The Certification Board For Nutrition Specialists (CBNS) was founded in 1993 by the American College of Nutrition (ACN) to help meet the growing demand for knowledgeable, responsible professional nutritionists. The CBNS was created as a national certifying body in response to the many advanced degree nutritionists (master's and doctoral level) from regionally accredited institutions that seek more formal recognition of their knowledge, skills and experience.
CBNS certification provides the public a way to distinguish highly trained, competent nutritionists with assurance. The protected title of Certified Nutrition Specialist (CNS) is awarded by CBNS to those nutritionists meeting defined educational, experience and examination requirements. Continuing education requirements help ensure that standards of excellence are maintained. CNS diplomats are found in a variety of professional settings in private practice, public and community health care, universities and industry. Since 1998, CBNS certification has been extended to include physicians with similar expertise and experience in basic and applied nutrition. Some of the most recognized names in the field of nutrition hold the CNS credential.
