Best Online Nutrition Certification Programs Ranked

With the fitness industry evolving, it’s no longer enough to just be a personal trainer. A career that once only existed at gyms, health clubs, and private elitist locations has taken over social media. The knowledge we had from years of study and experience is now just a few clicks away, thanks to AI and the internet. 

So, how do we stand out? What can set you apart from the thousands of “I got certified in a weekend” trainers out there? 

This is our problem to solve as trainers, but the solution can be as simple as solving our clients’ problems. What is an even bigger obstacle to healthy living than exercise? 

Eating. 

We do it every day. We have to, so you think that after millions of years, humans would have gotten good at it by now. But we haven’t. 

With this knowledge in hand, you have your solution. If you can help people eat better, you’ll help them live better. You’re no longer selling just a sweat session, but an everyday, every meal life improvement strategy. 

Start helping your clients make lasting change and keep your cash flow flowing with a certification in nutrition. We scoured the internet in search of nutrition certifications and found the cream of the crop to share with you here. 

How We Chose the Best Nutrition Certifications 

Nutrition certifications vary as widely as the diets they talk about. Some certifications offer entry-level information, while others take a deep dive into body systems and nutrients. 

Key components we’ll be looking for include:

• Is the certification from a well-known organization with industry recognition?
• Does it offer a science-based foundation and quality curriculum?
• What teaching methods are used and does the course offer flexibility or other key benefits for working adults?
• What is the cost and time commitment for completing the program?
• How will the course improve and increase career opportunities?

The Best Online Nutrition Certifications

A short list for those short on time:

1.  AFPA Holistic Nutritionist Certification – Best all-around for science-based and real-life approved knowledge.
2.  ISSA Nutritionist Certification – Best quality and content for diverse populations while staying on budget.
3. Tied between NASM Certified Nutrition Coach and ACE Certified Nutrition Specialist – NASM excels at the science side of nutrition, and ACE shines in practical application.

Best In Class Course Breakdown

1. AFPA Holistic Nutritionist Certification

American Fitness Professionals and Associates, or AFPA, has been around since the early 1990s, and their course really has it all. A big part of nutrition is the science behind it. If a fitness professional of any kind is going to coach effectively, they need to know what they’re talking about. 

Because digestion, energy production, and nutrient absorption all happen inside, it can be harder to coach and understand than something highly visible, like a squat or burpee. Those exercises are easy to break down, and their form can be corrected with little effort. But you can’t open up someone’s digestive pathway and easily see how much protein is being used or why there seems to be a Vitamin B deficiency. Nutrition is an inside game, and AFPA is winning.

A big standout here is that the course is holistic and created to work across the lifespan, unlike other certifications that focus more on a singular nutrition goal or program. The reason AFPA took the top spot is for its interactive simulated coaching sessions and role plays. No other course we reviewed advertised this, so it was a big score for AFPA. They offer opportunities to work with practice clients and scenarios to help prepare you for the real world. 

When many people graduate from a nutrition certification program, they have the knowledge, but are often left hanging when it comes to how to actually implement a coaching session, so the ability to practice beforehand gives AFPA graduates a serious leg-up. 

The course itself is entirely online and self-paced, making it doable for working people who have other life obligations. Most people complete it in 6 months or less, depending on how quickly you move through the content. You’ll learn everything in the course through their online learning platform, which offers written, video, and interactive content. There is no textbook, which many people love (and some voracious readers do not). 

The program is accredited and is approved by NASM and AFAA for continuing education credits that you can put toward your other certifications.

AFPA’s certification is currently on sale for $899, with a regular price tag of $1099. They also offer payment plans to break up the payment. If the cost of this certification is off-putting, read on to our #2 option for affordable and quality content. 

Who it’s best for: Current fitness professional who wants to offer nutrition coaching as a stand-alone offering.

2. ISSA Nutritionist Certification

Coming in a very close second is ISSA’s Nutritionist Certification. The International Sports Sciences Association (ISSA) was started in 1988 and launched its first nutrition course in 1995, effectively giving the fitness industry qualified nutrition-certified individuals for 30 years and counting. Right off the bat, this tells us that they and their content aren’t going anywhere. They’ve weathered 3 decades of fad diets and bad pop culture nutrition advice. And did we mention they also do all this in Spanish? ISSA is known for its bilingual courses, offering versions in English and Spanish so that you and your clients can learn in your preferred language. 

The course is also online and self-paced, but it comes with an e-textbook, which is greatly appreciated by readers and those who like to have a reference to review after the course is completed. The science of nutrition involves a lot of facts and figures, so having a textbook handy means less internet searching and more time serving clients, because let’s be honest, we’re not going to remember everything taught in every course. 

ISSA’s standout feature is its live study and Q&A sessions. Every ISSA student and graduate we know talks about this as the highlight of their experience when asked about their certification. Most of us love a good online course with the ability to learn from our PJs, but nothing beats live interaction with other living human beings who are equally passionate about what you’re all doing. 

Our other favorite part of ISSA’s certification is its commitment to diversity. Nutrition often gets painted into a little box of “eat this, don’t eat that.” Nobody talks about what to do if a person’s religious or worldview discourages them from eating something, or how socioeconomic status keeps people from eating the way science says they should. ISSA steps up to the plate and addresses all of it, from culture to economics, and religion to food hypersensitivities. ISSA is the certification for a worldwide population. 

ISSA’s Nutrition course is available for a one-time payment of $529.30 (with their current promotion) or through a 12-month payment plan, making it far less than AFPA’s program. If you don’t mind the loss of practice client sessions and are okay with a textbook, this is our top pick for both quality and affordability. The course is also approved by the European Register of Exercise Professionals (EREPS) for continuing education credits.

Who it’s for: The fitness professional who wants to change the world without breaking the bank.

3. It’s a tie! NASM Certified Nutrition Coach and ACE Fitness Nutrition Specialist

This was a hard one. Two big-name organizations, both with great programs, but both are missing the complete package.

NASM Certified Nutrition Coach

Starting with the National Academy of Sports Medicine, we know they have a great reputation and churn out fantastic professionals. Their Certified Nutrition Coach (CNC) is their #2 most popular program, and there’s no doubt why. It’s a science-heavy course that gets into the nitty-gritty of nutrition science. You’ll learn all the details of nutritional components and how they impact the body. But then it falls short. 

Of all the programs we reviewed, NASM had the least practical application. It teaches you to be super smart, but not as much about how to help the client standing in front of you. Although the course is broken into three sections, and two of them are on behavior change and coaching, the information seemed standard when compared to other certifications. It seemed like a lot that you might glean from a personal training certification, rather than new or unique information. 

So if you don’t have a background in personal training or coaching, this will provide you with great information, but if you already know the basics of behavior change and coaching, this course might come up short.

Little information is provided on their website about how the course is structured or presented, except that it is administered online. The course takes as few as 4 weeks to complete, which could be a red or a green flag, depending on how you interpret it. If you want a fast cert, 4 weeks is great, but if you want more quality and depth, a program that’s estimated to take 6 months might give you more bang for your buck. Currently, NASM’s CNC course is available with a $49/month, 12 month payment plan. It is eligible for continuing education credits through AFAA, ACE, CIMSPA, and EREPS, but must be renewed every 2 years to maintain the certification.

Who It’s For: The personal trainer who gets asked an occasional nutrition question.

ACE Fitness Nutrition Specialist

Contrasting this program with ACE’s Fitness Nutrition Specialist program, ACE goes the completely opposite way of NASM. ACE is well-known for their exceptional behavior change content and training. Their programs highlight lifestyle modification and real world application, which is paramount for nutrition coaching. 

For all it does to help people change their eating habits, it provides less information on the science behind it all. It seems basic at best, without all of the details that other programs offer. Now hear us out, this isn’t always a bad thing. If you’re a professional whose primary profession does not include nutrition, this is a great course to learn the basics and be able to provide simple advice and understanding to your clients. It is a great fit for personal trainers at big box gyms who want to stand out or who get occasional nutrition questions, but don’t offer individual nutrition coaching.

ACE’s course format includes an e-book, podcast, recorded videos, and online quizzes to complete the course. It doesn’t provide the estimated completion time for the course, but based on the program details on their website, it looks to be about inline with NASM. This course is the most inexpensive of all the courses we reviewed, coming in at $297.50 as a single payment. If you prefer a hard copy of their textbook, it ads another $50 to the price tag. Both options are also available with payment plans as well. Bonus: If you have ACE’s Power Pass, you can get the course for free as part of your membership. 

Who It’s For: Fitness professional who wants to add a little more quality to their client interactions.

The Bottom Line

Each of these certifications excel in their own right. AFPA offers the best real world experience. ISSA is top-of-the-line for quality content. NASM and ACE offer the best of the best in science and behavior change, respectively. What it comes down to is your individual needs. If nutrition is a big part of your career (or you want it to be), choose a more intensive program like AFPA or ISSA. If you need a lightweight option for the occasional question, NASM or ACE are another great go-to option. Whichever direction you head, you can rest assured, knowing you and your clients will be better for it.