To become a licensed nutritionist in North Carolina, you need a master’s or doctoral degree in nutrition or a related field, complete 1,000 hours of supervised practice experience, and pass the Certified Nutrition Specialist (CNS) exam offered by the Board for Certification of Nutrition Specialists (BCNS). The NC Board of Dietetics/Nutrition oversees licensing, with initial fees starting at $213.
The North Carolina Board of Dietetics/Nutrition (NCBDN) is the agency responsible for protecting the health, safety, and welfare of North Carolina citizens from harmful nutrition practices through the regulation and licensing of dietitians and nutritionists. The Dietetics/Nutrition Practice Act became effective on November 1, 1991, and was amended in 2018. The first dietitians and nutritionists were licensed by June 1992.
According to the Commission on Dietetic Registration, there were 3,948 Registered Dietitians (RDs) and Registered Dietitian Nutritionists (RDNs) in North Carolina as of June 2025. If you’re interested in pursuing the registered dietitian pathway instead, view how to become a registered dietitian in North Carolina.
Effective January 1, 2019, registered dietitians and nutritionists may enroll in Medicaid or the NC Health Choice program to provide and bill for services for pregnant women and beneficiaries under 21 years old. These services include medical nutrition therapy, initial assessment and intervention, and re-assessment with clients.
Here’s your complete guide to becoming a licensed nutritionist in North Carolina.
Follow the step-by-step process or choose the situation that best describes you:
- Complete Nutritionist Education Requirements in North Carolina
- Gain Required Supervised Experience
- Pass the Certified Nutrition Specialist Examination
- Submit Your License Application
- Explore Career Opportunities and Specializations
- Maintain Your License and Continuing Education
- Alternative Path: Becoming a Health Coach in North Carolina
Complete Nutritionist Education Requirements in North Carolina
To become a licensed nutritionist in North Carolina, you must hold a master’s or doctoral degree from an accredited institution in one of the following major fields:
The following bachelors and Master’s programs offer career-focused instruction delivered by trained nutritionists with experience in the field. Find out more what each individual course of study offers through the locations below.
Purdue Global's Bachelor of Science in Nutrition Program is an approved holistic nutrition education program through the National Association of Nutrition Professionals (NANP).
Arizona State University - Online offers an Online Masters in Medical Nutrition
The University of Texas at Austin offers an Online Master of Science in Nutritional Sciences.
Grand Canyon University offers an M.S. in Nutrition and Dietetics.
UNC's MPH Nutrition concentration prepares students to provide, evaluate and communicate nutritional and dietary guidance that improves individual and population-wide health outcomes. In addition to developing their knowledge of nutrition science, students will explore behavior change, communication, counseling and the effects of dietary culture on individuals and communities.
Walden University's Bachelor of Science (B.S.) in Health Studies - Health Promotion and Wellness gains job-ready, immediately applicable skills today's employers want.
- Human nutrition
- Food and nutrition
- Dietetics
- Community nutrition
- Public health nutrition
- Nutrition education
- Nutrition science
- Clinical nutrition
- Applied clinical nutrition
- Nutrition counseling
- Nutrition and functional medicine
- Nutritional biochemistry
- Nutrition and integrative health
- An equivalent course of study in a field of clinical health care
Regardless of the degree you hold, your coursework must include specific requirements:
| Coursework Category | Minimum Hours Required | Specific Requirements |
|---|---|---|
| Clinical or Life Sciences | 15 semester hours | At least 3 semester hours in human anatomy and physiology |
| Nutrition and Metabolism | 15 semester hours | At least 6 semester hours in biochemistry |
Accredited Nutrition Programs in North Carolina
The following bachelor’s and master’s programs offer career-focused instruction delivered by trained nutritionists with experience in the field. These programs can help you meet North Carolina’s educational requirements. Explore accredited nutrition degree programs to find the best fit for your career goals.
Gain Required Supervised Experience
A prospective licensed nutritionist in North Carolina must complete a Board-approved internship or supervised practice in nutrition services totaling at least 1,000 hours. This experience must include:
| Experience Category | Minimum Hours | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Nutrition Assessment | 200 hours | Evaluating nutritional status and developing care plans |
| Nutrition Intervention, Education, Counseling, or Management | 200 hours | Implementing nutrition care and educating clients |
| Nutrition Monitoring or Evaluation | 200 hours | Tracking progress and adjusting nutrition plans |
| Additional Experience | 400 hours | Various nutrition-related activities to reach 1,000 total hours |
Qualified Supervisors
Your supervised practice experience must be gained under the supervision of one of the following qualified professionals:
- Certified Nutrition Specialist (CNS)
- Diplomate of the American Clinical Board of Nutrition
- Registered Dietitian Nutritionist (RDN)
- Licensed dietitian/nutritionist
- State-licensed health care practitioner with a scope of practice including dietetics or nutrition
- A person with a doctoral degree in a dietetics or nutrition field
Pass the Certified Nutrition Specialist Examination
Applicants who intend to become licensed nutritionists in North Carolina must pass the Certified Nutrition Specialist (CNS) examination administered by the Board for Certification of Nutrition Specialists (BCNS).
About the CNS Examination
The CNS credential is the nationally recognized standard for advanced nutrition practitioners. The BCNS provides comprehensive resources to help you prepare for the certification exam, including:
- Exam preparation tips and study strategies
- Detailed exam content outline covering all tested domains
- Practice questions and study materials
- Information on exam eligibility and application procedures
The CNS exam assesses your knowledge across key areas of nutrition science, clinical practice, research methods, and professional practice. Thorough preparation using BCNS-provided materials is essential for success.
Submit Your License Application
Applicants who meet the requirements listed above must register and apply online through the NCBDN. Along with the license application and fees, you must include:
- Official transcripts from your accredited graduate program
- Copy of government-issued photo ID
- Proof of CNS certification from BCNS
- Form A-3 Supervised Practice Experience Candidate Report and tracking form
- Form A-4 Supervisor Approval Application
- Form A-5 Supervised Practice Experience Supervisor’s Report
- Form A-6 Coursework Worksheet
License Fees
The fee for an initial license is $213. Licenses must be renewed annually for $75. These fees support the regulatory activities of the NC Board of Dietetics/Nutrition in protecting public health and safety.
Explore Career Opportunities and Specializations
Licensed nutritionist jobs are abundant across North Carolina. The U.S. Department of Labor’s Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts that jobs for nutritionists will increase by 7.4 percent nationwide between 2023 and 2033, outpacing the national average growth rate of 4 percent for all occupations. In North Carolina, the number of jobs in this profession is projected to increase by 16.8 percent between 2022 and 2032.
Recent Nutritionist Job Postings in North Carolina
Recent job postings for licensed nutritionists in North Carolina include:
- Clinical Nutrition Manager – Sodexo, Saxapahaw and Jacksonville
- Nutrition Services Manager – ACTS Retirement Life Communities, Matthews
- School Nutritionist – Davidson County Schools, Lexington
- Patient Food Services Manager – Iredell Health System, Statesville
- WIC Nutritionist – Piedmont Health, Chapel Hill
As a licensed nutritionist in North Carolina, you can work in a diverse range of settings, including hospitals, private practices, schools, community health centers, corporate wellness programs, research institutions, and government agencies.
Maintain Your License and Continuing Education
Licensed nutritionists in North Carolina are required to maintain their CNS certification, which necessitates ongoing professional education. The BCNS requires CNS credential holders to complete 75 continuing education hours every five years to stay current with advances in nutrition science and clinical practice.
North Carolina licensed nutritionists have numerous opportunities to advance the profession through membership and participation in state and national professional associations and organizations, such as:
- School Nutrition Association of North Carolina
- North Carolina Dietetic Association
- North Carolina State SNAP-ED Program
- Down East Partnership for Children
- Food, Fitness, and Opportunity Research Collaborative of the University of North Carolina
These organizations offer continuing education opportunities, networking events, and resources to help you stay current with the latest advancements in nutrition science and best practices in patient care.
North Carolina Nutritionist Salary and Job Market
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, dietitians and nutritionists in North Carolina earned an average salary of $66,540 as of May 2024. For comparison and context on nutritionist salaries nationwide, the profession offers competitive compensation with opportunities for specialization and advancement.
| Metropolitan Area | Number of Jobs | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Charlotte-Concord | 640 | Largest metro area for nutrition jobs |
| Durham-Chapel Hill | 350 | Strong opportunities in academic and research settings |
The combination of strong job growth projections (16.8% through 2032) and competitive salaries makes North Carolina an attractive state for nutrition professionals seeking rewarding careers. Licensed nutritionists with specialized certifications or advanced training often earn salaries above the state average.
Becoming a Health Coach in North Carolina
Health coaches in North Carolina are in demand to guide individual clients toward achieving their personal health goals while helping communities become healthier. This alternative pathway doesn’t require the same licensing as nutritionists but offers rewarding opportunities to impact public health.
North Carolina Health Initiatives
After careful analysis and study, multiple agencies, including the North Carolina Institute of Medicine and the North Carolina Division of Public Health, collaborated in 2011 to develop the Healthy North Carolina 2020 initiative. This initiative identified 13 goals for improving health, with key focus areas including:
- Increasing standards of nutrition and physical activity
- Improving maternal and infant health
- Decreasing tobacco use
- Reducing STDs and unintended pregnancies
- Preventing and reducing substance abuse
- Improving mental health and oral health
- Reducing chronic disease
As a health coach, you can be particularly effective in helping achieve these goals. For example, the nutrition and physical activity segment aims to increase the percentage of North Carolina high school students with a healthy weight from 72 percent to 79 percent, increase adults getting recommended physical activity from 46 percent to 61 percent, and increase adults consuming five or more servings of fruits and vegetables per day from 21 percent to 29 percent.
Degrees and Professional Certification
The field of health coaching is relatively new, and professional credentials are not yet standardized. There are currently no state or national licensing requirements for health coaches; however, employers and clients often prefer concrete credentials, such as a college degree or professional certification.
You can prepare for a health coach career through relevant online and campus-based degree programs in diverse areas, including nursing, nutrition sciences, maternal and child health, exercise physiology, health promotion, exercise and sports science, health behavior, recreation management, athletic training, public health education, and exercise science offered at North Carolina universities.
You may also add a non-degree health coach certification. The American Council on Education (ACE) is currently the only organization accredited through the National Commission for Certifying Agencies (NCCA). ACE offers three certification routes tailored to professional career goals: health coach certification for fitness professionals, health care professionals, and workplace wellness.
Career Paths for Health Coaches
Many successful health coaches run independent businesses once they’ve developed a reputation. In 2014, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported that 23 percent of North Carolina adults were physically inactive, 11 percent had diabetes, and 30 percent were obese. These numbers indicate a strong market for one-on-one health coaching.
ACE estimates that 67 percent of employers identify employee health habits as a top challenge. Many North Carolina companies, in both the public and private sectors, hire health coaches to improve workforce health and reduce costs associated with sick days and lost productivity.
Frequently Asked Questions
What’s the difference between a nutritionist and a registered dietitian in North Carolina?
Both licensed nutritionists and registered dietitians are licensed in North Carolina, but they follow different pathways. Licensed nutritionists pursue CNS certification with a master’s or doctoral degree and pass the BCNS exam, while registered dietitians complete ACEND-accredited programs and pass the CDR exam. Both can provide medical nutrition therapy and are eligible for Medicaid reimbursement in North Carolina.
How long does it take to become a licensed nutritionist in North Carolina?
The timeline typically ranges from 6 to 8 years. This includes completing a bachelor’s degree (4 years), a master’s degree (2 years), supervised practice hours (which can overlap with your degree program), and exam preparation. Some students complete requirements faster through accelerated programs or by accumulating supervised hours during their education.
Can I practice as a nutritionist in North Carolina without a license?
No. North Carolina requires licensure to practice as a nutritionist or use nutrition-related titles. The term “nutritionist” is a legally protected title in North Carolina. The Dietetics/Nutrition Practice Act protects these titles, and practicing without proper licensure is illegal. You must obtain your license through the NC Board of Dietetics/Nutrition before providing nutrition services or using protected titles.
Does North Carolina accept reciprocity for nutritionist licenses from other states?
North Carolina may recognize credentials from other states, but you’ll need to apply through the NCBDN and meet their specific requirements. If you hold a CNS certification, your credential is nationally recognized, which can simplify the process. Contact the NCBDN directly to discuss your specific situation and determine any additional requirements you may need to meet.
Are there online nutrition programs that meet North Carolina’s requirements?
Yes, many accredited universities offer online master’s programs in nutrition that can fulfill North Carolina’s educational requirements. Programs must be from accredited institutions and include the required coursework in clinical sciences, anatomy and physiology, nutrition and metabolism, and biochemistry. Always verify that a program meets NC requirements and prepares you for the CNS exam before enrolling.
What’s the job outlook for licensed nutritionists in North Carolina?
The job outlook is excellent. North Carolina projects a 16.8 percent increase in nutrition jobs between 2022 and 2032, significantly higher than the national average of 7.4 percent. This strong growth, combined with competitive salaries averaging $66,540, makes North Carolina an attractive state for licensed nutrition professionals.
Key Takeaways
- Education: Master’s or doctoral degree required in nutrition or a related field from an accredited institution
- Experience: 1,000 hours of supervised practice, including 200 hours each in assessment, intervention, and monitoring
- Examination: Pass the Certified Nutrition Specialist (CNS) exam offered by BCNS
- License Fees: $213 for initial license, $75 for annual renewal
- Salary: Average $66,540 in North Carolina as of May 2024
- Job Growth: Projected 16.8% increase in NC through 2032, well above the national average
- Medicaid Coverage: Licensed nutritionists have been eligible to bill Medicaid since January 1, 2019
- Protected Title: “Nutritionist” is a legally protected title in North Carolina requiring proper licensure
- Alternative Path: Health coaching offers opportunities without the same licensing requirements
Ready to Start Your Nutrition Career in North Carolina?
Explore accredited nutrition programs in North Carolina that meet licensing requirements. Compare degree options, specializations, and career pathways to find the best fit for your goals. Start your journey toward becoming a licensed nutritionist today.
Find Accredited Nutrition Programs
The following bachelors and Master’s programs offer career-focused instruction delivered by trained nutritionists with experience in the field. Find out more what each individual course of study offers through the locations below.
Purdue Global's Bachelor of Science in Nutrition Program is an approved holistic nutrition education program through the National Association of Nutrition Professionals (NANP).
Arizona State University - Online offers an Online Masters in Medical Nutrition
The University of Texas at Austin offers an Online Master of Science in Nutritional Sciences.
Grand Canyon University offers an M.S. in Nutrition and Dietetics.
UNC's MPH Nutrition concentration prepares students to provide, evaluate and communicate nutritional and dietary guidance that improves individual and population-wide health outcomes. In addition to developing their knowledge of nutrition science, students will explore behavior change, communication, counseling and the effects of dietary culture on individuals and communities.
Walden University's Bachelor of Science (B.S.) in Health Studies - Health Promotion and Wellness gains job-ready, immediately applicable skills today's employers want.
2024 US Bureau of Labor Statistics salary figures and job growth projections for dietitians, nutritionists, and dietetic technicians reflect state and national data, not school-specific information. Conditions in your area may vary—data accessed September 2025.
