certified Nutrition Specialist® (CNS®)?

Certified Nutrition Specialists® are advanced nutritionists with specialized training in nutrition. A CNS is required to hold an advanced degree in nutrition at the master’s or doctorate level, earn 1000 hours of supervised experience in clinical nutrition, sit for a rigorous exam, and be approved by the Board for Certification of Nutrition Specialists℠. Additionally, a CNS is required to complete 75 continuing education credits every 5 years.

Certified Nutrition Specialists® typically have a functional or root-cause approach to nutrition. Most CNSs work in private practice, but can also be found in public health and corporate wellness. The CNS credential is recognized on a state by state basis.

What is a Registered Dietitian (RD)?

A registered dietitian (RD) is required to have a bachelor of science (BS) in dietetics, earn 1200 hours of supervised experience in nutrition, and sit for a rigorous exam. In 2024, RD’s will be required to have a master’s degree instead of a bachelor’s. Many RD’s work in private practice, but they’re also found in hospitals and public health.

An RD’s training tends to be conventional, but this does not mean they don’t seek further education in functional nutrition. Similar to a CNS, an RD is required to complete 75 continuing education credits every 5 years.

What is a Health Coach?

Health coaches complete online programs that vary in length and training but are typically not accredited. Examples of these include IIN, NTP, and NTP/FNTP. A health coach’s job is to guide you in creating changes that support a healthy lifestyle. Because of this, a health coach can play a valuable role in your health. However, because a health coach does not receive formal education in nutrition, they are not equipped to make personalized nutrition recommendations or practice MNT, and it is illegal to do so in many states, including California.

Who Should I See?

Both a CNS and an RD are great choices for someone seeking personalized nutrition and can be valuable components of your healthcare team. Most CNSs and RDs focus on a particular area of expertise, such as digestive health, diabetes, or fertility. Therefore, it’s important to focus on who is most qualified to work with your particular needs. If you do not need personalized nutrition care and rather need to focus on establishing healthy eating and lifestyle habits, then a health coach may be sufficient for you. However, because health coaches do not have advanced training in nutrition, they should not be grouped with CNSs and RDs, who are experts in nutrition and providing personalized nutrition care.

Should I be a CNS, RD, or a Health Coach?

If you’re thinking of joining the nutrition field, this is probably a question you’re asking yourself! It may be best to first consider 1) Where you’d like to work and what that state’s nutrition regulations are currently, and 2) What you’d like to help your clients achieve. These answers will ultimately drive your decision. Because coursework can vary between the CNS and RD pathways, consider what you’re interested in learning about, too!