Per N.C. General Statute § 90-357.5, applicants must hold a degree from a regionally accredited college or university. Many programs may claim to be “accredited” but applicants should be aware that simply being “accredited” does not necessarily equate to regional accreditation. To learn if your granting institution is regionally accredited, please review the following information:
“Regionally Accredited” means the institution is accredited by one of the following regional accrediting bodies:
How can I verify regional accreditation?
We recommend cross-checking in a few different ways, including:
• Ask the college/university to identify whether or not they are regionally accredited, and if so, by which accrediting body. Then, visit the web site for the regional accrediting body (see links above), and look up your college/university in their listing of accredited institutions.
• Information for the regional accrediting bodies can be found at: https://www.chea.org/regional-accrediting-organizations-accreditor-type
What is Programmatic Accreditation?
Regardless of geographical location, if a bachelor’s or graduate academic program is ACEND accredited, the academic program will meet the NCBDN’s academic requirements for the LDN license. For more information on ACEND accredited distance education programs, please visit the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics website and use their program search tool.
Recently, the Board for Certification of Nutrition Specialists created an accrediting body for the academic program required for the CNS credential. For more information on programs accredited by this body, the Accreditation Council for Nutrition Professional Education (ACNPE), please visit the ACNPE's website and use their program search tool.
*Please note: For all categories, a board-approved supervised practice program, as well as the passing of an exam, are also part of North Carolina’s licensing requirements.
