NASM NUTRITION CERTIFICATION
EXAM QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
(VERIFIED AND UPDATED)
Scope of practice - ANS The actions, procedures, and processes that a professional is allowed
to undertake in keeping with the terms of the professional's license or credential.
Registered Dietitian Nutritionist (RDN) - ANS This term is used interchangeably with a
Registered Dietitian (RD) and it is also a legally protected designation.
Commission on Dietetic Registration (CDR) - ANS The CDR acts as the credentialing arm of the
Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics for the purpose of establishing and enforcing certification
standards for registered dieticians and other licensed nutritional professionals and issues
credentials to those who successfully meet said standards. The CDR also provides a professional
code of ethics and recertification standards.
Certified Diabetes Educator (CDE) - ANS A licensed healthcare professional or certified allied
health professional who works with those who have diabetes - 1000 contact hours in diabetes
education is required for certification.
Advanced Registered Nurse Practitioners (ARNP) - ANS An advanced nursing degree requiring
2 more years of college beyond an RN - many then choose a specialty or primary focus of care.
@2026/2027 ALLRIGHTS RESERVED.
,Physicians Assistant (PA) - ANS A licensed healthcare professional who works under the
supervision of a doctor or other medical professional, typically requires a 4-year degree plus a
post-graduate program.
Doctor of Pharmacy (PharmD) - ANS A pharmacist with an advanced degree who works in
conjunction with a medical doctor to prepare and/or dispense prescription drugs or
compounds.
licensed - ANS Licensing is typically provided on a state or federal level. Common
prerequisites of licensing include formal education/training, a predetermined number of
supervised contact hours, and successful completion of a standardized test. Most healthcare
providers require licensure.
certified - ANS Certification is granted to a person who has participated in an educational
course (either live or online) and successfully completed a standardized test: written, practical,
or both.
Nutritionist - ANS A generic term for someone who provides nutrition counseling -
certification and licensing parameters are vague.
a nutrition coach CAN - ANS Evaluate current eating plans and provide general guidance.
Recommend the client discuss supplement use with their personal registered dietitian
nutritionist, physician, or pharmacist.
Promote caloric guidelines outlined by the USDA's MyPlate, the United Kingdom's Eatwell
Guide, or other acceptable entities.
Recommend gradual dietary modifications and consistent dietary practices.
Discuss the importance of a balanced intake of macronutrients.
Refer back to the client's personal healthcare provider when necessary.
Offer nutritional guidelines for anyone wanting to participate in typical athletic pursuits (i.e.,
masters swimming or a 10K run).
Provide guidance for healthy populations.
Offer advice on eating behaviors and/or macronutrients that are known to reduce the risk of
disease or slow disease progression.
@2026/2027 ALLRIGHTS RESERVED.
, Offer exercise and physical activity guidelines.
a nutrition coach CANNOT - ANS Provide specific meal plans and daily menus.
Prescribe specific supplements or recommend vitamins and/or mineral dosages.
Suggest drastic caloric restriction.
Promote fasting, detoxification, or other extreme nutritional practices.
Prescribe diets that omit or severely restrict certain food groups.
In anyway, go against recommendations of licensed healthcare professionals.
Provide detailed nutritional plans for athletes who participate in extreme training programs (i.e.,
Ironman triathletes or ultra-marathoners).
Prescribe dietary plans for those with chronic health conditions (i.e., diabetes or heart disease).
Provide nutrition therapy to treat or prevent disease.
Provide exercise prescriptions or detailed programming (unless already certified as a personal
trainer).
assessment topics - ANS Client nutritional goals
Personal stumbling blocks
Food aversions, preferences, known allergies, etc.
Hydration
Food triggers
Exercise habits
Daily activity patterns
physical assessment - ANS Height
Weight
Body composition
Anthropometric measures of girth (arm, neck, chest, waist, hip, thigh, and calf)
@2026/2027 ALLRIGHTS RESERVED.
EXAM QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
(VERIFIED AND UPDATED)
Scope of practice - ANS The actions, procedures, and processes that a professional is allowed
to undertake in keeping with the terms of the professional's license or credential.
Registered Dietitian Nutritionist (RDN) - ANS This term is used interchangeably with a
Registered Dietitian (RD) and it is also a legally protected designation.
Commission on Dietetic Registration (CDR) - ANS The CDR acts as the credentialing arm of the
Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics for the purpose of establishing and enforcing certification
standards for registered dieticians and other licensed nutritional professionals and issues
credentials to those who successfully meet said standards. The CDR also provides a professional
code of ethics and recertification standards.
Certified Diabetes Educator (CDE) - ANS A licensed healthcare professional or certified allied
health professional who works with those who have diabetes - 1000 contact hours in diabetes
education is required for certification.
Advanced Registered Nurse Practitioners (ARNP) - ANS An advanced nursing degree requiring
2 more years of college beyond an RN - many then choose a specialty or primary focus of care.
@2026/2027 ALLRIGHTS RESERVED.
,Physicians Assistant (PA) - ANS A licensed healthcare professional who works under the
supervision of a doctor or other medical professional, typically requires a 4-year degree plus a
post-graduate program.
Doctor of Pharmacy (PharmD) - ANS A pharmacist with an advanced degree who works in
conjunction with a medical doctor to prepare and/or dispense prescription drugs or
compounds.
licensed - ANS Licensing is typically provided on a state or federal level. Common
prerequisites of licensing include formal education/training, a predetermined number of
supervised contact hours, and successful completion of a standardized test. Most healthcare
providers require licensure.
certified - ANS Certification is granted to a person who has participated in an educational
course (either live or online) and successfully completed a standardized test: written, practical,
or both.
Nutritionist - ANS A generic term for someone who provides nutrition counseling -
certification and licensing parameters are vague.
a nutrition coach CAN - ANS Evaluate current eating plans and provide general guidance.
Recommend the client discuss supplement use with their personal registered dietitian
nutritionist, physician, or pharmacist.
Promote caloric guidelines outlined by the USDA's MyPlate, the United Kingdom's Eatwell
Guide, or other acceptable entities.
Recommend gradual dietary modifications and consistent dietary practices.
Discuss the importance of a balanced intake of macronutrients.
Refer back to the client's personal healthcare provider when necessary.
Offer nutritional guidelines for anyone wanting to participate in typical athletic pursuits (i.e.,
masters swimming or a 10K run).
Provide guidance for healthy populations.
Offer advice on eating behaviors and/or macronutrients that are known to reduce the risk of
disease or slow disease progression.
@2026/2027 ALLRIGHTS RESERVED.
, Offer exercise and physical activity guidelines.
a nutrition coach CANNOT - ANS Provide specific meal plans and daily menus.
Prescribe specific supplements or recommend vitamins and/or mineral dosages.
Suggest drastic caloric restriction.
Promote fasting, detoxification, or other extreme nutritional practices.
Prescribe diets that omit or severely restrict certain food groups.
In anyway, go against recommendations of licensed healthcare professionals.
Provide detailed nutritional plans for athletes who participate in extreme training programs (i.e.,
Ironman triathletes or ultra-marathoners).
Prescribe dietary plans for those with chronic health conditions (i.e., diabetes or heart disease).
Provide nutrition therapy to treat or prevent disease.
Provide exercise prescriptions or detailed programming (unless already certified as a personal
trainer).
assessment topics - ANS Client nutritional goals
Personal stumbling blocks
Food aversions, preferences, known allergies, etc.
Hydration
Food triggers
Exercise habits
Daily activity patterns
physical assessment - ANS Height
Weight
Body composition
Anthropometric measures of girth (arm, neck, chest, waist, hip, thigh, and calf)
@2026/2027 ALLRIGHTS RESERVED.
