Candidates choosing the Live Workshop program must comply with the refund and continuing education policy. Space is limited so pre-registration is required. A $10 late fee is added for registrations received 10 days prior to the class date. A refund is given for cancellations with 30 days notice prior to the live workshop date; however, a charge of $50 will be applied for handling/shipping charges. Additional charges will be applied for materials not returned. All returned items must be in “saleable” condition. All other cancellations will be credited toward future workshops. A $50 charge will be applied for changing/switching course dates. A 24-hour notice is required for any credit toward future workshops. Should fewer than 10 candidates register for a workshop, AASDN retains the right to cancel the workshop. Those affected will be notified no later than 14 days before the workshop date and offered the opportunity to transfer to a different site at no additional cost; obtain a refund; or switch to the home study course. AASDN is not responsible for expenses incurred by a candidate due to a canceled workshop. No-shows who do not arrive at the workshop and who do not cancel or transfer their registrations will forfeit the registration fee. Should they wish to take the workshop at a later date they will need to register again and pay the full registration fee. AASDN is committed to attaining and maintaining high standards as a continuing education provider. Therefore, students must attend the entire workshop to receive continuing education.

• Be sure to read the candidate policy in the Candidate Handbook and the Nutrition Specialist Certification Exam Study Guide before proceeding.

• All the information required to pass the Nutrition Specialist exam can be found in the 9^th Edition of the Nutrition for Professionals Textbook.  It is recommended that you familiarize yourself the information contained in the Textbook prior to taking the exam.

• The AASDN Nutrition Specialist Certification Exam Study Guide includes study questions and answers for each of the 5 performance domains, and also includes assignments designed to reinforce the skills needed to successfully pass the exam. Click here to purchase the AASDN Nutrition Specialist Certification Exam Study Guide.

• You also have the option to purchase a practice exam. Click here to purchase the AASDN “Nutrition Specialist Practice Exam”.

• Once you are prepared to take the exam, you must complete the online “REGISTER FOR THE EXAM”.

• Upon receipt by AASDN of your completed “Register for the Exam” form, you will be sent an email with a Nutrition Specialist ID number, along with details on how to enter the exam site.

• You will have 6 months from the date of receipt of your Nutrition Specialist ID number to complete the exam.

• Once you have logged into the exam site, you will have three hours to complete the exam.  You will not be able to leave the exam site and re-enter.  At the end of the three hours you will receive a warning that your time has expired.

• Upon completion of the exam you will receive immediate results. A temporary certificate will be issued immediately upon successful completion of the exam along with details on how to enter the NS Member website. “Printable” certificates will be mailed within 21 days of successful completion of the exam.

• The AASDN Nutrition Specialist Exam is an online, open book exam and is designed to test the ability of the Candidate to find and apply information and knowledge, and problem solve. Hence, Candidates are allowed access to the Nutrition for Professionals Textbook, other textbooks, and study materials during the exam and are allowed up to 3 hours for completion of the exam.
• Candidate must complete the exam within 6 months from the date of the receipt by AASDN of the Nutrition Specialist ID number. Candidates have the option to apply for an extension in writing. To avoid forfeiture, candidates are able to extend their exam deadline for an additional 90 days from the expiration date. Candidates that fail to apply for an extension will nullify certification candidacy. Extension requests must be approved prior to the 6 month expiration date. A $50 extension fee to extend the examination deadline must be purchased. Only one extension may be purchased. The extension period will begin from the 6 month expiration date through an additional 90 days. Extensions can be purchased online at www.aasdn.org (click on “Store” and then on “Nutrition Specialist Exam”).
• Candidates are expected to conduct themselves in an ethical manner while completing the exam.
• Candidates are not allowed to share, discuss, in any form or manner the contents of the AASDN Nutrition Specialist Certification Exam. Candidates must complete the exam on their own and are not allowed to discuss questions with other candidates.
• Sharing of any information contained the AASDN Nutrition Specialist Exam is in direct violation of Federal Copyright laws governing AASDN published materials. Violations of the confidentiality agreement will result in suspension or revocation of the AASDN Nutrition Specialist Certification. To maintain security and integrity of the AASDN Nutrition Specialist Exam, examination materials are not available for review. Exam questions and content are not available for review. AASDN will not discuss exam questions with the candidate or third parties.
• Candidates must receive a score of 75 or greater to pass the exam.
• Candidates receive immediate scores upon completion of the exam. A temporary certificate is issued immediately upon successful completion of the exam along with details on how to enter the NS Member website. “Printable” certificates will be mailed within 21 days of successful completion of the exam.
• Candidates may be refused the Nutrition Specialist Certification if: he/she obtained or attempted to obtain the certification by fraud, deception or artifice; knowingly assisted in obtaining or attempting to obtain certification by fraud, deception or artifice; illegally used or falsified certification certificate, credential or any other AASDN document; knowingly obtained or received unauthorized possession and/or distribution of any official Nutrition Specialist testing materials which included copying, reproducing in any manner any part of the Nutrition Specialist exam which includes AASDN or certification logos. Candidates may be refused the Nutrition Specialist certification if the completed exam does not adhere to details specified.
• To maintain the security and integrity of the exam, exam materials are not available for review. Candidates may send written appeal to the AASDN-BOC. Address all appeals to the address on the AASDN website (www.aasdn.org).  Requests must be made no later than 30 days following the release of the examination results. Requests received later than 30 days will not be processed. AASDN-CC will provide a response to appeals within 60 days of receipt of written appeal. Decisions by the AASDN-CC will be considered final.
• Candidates that do not pass the exam may reapply after a 60 day waiting period. There is a $125 fee associated with retaking the exam. Candidates that do not pass the exam a second time may not reapply for 6 months and must begin the candidacy procedure again and pay full fees.
• Exam purchases and extensions are nonrefundable.