Accreditation Levels
Certificate in Applied Sports Nutrition
The Sports Nutrition Association Provisional Process
This is for those who are not currently studying a degree or have completed a relevant exercise or Nutrition Science degree.
Study your Certificate in Applied Sports Nutrition with the Sports Nutrition Association
Become Insured and Registered to practice as an Accredited Sports Nutritionist for 3 years while keeping your skills current with annual CPD
After the 3 year provisional period either undertake additional study to be openly accredited to cease working as a sports nutritionist.
The reason that the Association is one of a kind and able to make this possible is due to its policy and pathways for continuing education and experience development which our members highly value.
What is the 3-year provisional period?
The 3-year provisional period is a period where we focus on developing the experience of the professional member through time in the role, annual CPD support and access to the most current available research.
During this period the member will be able to ascertain if this is the career path for them, and for a small percentage of people it won’t be, and that is perfectly fine. This way they’ve been able to work this out without having to spend 4+ years at university and 50k+ on tuition fees, comparatively they’ve invested a minimum of 5-7 months and 4k for the certificate.
During or at the completion of this period the member will have been able to establish whether this is thecareer for them, as well as continually gaining experience along the way.
Once they have made the decision that they want to become an Openly Accredited Sports Nutritionist & Professional member the Association requires that they enrol in and complete either of the following programs:
A relevant* Bachelors in Applied Exercise, Sports or Nutrition Sciences / Physiology
A relevant* PGDip. In Applied Sports / Performance or Human / Clinical Nutrition
Continued study is to ensure that you have the knowledge to provide the best service to your clients.
The Association has many private institutes and universities that it affiliates with and graduates of the certificate are either granted immediate entry into, or afforded favourable applications to certain PGDip and Bachelors programs.
As such, study timeframes and costs to become Openly Accredited can range from 9-months and 3.5k (3 recommended programs) through to 3-4 years and 40k+ (10+ other programs) with MSc and PHD programs adding more time and expense. The Association has no preference as to which program the member elects to go in.
What is the 3-year provisional period?
A relevant* Bachelors in Applied Exercise, Sports or Nutrition Sciences / Physiology
A relevant* PGDip. In Applied Sports / Performance or Human / Clinical Nutrition
If you want to work in a client centric sector you need to embody that the learning never stops and be excited in knowing your skills will be continually developed!
Why not just stop at the Certificate?
To Provide the absolute best service for your clients.
Experience, Education & constant Progression of these.
Find out if this is the field for you without committing yourself to a 4 year degree.
These values are ones that we want all current, future & aspiring members to hold. You should want the very best for your clients, and a part of this is understanding that you don’t know everything.
As a result, respect & consideration for the sound education and experience required to provide your clients with your best is held, along with an understanding that anything less than those will only limit your ability to help them, is a paramount foundation. Understanding and accepting that anything less is not in the best interest of the public or your clients, and is ultimately a ‘quick fix’. The exact thing you tell your clients to be wary of.
It is the Association’s position that the Certificate Program, and Accreditation Pathway is not for those looking for a ‘quick fix’, and to make them aware that any claims for ‘quicker’ and ‘easier’ pathways are illegitimate and leave both the client exposed and the coach liable as they are not insured and adequately qualified for the services they are providing. ‘Hobby’ courses, program & workshops are not legitimate education or professional registration.