Frequently asked questions

The American Clinical Board of Nutrition (ACBN) is a professional certification organization acting in the public interest by establishing education, examination, experience, and ethics requirements for certification.

DACBN stands for Diplomate of the American Clinical Board of Nutrition.

National Commission for Certifying Agencies (NCCA) accreditation was formed in 1977 to develop standards of excellence for voluntary certification programs in healthcare professions.

The Institute for Credentialing Excellence, or I.C.E., is a professional membership association that provides education, networking, and other resources for organizations and individuals who work in and serve the credentialing industry.

A diplomate is a person who holds a certification, and in the case of the American Clinical Board of Nutrition (ACBN), it is a doctor who has passed their examination after completing all prerequisites required to sit, including obtaining a doctorate in a healthcare field, 300 postdoctoral hours in clinical nutrition, and writing an article for clinical nutrition that has been accepted for publication in a peer-reviewed journal.

Yes, one of the two prerequisites for applying to become a DACBN is to hold a doctoral degree in a healthcare field. Our diplomates have varying degrees including Chiropractic (DC),Medical (MD), Pharmacy (PharmD), Naturopathic Medicine (ND), Optometrist (DO), FoodScience and more.

Any doctoral degree in a healthcare field is eligible to fulfill the prerequisite to take the ACBN examination. Our diplomates have varying degrees such as Chiropractic (DC), Medical (MD),Pharmacy (PharmD), Naturopathic Medicine (ND), and more.

In order to become a DACBN, we require proof of publication of an article on clinical nutrition in a peer-reviewed journal. Board approved peer-reviewed journals include, but are not limited to: Nutritional Perspectives, Journal of Nutrition, JMPT, American Journal of Clinical Nutrition,Journal of Chiropractic Medicine, Nutrition Reviews, etc.

We have a short set of sample exam questions to show the domains and style of questions used. You can also find suggested reference materials and the list of domains that are covered, under the Apply section of the website

We do not offer reciprocity between programs, but prerequisites that are required for them may also qualify for the ACBN.

If you are fully retired from practice, you can transition to Emeritus status. Emeritus diplomates have a reduced annual recertification requirement. Our board and staff go through a vetting process to ensure that a doctor is indeed fully retired.

If a DACBN does not submit their annual requirements they will be decertified. State boardsand the diplomate will be notified of the decertification, and the DACBN must remove all use ofthe active status from their practice. If a decertified DACBN is interested in gaining status again,they need to complete the full application, fee, and exam process.