Top 10 WIC Nutritionist Certifications

Certifications for a WIC Nutritionist are important in the job market because they demonstrate a commitment to professional development and expertise. They provide employers with evidence of a nutritionist’s knowledge and skills, helping them to make informed decisions about who to hire. Certifications also help nutritionists stand out from other applicants, as they are seen as having gone above and beyond the basic requirements for their profession. Finally, certifications can open up more career opportunities and higher salaries, as employers may be willing to offer more competitive wages for certified professionals than those without such credentials.

The purpose of this article is to provide an overview of the top certifications for WIC Nutritionists and explain how they can help advance a nutritionist's career.

What are WIC Nutritionist Certifications?

WIC Nutritionist Certification is a professional certification offered by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) to health professionals who provide nutrition education and counseling to participants in the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children (WIC). This certification ensures that WIC nutritionists are knowledgeable about nutrition science and qualified to help WIC participants make informed food choices.

WIC nutritionists play an important role in promoting healthy eating habits for families participating in the WIC program. The expertise of a certified WIC nutritionist can help families understand the importance of good nutrition and how to shop for healthy foods on a limited budget. Certified WIC nutritionists also provide personalized guidance on meal planning, grocery shopping, and food preparation techniques that meet individual needs. They can also offer advice on how to increase physical activity levels and other lifestyle changes that will help improve overall health.

By becoming certified as a WIC nutritionist, professionals can demonstrate their commitment to helping families adopt healthier lifestyles through proper diet and exercise. This certification allows them to work more closely with clients, build trust with them, and ultimately help them make healthier dietary choices over the long term.

Pro tip: Make sure to stay up-to-date with the latest WIC nutritionist certification requirements. Many states have specific guidelines that must be met in order to become certified. Additionally, consider taking a refresher course or additional training to stay current with the most recent information and techniques available.

Related: What does a WIC Nutritionist do?

Top 10 WIC Nutritionist Certifications

Here’s our list of the best certifications available to WIC Nutritionists today.

1. Certified Lactation Counselor (CLC)

A Certified Lactation Counselor (CLC) is a health care professional who has been trained to help mothers and their families with breastfeeding. The CLC provides education, counseling, and support to mothers before, during, and after the birth of their baby.

The CLC credential is offered by the Academy of Lactation Policy & Practice (ALPP). To become certified as a lactation counselor, applicants must meet certain educational requirements and pass an exam. Applicants must have completed at least 30 hours of lactation-specific coursework or training from an ALPP approved provider. They must also have at least 10 hours of supervised clinical experience in providing breastfeeding support services.

Once all requirements are met, applicants can register for the CLC exam which is administered online through Prometric Testing Centers. The cost for the exam is $200 USD. After passing the exam, applicants will receive their certification from ALPP which is valid for five years.

The cost for obtaining the CLC credential varies depending on the type of coursework or training taken to meet the educational requirements. Courses can range from free online courses to more expensive in-person seminars or workshops.

2. Certified Nutrition Support Clinician (CNSC)

A Certified Nutrition Support Clinician (CNSC) is a healthcare professional who has specialized knowledge and experience in nutrition support therapy. This certification is offered through the National Board of Nutrition Support Certification (NBNSC).

It typically takes about 6-12 months to complete the requirements for this certification, including completing an approved course of study, passing the CNSC exam, and obtaining clinical experience. The course of study can be completed through a variety of accredited institutions, such as universities or colleges.

To get certified, individuals must first apply to take the CNSC exam. This application requires proof of completion of an approved course of study and verification of clinical experience. Once accepted, applicants must pass the CNSC exam with a score of at least 75%.

The cost for taking the CNSC exam varies depending on the institution offering it. Generally speaking, it costs around $500 to take the exam and obtain certification.

3. Certified Dietitian/Nutritionist (CDN)

A Certified Dietitian/Nutritionist (CDN) is a professional who has completed an accredited nutrition program and passed the national examination administered by the Commission on Dietetic Registration (CDR). CDNs are experts in food and nutrition who provide evidence-based advice to help individuals make informed decisions about their health.

It typically takes 4 years of college or university education to become a CDN. This includes completing a bachelor’s degree in nutrition or dietetics, as well as completing an accredited supervised practice program. After completing these requirements, individuals must pass the CDR exam to become certified.

To become a CDN, individuals must first complete an accredited degree program and supervised practice program in dietetics or nutrition. After this, they must register with the Commission on Dietetic Registration (CDR) and pay a fee of $200. Once registered, they can take the national exam which consists of multiple choice questions and costs $200 for members of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics and $300 for non-members.

The cost for becoming a CDN will vary depending on individual circumstances such as where you live, what type of school you attend, etc., but it can range from around $2,000-$10,000 USD.

4. Certified Health Education Specialist (CHES)

Certified Health Education Specialists (CHES) are professionals who have met the standards set by the National Commission for Health Education Credentialing (NCHEC). CHES are qualified to provide health education services in a variety of settings, including schools, hospitals, government agencies, and private businesses.

In order to become certified as a CHES, individuals must meet certain educational and work experience requirements. They must have earned at least a bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university in health education or a related field (such as public health, community health education, or health promotion). Additionally, they must have completed at least 25 hours of continuing education in the field of health education within the past five years. Finally, they must have at least two years of full-time professional practice experience in the field of health education.

The process to become certified as a CHES typically takes about six months. Individuals must first submit an application with their educational transcripts and proof of work experience. Once their application has been approved by NCHEC, they will be eligible to take the CHES exam. The exam is administered twice each year and consists of 150 multiple choice questions covering topics such as program planning and evaluation; communication; social and behavioral sciences; environmental health; nutrition; physical activity; safety and emergency preparedness; mental and emotional well-being; sexual health; substance use prevention; and cultural competency.

The cost for certification is $225 for NCHEC members ($275 for non-members) plus any applicable taxes/fees. This fee covers both the application fee and exam fee. Once individuals successfully complete the exam, they will receive their official CHES credential from NCHEC.

5. Certified Diabetes Educator (CDE)

A Certified Diabetes Educator (CDE) is a healthcare professional who specializes in helping people with diabetes manage their condition. They are knowledgeable about the latest treatments and technologies, and can provide individualized advice on how to best manage diabetes. CDEs work with individuals, families, and communities to develop strategies for proper nutrition, physical activity, medication management, stress reduction, and other lifestyle changes that can help improve overall health.

To become a Certified Diabetes Educator (CDE), you must meet certain educational requirements and pass an exam administered by the National Certification Board for Diabetes Educators (NCBDE). The educational requirements vary depending on your profession; nurses, dietitians, pharmacists, exercise physiologists, optometrists and physicians all have different paths to becoming certified. Generally speaking, you will need at least two years of experience working with patients with diabetes before you can take the certification exam.

The cost of the certification exam varies depending on your profession. Nurses pay $395 for the initial application fee plus $300 for the exam fee; dietitians pay $295 for the initial application fee plus $200 for the exam fee; pharmacists pay $295 for the initial application fee plus $200 for the exam fee; exercise physiologists pay $195 for the initial application fee plus $100 for the exam fee; optometrists pay $195 for the initial application fee plus $100 for the exam fee; and physicians pay a flat rate of $495.

Once you have met all of the educational requirements and passed your certification exam, you will be officially recognized as a Certified Diabetes Educator (CDE). This designation is valid indefinitely and requires no additional fees or exams to maintain it.

6. Board Certified Specialist in Pediatric Nutrition (BCSPN)

Board Certified Specialist in Pediatric Nutrition (BCSPN) is a certification offered by the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics that recognizes registered dietitians who have achieved advanced knowledge and experience in pediatric nutrition. This certification demonstrates expertise in providing evidence-based nutrition care to infants, children, and adolescents.

In order to become board certified, applicants must meet certain eligibility requirements, including having a minimum of 1,000 hours of supervised practice experience in pediatric nutrition within the past five years. Applicants must also pass an exam consisting of 200 multiple-choice questions related to pediatric nutrition topics.

The process typically takes 6-12 months from start to finish. The cost for the BCSPN exam is $400 for members of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics and $600 for non-members. Once certified, individuals must complete 75 continuing professional education credits every five years to maintain their certification.

7. Registered Dietitian Nutritionist (RDN)

A Registered Dietitian Nutritionist (RDN) is a health professional who has met the educational and professional requirements set forth by the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics. RDNs are trained to provide evidence-based nutrition advice, counseling, and education to individuals, families, and groups in order to improve their overall health. RDNs must have at least a bachelor's degree in nutrition or dietetics from an accredited college or university, complete an accredited supervised practice program, and pass a national registration exam to become a registered dietitian nutritionist.

It typically takes 4 years to get an undergraduate degree in nutrition or dietetics, plus 1 year of supervised practice experience. After that, you must take the Commission on Dietetic Registration (CDR) examination which costs $200 for members of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics ($300 for non-members). Once you pass this exam, you will be officially credentialed as a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist (RDN).

The cost of obtaining an RDN credential varies depending on factors such as tuition fees for your undergraduate degree program, the cost of books and materials related to your studies, any fees associated with your supervised practice program, as well as the fee for taking the CDR exam.

8. International Board Certified Lactation Consultant (IBCLC)

An International Board Certified Lactation Consultant (IBCLC) is a health care professional who specializes in the clinical management of breastfeeding and human lactation. IBCLCs are certified by the International Board of Lactation Consultant Examiners (IBLCE) and must meet rigorous education, experience, and examination requirements.

The process to become an IBCLC takes approximately two years to complete. To become an IBCLC, you must first meet the eligibility requirements set by the IBLCE. These include having completed 90 hours of lactation-specific education, having a minimum of 500 hours of clinical practice in lactation counseling within the past five years, and passing an exam administered by the IBLCE.

Once you have met the eligibility requirements for certification, you can register for the exam with the IBLCE. The cost for registering for the exam is $395 USD plus any applicable taxes or fees. After successfully completing your exam, you will receive your official IBCLC certification from the IBLCE.

In addition to becoming certified as an IBCLC, many health care professionals may also choose to pursue additional certifications or specializations in specific areas such as breastfeeding medicine or neonatal nutrition. These additional certifications may require additional coursework and/or examinations depending on their specialty area.

9. Certified Food and Nutrition Professional (CFNP)

Certified Food and Nutrition Professional (CFNP) is a professional certification program offered by the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics (AND). It is designed to recognize individuals who have achieved a high level of expertise in the field of nutrition and food service management. The CFNP credential is recognized as a mark of excellence in this field, and it can help you advance your career in nutrition and food service management.

The CFNP certification requires that applicants meet certain educational requirements, pass an exam, and complete continuing education credits every five years. To qualify for the CFNP certification, applicants must have at least a bachelor's degree in nutrition or dietetics from an accredited college or university, or have completed an AND-approved post-baccalaureate program in dietetics. Additionally, applicants must have completed at least 1,200 hours of supervised practice experience within the past five years.

To obtain the CFNP certification, applicants must first submit an application to the AND along with all required documents. Once approved, applicants will be eligible to take the CFNP exam which consists of 170 multiple choice questions covering topics such as medical nutrition therapy, foodservice systems management, public health nutrition and more. The exam fee is $200 USD for members of AND and $300 USD for non-members.

Once you pass the exam, you will receive your official certificate from AND indicating that you are now a Certified Food and Nutrition Professional (CFNP). This certificate will need to be renewed every five years by completing continuing education credits to maintain your credential status.

10. American Society for Nutrition Certification Program (ASNCP)

The American Society for Nutrition Certification Program (ASNCP) is a professional certification program designed to recognize nutrition professionals who have demonstrated excellence in their field. The ASNCP offers two levels of certification: Certified Nutrition Professional (CNP) and Registered Dietitian Nutritionist (RDN).

To become a CNP, applicants must have at least a bachelor's degree in nutrition or related field, with at least two years of professional experience. To become an RDN, applicants must have completed an accredited dietetic internship program and passed the Commission on Dietetic Registration exam.

The process of becoming certified typically takes between six months and one year. Applicants must first submit an application, including proof of education and experience, to the ASNCP. Once approved, they will be required to complete a comprehensive exam, which consists of multiple-choice questions about nutrition science and practice. After passing the exam, applicants will receive their certification from the ASNCP.

The cost for certification varies depending on the type of certification sought. For CNPs, the cost is $350; for RDNs, it is $450. These fees cover the application fee, exam fee, and certificate fee.

Do You Really Need a WIC Nutritionist Certificate?

When it comes to nutrition, the answer is always yes. In order to provide adequate nutrition education services and ensure that families are receiving the proper resources, a WIC Nutritionist Certificate is essential. This certificate provides a comprehensive understanding of nutrition and how to provide appropriate education and resources for families who participate in the Women, Infants and Children (WIC) supplemental nutrition program.

The WIC Nutritionist Certificate is also beneficial for those who are employed in healthcare settings such as hospitals, clinics, or doctor’s offices. These professionals may be required to provide nutritional advice or assistance to patients or families, which may require knowledge of WIC programs and their requirements. The certificate will give them the necessary knowledge base to do so effectively.

In addition to providing an understanding of nutrition and WIC programs, a WIC Nutritionist Certificate will also provide individuals with the skills needed for working with a variety of clients. This includes learning how to assess dietary needs, develop individualized meal plans, counsel individuals on healthy eating habits, and much more. With these skills, individuals can help ensure that families have access to the best possible nutritional support available through the WIC program.

Overall, obtaining a WIC Nutritionist Certificate is an important step for anyone looking to work in any capacity with those participating in the Women, Infants and Children Program. It provides valuable knowledge on nutrition as well as essential skills necessary for providing counseling services that support better health outcomes for participants in this important program.

Related: WIC Nutritionist Resume Examples

FAQs About WIC Nutritionist Certifications

1. What is the WIC Nutritionist Certification?

Answer: The WIC Nutritionist Certification is a credential that is awarded to individuals who have successfully completed approved training and demonstrated their knowledge of nutrition and dietary needs for women, infants, and children in the WIC program.

2. What qualifications are needed to become a WIC Nutritionist?

Answer: To become a WIC Nutritionist, an individual must have a bachelor's degree in nutrition or dietetics from an accredited college or university, complete at least 900 hours of supervised practice in nutrition counseling and education, pass the Commission on Dietetic Registration (CDR) exam, and complete additional continuing education requirements as outlined by the state.

3. How long does it take to become a certified WIC Nutritionist?

Answer: It typically takes 12-18 months to become a certified WIC Nutritionist after completing all of the necessary requirements for certification.

4. What are the benefits of becoming a certified WIC Nutritionist?

Answer: Benefits of becoming a certified WIC Nutritionist include having access to specialized information about nutrition and health for women, infants, and children; increased job security; enhanced professional credibility; job opportunities; higher salary potential; and more networking opportunities within the field.

5. How much do certified WIC Nutritionists earn?

Answer: Certified WIC Nutritionists can expect to earn an average annual salary between $40,000-$50,000 depending on experience level, geographic location, and other factors.