Recertification Policy

Recertification Policy

Effective March 1, 2026

Information on Recertification

BCNS supports the ongoing professional development of its certificants in nutrition science. The mandatory recertification process provides certificants with the opportunity to demonstrate the retention, reinforcement, and expansion of their knowledge and skills pertaining to new advances as well as state-of-the-art information over the full spectrum of nutrition science and nutrition care. Recertification also provides encouragement and acknowledgment for participation in ongoing professional development activities and continued learning. To support this purpose, the recertification requirements require continuing education and professional activities that enhance ongoing professional development, recognize learning opportunities, and provide a process for both attaining and recording professional development achievements.  

To ensure the proficiency of BCNS certified individuals, the Board requires that each certificant participate periodically in continuing education (CE) to refresh existing knowledge and skills, and to acquire knowledge and skills pertaining to new advances as well as state of the art information over the full spectrum of nutrition science and nutrition care.  

The five (5) year period established for recertification is based on both the scope of issues that face nutrition care professionals and the Board’s belief that new practices, research, and information are introduced in the field with enough frequency that professional development activities should be conducted routinely so that certificants remain current with best practices and emerging knowledge.  

To maintain use of the BCNS credentials, certification must be renewed every five (5) years.  

Requirements  

To maintain the CNS credential, certificants must recertify every five (5) years by meeting continuing education requirements, affirming compliance with governing policies and ethical standards, and submitting the required fee. Recertification is required to continue using the CNS credential.  

CNS certificants must complete the following within each five-year recertification cycle:  

  • Earn a minimum of seventy-five (75) continuing education credits that meet BCNS requirements  
  • Review and affirm compliance with the CNS Code of Ethics  
  • Review the CNS Scope of Practice and Recertification Handbook  
  • Submit required attestations and the recertification fee  

Attestation and Audit  

Recertification is based on an attestation model with audit oversight. By submitting a recertification application, certificants attest that all requirements have been met and that the information provided is accurate and complete.  

Certificants selected for audit must submit requested documentation proof of continuing education credits within the timeframe specified by BCNS. Failure to respond to an audit request or failure to demonstrate compliance may result in denial of recertification or other action in accordance with BCNS policies.  

BCNS reserves the right to conduct additional audits for cause when warranted.  

Annual Fee for Certified Nutrition Specialists  

For a CNS certificant to ensure that they remain in good standing, certification must be renewed every five (5) years and the BCNS annual fee must be paid annually (including the year of recertification).  

Individuals may earn CEs in the following ways
1. Participation as a learner in a professional and structured educational activity containing a minimum of 50% nutrition content

Such activities include, but are not limited to:

  • Attendance at in-person or virtual learning activities offering Continuing Medical Education (CME) or other Continuing Education (CE) that are recognized by the ANA or other professional organizations (e.g. nutrition, medicine, pharmacy, nursing, dietetics or other health professions’ organizations and societies.) These activities contain a minimum of 50% nutrition content that is primarily educational in nature, is of scientific quality, evidence-based, and representative of a balanced discussion of the topic.

  • Taking nutrition courses at a US regionally accredited college or university. Each semester hour of a course taken for credit is eligible for 15 CE credits (e.g. a 3 credit course is 45 hours of classroom instruction, thus 45 CE credits.)

  • ANA webinars, annual science and practice summit, and specialty training courses are eligible for the number of CE credits listed on the website and within each program.

  • Other learning activities which have been approved by the BCNS Credentials Council for CE credit for CNSs. These activities are primarily educational in nature, are of scientific quality, evidence-based, representative of a balanced discussion of the topic, and contain nutrition content equal to or greater than 50%.

Please note the following:

  • Courses may be taken in person or online.

  • The number of Continuing Education (CE) credits is equal to that offered by the sponsor of the activity.

  • Courses do not need to be BCNS-approved to meet these requirements. Typically 1 hour of instruction = 1 CE.

  • If you have an event or learning activity that you’d like to offer to CNSs for Continuing Education, credits, please submit an Application for CE Approval. Examples including teaching webinars or workshops.

Appropriate learning activities DO NOT include:

  • Reading professional and/or peer-reviewed journals
  • Audited courses
  • Training classes and activities for which the primary purpose is promotion of medical or nutritional products or services or activities which contain content that lacks scientific evidence (e.g. sound methodology statistical analysis objectivity and balance)
2. Teaching nutrition courses

  • Teaching nutrition courses at a US regionally accredited college or university or foreign equivalent as part of a degree or certificate program. Documentation of eligible teaching will consist of a letter describing the course and the number of lecture hours taught (1 CE credit per lecture hour the first time the course is taught during each 5-year certification period.) CE in this category does not apply to Teaching Assistants.

  • Participating as faculty at a BCNS-approved CE program, including ANA specialty training programs (or other training programs for which professional CE credits are offered) (1 CE credit per lecture hour)

  • Presenting at a scientific conference which offers CME or BCNS-approved CE (1 CE credit per lecture hour)

  • If you have an event or learning activity that you’d like to offer to CNSs for Continuing Education, credits, please submit an Application for CE Approval. Examples including teaching webinars or workshops.

  • Participating on the BCNS Exam Development Council (appointments are approved by the BCNS Board and CE is awarded as arranged) 

A maximum of 50 CE credits can be awarded in this category.

3. Authoring or co-authoring books and articles in the field of nutrition

The following are eligible for CE credits at the listed equivalencies:

  • Authoring an advanced level professional book or textbook in the field of nutrition: 40 CE credits

  • Authoring or co-authoring a professional review article or book chapter that is published in a peer-reviewed journal or in an advanced professional book: 10 CE credits

  • Authoring a full original research article (e.g. literature review, RCTs, observational study, etc.) published in a peer-reviewed journal
    —Primary author: 10 CE credits
    —Contributing author:  5 CE credits

  • Authoring an abstract of a scientific work or case history, case report or case series published in a peer-reviewed journal
    —Primary author: 2 CE credits
    —Contributing author: 1 CE credit

  • Authoring a non-professional publication such as a book that is peer-reviewed or reviewed by BCNS Credentials Council and based on rigorous scientific research on a topic related to nutrition. This might include books marketed to the general public as well as to professionals.
    —Primary author: 10 CE credits
    —Contributing author: 5 CE credit

  • Authoring an article that is approved for the ANA Personalized Nutrition Resource Center.
    —Primary author: 0.5 CE credits
    A maximum of 5 CE credits can be awarded in this sub-category.

A maximum of 50 CE credits can be awarded in this category.

Please note the following

  • Books and papers must be published within the 5-year certification period to which they are applied

  • Documentation of authorship will consist of the name and title of the publication. The Credentials Council may request a copy of the work

4. Editorship of a professional nutrition journal

  • Editor-in-chief of a professional nutrition journal: 25 CE credits per annum

  • Editing an advanced level professional book or textbook: 15 CEs per annum

  • Associate editor of a professional nutrition journal: 10 CE credits per annum

  • Member of editorial board of a nutrition-related journal: 2 CE credits per annum

  • Editor or co-editor of an advanced professional book or graduate level textbook in the field of nutrition: 15 CE credits

Documentation will consist of a letter describing the editorial activity by the submitting CNS

A maximum of 30 CE credits can be awarded in this category

5. Participation as a learner in a professional and structured educational activity (does not need to contain nutrition content)

Courses may include content such as  behavioral and motivational counseling, professional development and JEDI (justice, equity, diversity, and inclusion)

A maximum of 15 CE credits can be awarded in this category.

NOTE: the same notes and restrictions from category #1 apply to this category.

6. Self-Study Books with Exam

Books with exam must offer Continuing Medical Education (CME) or other Continuing Education (CE) that are recognized by the ANA and other professional organizations (e.g. nutrition, medicine, pharmacy, nursing, dietetics or other health professions’ organizations and societies.)

A maximum of 22 CE credits can be awarded in this category. 

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