AFPA Accredited Nutrition Certification Programs Online

Become a Nutrition Professional

With the increased awareness of the importance of healthy eating and the rising incidence of metabolic disease, the demand for nutrition professionals is at an all-time high. The nutrition industry is growing faster than ever before. The projected growth for this industry is expected to increase 15% over the next 8 years, which is much faster than average. Learn how you can promote health and prevent disease through nutrient optimization with our online nutrition certification programs.

What You Will Learn

How to Teach Healthy Eating Habits

From weight management to peak fitness performance, clients need to be educated on the most optimal nutrition regimen for their needs. Discover the most effective ways to teach your clients how to achieve a healthy lifestyle with research-based nutritional advice.

Strategic Counseling and Goal Setting

Getting clients the results they’re looking for requires effective communication and proven goal setting methods. You’ll learn the tried-and-true approaches so the nutrition plans you assign are completed fully and client goals are achieved.

Dispel False Nutritional Beliefs

Discover our proven procedure for distinguishing what information is right and wrong. You’ll learn how to spot unreliable nutrition knowledge while educating clients on the correct way to approach dietary changes, no matter what age or demographic.

Key Benefits

Learn the Best Counseling Practices

Our accredited nutrition certification programs will show you the most effective way to counsel clients into making proper food and lifestyle choices. Implementing our counseling approach will give you the ability to guide others into making the right nutritional changes supported by scientific research and evidence.

Modular Nutrition Certifications

Each AFPA nutrition certification program has a modular design, giving you the ability to sign up for further knowledge in the specific nutritional field you want to learn more about. Our curriculum is structured to help you dive deeper into the subject you want to specialize in so you can give the best advice possible.

Valuable Business Resources

Once you’re certified, you can choose to be your own boss and start your own practice. We have the resources to help you get started. If you decide on the entrepreneurial route, AFPA provides several business resources and guidance to help you establish a successful nutrition consulting business along with specialized credentials to increase your client base right away.

Not sure if coaching is the right path for you? Hear what our graduates have to say

Working with an accredited organization like AFPA has been really beneficial for me. It gives me a leg up on my colleagues because they might know a lot about nutrition, but don’t have the certification behind that. When you’re actually certified, it opens up a lot of doors and opportunities. Once I became certified with AFPA, I was pretty much immediately hired, which helped me get my name out there."

Allison Wells, Nutrition and Wellness Consultant Certification

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The price of the certification and the length of time required is really achievable. It was very easy to digest and I like the way the certificatications are modular, so I was able to build on my first certification."

Harvey Slater, Holistic Nutritionist Certification, Weight Management Specialist Certification

Watch Harvey's Testimonial

Adding on the Multiple Sclerosis Fitness & Wellness Specialist certification allowed me to gain a new type of clientele. It’s wonderful to be able to impact people’s lives that have MS and to be able to help feel better and live better every single day.

Heather Binns, Multiple Sclerosis Fitness & Wellness Specialist Certification

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AFPA is recognized and fully meets the American Association of Drugless Practitioners (AADP) education requirements, providing students with the most comprehensive education to gain eligibility to also become a Board Certified Nutrition Professional.

Our Holistic Nutrition, Nutrition & Wellness Consultant and Masters Nutrition courses are all American Naturopathic Medical Accreditation Board (ANMAB) approved, which makes our graduates eligible to become board certified Holistic Health Care Practitioners through ANMAB.

AFPA is an approved CEU provider for NANP, NASM, AFAA and others. Completing one of our nutrition certification programs could earn you valuable CEUs to renew existing credentials with other organizations.

AFPA is a recognized coaching organizational member of the Association of Coach Training Organizations (ACTO).

AFPA is an International Institute of Complementary Therapists (IICT) Approved Training Provider for the modality Holistic Health Coach in Australia, NZ, South Africa and the UK/EU.

AFPA is an approved school with the Canadian Association for Integrative Nutrition. We’ve also received CEC Accreditation with CANFITPRO.

Nutrition FAQs

Who can enroll in this certification program? Answer

To qualify for the Holistic Nutrition Certification Program, you must:

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

Can I still enroll in this program if I do not want to practice being a Certified Holistic Nutritionist? Answer

Absolutely. Many of our graduates choose to not become professional holistic nutritionists. The knowledge you gain in the CHN program can be applied to your own life and community.

How does the content of this program compare to your other nutrition programs? Answer

The Holistic Nutritionist Certification program teaches you how to help clients understand how their nutrition and lifestyle behaviors affect their overall health and wellness. It provides you with the knowledge necessary to build a unique strategy together with your client so that they can make sustainable health behavior changes.

We also offer other focused, specialized certification programs in nutrition such as the Certified Sports Nutritionist program, the Certified Autoimmune Nutrition Specialist program, and the Certified Plant-Based Nutrition Specialist program.

When can I enroll? Answer

We offer rolling enrollment so you can enroll whenever you’d like! Enroll for the Certified Holistic Nutritionist program here.

How long will it take to finish this program and earn my certification? Answer

The program is designed to provide you with flexibility and ample time to progress at a pace that is comfortable for you. It is self-directed, self-study, and may be completed in six months or less. If you require more time, you can request a six-month extension for an additional fee of $75.

How much does the program cost? Answer

Visit the enrollment page for the most up-to-date pricing information.

Are there payment plans available? Answer

Yes, we offer a variety of flexible payment plans and options through Affirm and PayPal Credit. You can learn more about payment plans here.

Is the program set up for international students? Answer

Yes. The program is accessible from anywhere around the globe. You can select your textbook delivery method—100% digital, in print and delivered to your doorstep, or a combination of both—when you enroll.

What if I need technical support with my online access to materials? Answer

We provide contact information so you can reach out to an education specialist or the technical support team to troubleshoot any technical difficulties you may run into.

How long is the certification valid for? Answer

Your credential is valid for two years. Certification renewal is a process whereby the certified professional demonstrates ongoing efforts to maintain and enhance the ability to perform health and wellness services in a competent manner. Certification renewal also assures the public that the certified professional remains committed to adhering to a code of ethics and standards of practice.

To demonstrate continued competency, the certified professional is required to renew their credential by obtaining 16 hours of continuing education. Continued education can include new activity that took place during the two-year certification period and cannot pre-date a certificate submitted for renewal. Approved educational activities may include: taking AFPA CEC courses, attending conferences for wellness professionals, attending professional development events or workshops, taking additional classes online or in-person, reading relevant books or scholarly articles, etc. For more information, visit our renewal information page.

Are there any restrictions in my state regarding what I can do as a certified holistic nutrition professional? Answer

The laws around certified wellness practitioners can be confusing, especially because they differ from state to state. Check out this guide to help you better understand those laws, the different types, and how they impact your ability to practice. To learn more about the laws impacting you, browse by state here.

What’s the difference between a Certified Holistic Nutritionist and a Registered Dietitian? Answer

Certified Holistic Nutritionists provide clients with information about how a holistic nutrition approach can support them in strengthening all dimensions of wellness (physical, emotional, occupational, interpersonal, intellectual, spiritual, and cultural wellness).

Registered Dietitians are professionals who completed a four-year college degree with specific coursework in nutrition and passed the Registration Examination for Dietitians.

The word “nutritionist” is less regulated, and four-year college degrees are not necessarily required to use the term.

Do I need to complete continuing education to maintain my certification? Answer

Yes, you will need to complete at least 16 continuing education credits (CECs) every two years to maintain your certification. You can learn more about renewing your certification here.

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Become a Nutrition Professional

What You Will Learn

How to Teach Healthy Eating Habits

Strategic Counseling and Goal Setting

Dispel False Nutritional Beliefs

Key Benefits

Learn the Best Counseling Practices

Modular Nutrition Certifications

Valuable Business Resources

Not sure if coaching is the right path for you? Hear what our graduates have to say

Explore Nutrition Consultant Certifications

Autoimmune Holistic Nutrition Specialist Certification

Holistic Nutritionist Certification

Gut Health Nutrition Specialist

Plant-Based Nutrition Specialist Certification

Nutrition & Wellness Consultant Certification

Nutrition Consultant Certification - Master Level

Weight Management Specialist Certification

Sports Nutrition Certification

Senior Nutrition Specialist Certification

Youth Nutrition Specialist Certification

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