NASM Nutrition Certification UPDATED
SCRIPT 2026 PRACTICE SOLUTIONS
GRADED A+
● Registered Dietitian Nutritionist (RDN). Answer: An RDN has earned
at least a Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university, had
their course work approved by the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics'
Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics
(ACEND), fulfilled hundreds of hours of supervised dietetic services in
a variety of professional settings, and passed a national exam provided
by the Commission on Dietetics and Registration (CDR).
● Scope of Practice. Answer: The actions, procedures, and processes
that a professional is allowed to undertake in keeping with the terms of
the professional's license or credential.
● Nutritionist. Answer: A generic term for someone who provides
nutritional advice or counseling. A nutritionist is not necessarily a
licensed health care professional and certainly should not portray
themselves as such.
● A Nutrition Coach CANNOT:. Answer: -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 any way, 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).
● A Nutrition Coach CAN:. Answer: -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.
SCRIPT 2026 PRACTICE SOLUTIONS
GRADED A+
● Registered Dietitian Nutritionist (RDN). Answer: An RDN has earned
at least a Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university, had
their course work approved by the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics'
Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics
(ACEND), fulfilled hundreds of hours of supervised dietetic services in
a variety of professional settings, and passed a national exam provided
by the Commission on Dietetics and Registration (CDR).
● Scope of Practice. Answer: The actions, procedures, and processes
that a professional is allowed to undertake in keeping with the terms of
the professional's license or credential.
● Nutritionist. Answer: A generic term for someone who provides
nutritional advice or counseling. A nutritionist is not necessarily a
licensed health care professional and certainly should not portray
themselves as such.
● A Nutrition Coach CANNOT:. Answer: -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 any way, 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).
● A Nutrition Coach CAN:. Answer: -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.
