Board Certified Sports Nutrition Specialist (BCSNS)

The Board Certified Sports Nutrition Specialist (BCSNS) credential is awarded to professionals who demonstrate advanced competence in the science and application of sports and performance nutrition. Open to both clinical and non-clinical practitioners, this certification reflects expertise in optimizing physical performance, supporting athletic recovery, and promoting long-term health through tailored nutrition strategies.

The certification exam covers essential domains such as energy metabolism during exercise, macronutrient planning, hydration strategies, dietary supplements, nutrition periodization, and recovery nutrition. Candidates are also assessed on their ability to design personalized nutrition programs based on sport type, training cycle, and individual athlete needs. BCSNS highlights a commitment to ethical, evidence-based guidance in the field of performance nutrition.

Exam Outline

Domain 01: Exercise Physiology and Energy Systems (15%)
Covers the fundamentals of energy metabolism during exercise, including aerobic and anaerobic systems, energy availability, and the physiological demands of different types of physical activity (endurance, resistance, high-intensity interval training).

Domain 02: Macronutrients and Micronutrients in Athletic Performance (15%)
Focuses on the roles and timing of carbohydrates, proteins, and fats in performance, recovery, and body composition, along with micronutrient needs in physically active populations.

Domain 03: Hydration and Electrolyte Management (10%)
Addresses fluid balance, sweat rate, electrolyte requirements, dehydration risk, and strategies for pre-, during-, and post-exercise hydration.

Domain 04: Nutrition Assessment and Program Design for Athletes (20%)
Covers dietary intake analysis, body composition evaluation, energy needs estimation, and the creation of individualized performance-focused nutrition plans tailored to training and competition schedules.

Domain 05: Supplement Use in Sports Nutrition (10%)
Evaluates the safety, efficacy, and legality of common dietary supplements and ergogenic aids used by athletes. Includes creatine, caffeine, beta-alanine, and protein powders.

Domain 06: Nutrition Strategies for Specific Athletic Populations (15%)
Focuses on special considerations for athletes by age, gender, sport type, and training cycle. Includes youth athletes, female athletes, weight-class sports, and plant-based athletes.

Domain 07: Nutrition for Recovery, Injury, and Adaptation (10%)
Covers evidence-based strategies to support muscle recovery, minimize inflammation, promote tissue repair, and adapt to training loads through proper nutrition.

Domain 08: Professional Practice, Ethics, and Doping Regulations (5%)
Addresses the ethical use of supplements, anti-doping guidelines (e.g., WADA), and the scope of practice for sports nutrition professionals.

Recommended Resources

Recommended Core Texts:

Sports Nutrition: A Handbook for Professionals, 6th Edition
Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics (AND)
A foundational resource that integrates evidence-based sports nutrition principles with practical guidance for working with athletes at all levels.
NSCA’s Guide to Sport and Exercise Nutrition, 2nd Edition
National Strength and Conditioning Association – Human Kinetics
Combines exercise physiology with applied nutrition strategies for athletic performance, including nutrient timing, supplementation, and hydration.
Nutrition and Metabolism in Sports, Exercise and Health, 2nd Edition
Edited by Jie Kang – Routledge
A detailed academic reference that bridges biochemical concepts with nutrition needs in training, recovery, and high-performance sport.

Supplemental Resources:

Essentials of Sports Nutrition and Supplements
Edited by Jose Antonio, Douglas Kalman, Jeffrey R. Stout – Springer
Comprehensive coverage of dietary supplements and ergogenic aids, including mechanisms of action and safety profiles.
Precision Nutrition Level 1 Textbook
Precision Nutrition
A practical, client-centered resource that blends behavioral coaching with foundational sports nutrition knowledge.
International Society of Sports Nutrition (ISSN) Position Papers
ISSN
Peer-reviewed papers on protein intake, hydration, creatine, caffeine, and other key performance topics used by sports dietitians and coaches globally.