Become a Certified Nutrition Coach

• Awarded the Best Nutrition Certification for 2024 by Fortune for affordability. 
• Not a great test-taker? Don’t worry. 93% of AFPA graduates passed their final exam on the first try. We’ll prepare you for success.  
• Fast-track your career with AFPA – most students complete their certification in just 4 months. 
• AFPA students come back again and again and recommend us to their peers because they trust the quality of our curriculum and rely on our level of support. 
• Become part of a global community – AFPA has graduates in over 140 countries. 
• Benefit from 30+ years of experience in health, wellness, and fitness education. 
• Flexible payment plans with financing as low as 0% APR help make your education possible. 
• As an organization that cares about accessibility, we are often the low-cost choice. With AFPA, you can save on your education without sacrificing quality.  

To qualify for any of our nutrition certification programs, you must:

• Be at least 18 years of age
• Have a solid understanding of the English language

For our Gut Health Nutrition Specialist program and Autoimmune Holistic Nutrition Certification, we also recommend (but do not require) that you:

• Hold at least one current certificate in a health, wellness, nutrition, or fitness discipline (OR) have an undergraduate degree in a health or science discipline
• Have knowledge of health and wellness coaching strategies and practices

A high school diploma or GED is not required to enroll in any AFPA nutrition program.

We have open enrollment, so you may enroll whenever you are ready.

Shortly after you enroll, you will receive access to the online learning platform where you can begin your program whenever you are ready.

If your course includes digital textbooks:

If you complete an order during regular office hours (Monday-Friday 8 a.m.- 5 p.m. EST), we will process and issue your course digital textbook codes via email within 24 hours. If you complete your order outside of our regular office hours or on a federal holiday, please give us until the following business day to send your book codes.

The final exam for each AFPA nutrition course is open-book and administered online.

If you don’t pass the final exam on your first attempt, you can request a re-test for an additional fee.

Many of our students complete the program while holding down full-time jobs or balancing other responsibilities, like being a stay-at-home parent. Our flexible programs allow you to move at your own pace over the course of 6 months and create a study plan that works with your unique schedule.

Once certified, some of our graduates chose to build a part-time nutrition business that allows them to also work another job, raise a family, etc.

Yes, AFPA also offers flexible payment plans to support your goals and fit your budget.

Learn more

Holistic Nutrition Coaches guide clients toward lasting well-being through a whole-person approach. They integrate evidence-based nutrition principles with emotional, social, and behavioral health strategies to support positive lifestyle change.

As a Holistic Nutrition Coach, you can practice with confidence and clarity, guiding clients through a science-based and whole-person approach to wellness. This title gives you flexibility to work nationwide, credibility grounded in evidence-based training, and the skills to support lasting transformation through nutrition and lifestyle change.

With our commitment to the highest quality holistic, evidence-based education, AFPA can equip you to maximize your impact. We set the gold standard by offering an affordable, convenient, interactive, and hands-on option on the path to becoming a holistic nutritionist or nutrition coach.

The AFPA Holistic Nutrition Coach Certification has over 400 5-star reviews and is a 100% online course that can be completed in less than 6 months from anywhere. Move through the course at your own pace within the online learning platform.

• Dynamic Learning Methodologies – Includes a variety of learning methodologies to support different types of learners
• Up-To-Date Curriculum – Features the latest research on nutrition, holistic health, and health behavior change
• Business Resources – Offers support for applying the knowledge and skills gained in the program in a professional setting
• Affordable Financial Investment – Costs less than the market value and is payable through a payment plan
• Flexible Course of Study – Can be completed online, from anywhere and at any time

We have created a program guide specially directed at answering questions about our most comprehensive nutrition program yet. Check out the Master Level Nutrition Coach Program Guide to see if this program is right for you.

AFPA graduates overwhelmingly agree that their nutrition certification expanded their career opportunities and improved their personal wellbeing. However, the worth of a certification in nutrition depends on your goals, career path, and the specific certification you are considering. Here are some factors to consider:

1. Career Goals: If you are looking to work as a registered dietitian, a certification in nutrition will not suffice. But if you want to work in the larger health and wellness field, or explore entrepreneurship, a certification may help you reach your goals.
2. Knowledge and Skill Enhancement: For individuals looking to deepen their understanding of nutrition for personal use or to provide general advice to friends and family, a nutrition certification can be valuable. It can help you make healthier choices and understand the fundamentals of nutrition.
3. Professional Advancement: If you’re already working in healthcare, fitness, or a related field, having a nutrition certification can enhance your qualifications and make you more competitive in your industry. It can open up opportunities for specialized roles or additional income streams.
4. Credibility: Reputable certifications can lend credibility to your expertise and advice, which can be important if you are providing nutrition guidance to clients or the public.
5. Licensing and Regulation: The requirements for practicing nutrition can vary by location. Some places may require specific certifications or licensure, while others have more lenient regulations. It’s essential to research the specific requirements in your area if you’re considering a career in nutrition.
6. Investment: Certifications can vary widely in cost and time commitment. Consider the financial investment and whether the potential benefits, such as career advancement or personal knowledge, justify the expense.

The Holistic Nutrition Coach Certification includes a robust section on the practical skills needed to find and retain clients, as well as start and sustain run a successful, ethically grounded holistic nutrition coaching practice.

Holistic nutrition coaches usually work in an integrated clinic or as solo practitioners, and/or have their own independent business or online consultation business. They may also work in school or corporate settings. Some holistic nutrition coaches choose to specialize in areas such as holistic sports nutrition, home nutrition or family nutrition therapy. Other careers in holistic nutrition include research, teaching and working for a supplement manufacturer or whole foods company. Writing nutrition guides or working as a chef are other career possibilities.

Nutrition coaches earned a median annual salary of nearly $62,000 in May 2021, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). Actual salaries may vary greatly based on specialization within the field, location, years of experience, and a variety of other factors. Your earning potential throughout your career will depend partially on variables like where you live, what services you provide, if you cater to a particular niche of clientele, and your area of expertise. In addition to these factors, your earning potential will also depend on your ability to work hard and to market yourself in your field, as well as your ability to network in your community and online. Consider building your base of clients with those who know and trust you enough to refer you to friends and family. Additionally, the nation’s health concerns and growing awareness of the importance of healthy eating will continue to boost earning potential for professionals in the nutrition field.

A holistic nutrition coach helps clients improve their well-being through balanced eating, lifestyle changes, and sustainable habits, focusing on the whole person rather than medical treatment. A registered dietitian or registered dietitian nutritionist nutritionist (RDN), on the other hand, is a licensed healthcare professional who must earn at least a master’s degree, complete supervised clinical training, and pass a national exam. RDNs can diagnose and treat nutrition-related medical conditions, while nutrition coaches provide education, guidance, and motivation for everyday healthy living.

Both health coaches and holistic nutrition coaches play essential roles in supporting individuals’ health and well-being, but there are notable differences in their focus and approaches.

A holistic nutrition coach specializes in the field of holistic nutrition, which emphasizes the interconnection of various aspects of wellness, including physical, emotional, occupational, interpersonal, intellectual, spiritual, and cultural wellness. Holistic nutrition coaches primarily focus on the power of nutrition and its impact on overall health. They are trained in understanding the relationship between food, nutrients, and the human body. With their knowledge of holistic nutrition principles, they provide clients with personalized guidance and strategies to optimize their health and well-being through a balanced and wholesome diet.

On the other hand, a health coach takes a more comprehensive approach to wellness. While nutrition is an essential component of their work, health coaches often address a broader range of lifestyle factors that contribute to overall health. They consider aspects such as stress management, exercise, sleep, relationships, and personal development. Health coaches aim to empower individuals to make positive changes in various areas of their lives and support them in achieving their overall wellness goals.

While holistic nutrition coaches focus primarily on nutrition and its impact on health, health coaches use their coaching skills to address multiple dimensions of well-being. Ultimately, both professionals can make a positive impact on individuals’ health.

Read our full blog on the difference between a nutritionist and health coach.

The holistic nutrition coach title gives you flexibility and freedom to practice ethically and confidently within your legal scope across the U.S.

Medical Nutrition Therapy (MNT) is a specialized form of nutritional treatment and counseling provided by registered dietitians to individuals with specific medical conditions, illnesses, or dietary needs. MNT is out of scope for practicing holistic nutrition coaches.