When life gives you lemons,
ask your nutritionist how to use them to boost your health!

Certified Nutrition Specialist (CNS)

I am sure you have heard that “anyone can call themselves a nutritionist,” BUT not all nutritionists are created equal!

In the nutrition world, you may see the credentials range from “RD" (registered dietitian) • "CNS" (certified nutrition specialist) • "CCN" (certified clinical nutritionist) • "CNC" (certified nutritional consultant) • "holistic health/wellness coach” • & more! All of these professions aim to help you improve your health through diet and lifestyle, but it is always important to check a clinician’s credentials and training to ensure your safety with well-educated and credible dietary advice and interventions. Your state’s laws will also determine the clinician’s scope of practice.

Aside from RDs, the CNS credential is another title that can apply for licensure and is allowed practice in select states to prescribe medical nutrition therapy and preventative nutrition counseling. As a CNS, I have dedicated many years to my nutrition education and integrative medicine training to provide you with the best care possible. If you are ready and want to prevent, delay, or reverse your chronic disease using advanced evidence-based science and well-informed clinical experience,

I am here for you!

INSURANCE

Under current CMS MNT Credentialing requirements, § 410.134 Provider qualifications, Certified Nutrition Specialists CAN take insurance [x].

For Medicare Part B coverage of MNT, only a registered dietitian or nutrition professional may provide the services. “Registered dietitian or nutrition professional” means an individual who, on or after December 22, 2000:

(a) Holds a bachelor's or higher degree granted by a regionally accredited college or university in the United States (or an equivalent foreign degree) with completion of the academic requirements of a program in nutrition or dietetics accredited by an appropriate national accreditation organization recognized for this purpose.

(b) Has completed at least 900 hours of supervised dietetics practice under the supervision of a registered dietitian or nutrition professional.

(c) Is licensed or certified as a dietitian or nutrition professional by the State in which the services are performed. In a state that does not provide for licensure or certification, the individual will be deemed to have met this requirement if he or she is recognized as a “registered dietitian” by the Commission on Dietetic Registration or its successor organization, or meets the requirements of paragraphs (a) and (b) of this section.

At Starberrie Nutrition, I currently do not accept insurance but can provide you with a health claim form known as a “superbill,” which you may be able to submit to your insurance for possible reimbursement.

 

CNS Degree &
Credential Req’s

A. Must hold either a:

  1. Masters of Science or Doctoral degree in the field of nutrition OR

  2. Doctoral degree in a field of clinical healthcare (including, but not limited to, MD, DO, DC, DDS, Doctor of Nursing, ND, PharmD)

    *Degree must be from a United States regionally accredited college or university, or its foreign equivalent.

AND

B. Complete the following minimum coursework:

  1. Nutrition

  2. Biochemistry

  3. Physiology or Anatomy/Physiology

  4. Clinical or Life Sciences

Internship & Supervised Practice

The CNS candidate must complete 1,000 hours of documented supervised practice experience in nutrition.

Exam & Recertification

  1. The candidate must successfully pass a qualifying BCNS Examination.

  2. To maintain the CNS credential, the individual must recertify every five years and document 75 Continuing Education credits. For more information, please review the ANA recertification policy.

  3. In applicable states, you must renew your license every 2 years with 30 CEUS. Note that certain states may require specific CEUs (e.g., implicit bias training, child abuse recognition and reporting, etc.)

Common Workplaces

  1. Private practice

  2. Integrative Medical, Wellness, & Fitness Clinics

  3. Academic Institutions

  4. Community Health

  5. Biotech Laboratory Companies

SUMMARY

Certified Nutrition Specialists (CNS) provide a functional medicine approach to their dietary interventions due to their advanced knowledge and skills in personalized nutrition science and practice. They often engage in settings such as integrative medical clinics, private practice, hospitals, and other institutions such as industry, academia, government, and the community. Sources: [x][x]