The Certified Sports Nutritionist exam from the International Society of Sports Nutrition (ISSN) is for people who advise athletes and active clients on nutrition. Most candidates hold an undergraduate degree, and others can be approved case by case. This page lists the verified exam facts: 200 questions, 80 minutes, a 70.00% passing score and fees of $699 or $999. It also has free practice sets, worked explanations and a study plan.

CSN Exam at a Glance

What changed for CSN in 2026

• Oct 27, 2026: Eligibility changed to 4-year undergraduate degree (or case-by-case / 5-year practitioner route); ISSN membership (previously 4-year undergraduate degree (or case-by-case / 5-year practitioner alternate route); ISSN membership).^[2]

What the CSN is and how it works

According to International Society of Sports Nutrition, “There are 200 questions (i.e., multiple choice and T/F).”^[1]

The ISSN's sports nutrition credential is called the CISSN on the society's own pages. It is meant for people who use sports nutrition science with athletes and active clients. You take the exam online whenever you like. After you register, the ISSN asks you to allow 24–48 hours for the exam link to arrive by email, so if you register on a Friday the link may not come until Monday. Online registration is open through December 31, 2030.

The exam has 200 questions, a mix of multiple choice and true/false, and you get 80 minutes. You cannot use notes. The passing score is 70.00%. An automated email tells you whether you passed or failed. The ISSN does not say it sends a numerical score.

To sit the exam you need a 4-year undergraduate degree. If you do not have one, you can email the ISSN your credentials and they will decide case by case. The fee is $699 for ISSN members, professional or student, and $999 for non-members. You can retake the exam as often as you like, but you pay the full fee each time.

To keep the credential, earn 6 CEUs per year or 30 CEUs every 5 years, and keep your ISSN membership active. Without active membership the certification is valid for 1 year. Policies can change, so check the ISSN certification pages before you pay.

Worked examples: how to reason through CSN questions

These are practice questions written for this site, not questions from the real exam. Each explanation shows why the right answer is right and why the others are wrong.

Example 1

Question: What privacy protection applies to quality improvement records?

1. Privacy rules only apply to electronic records
2. HIPAA and applicable state laws protect all patient health information
3. Privacy is optional for routine procedures
4. Only mental health records require privacy protection

Answer: B. HIPAA and applicable state laws protect all patient health information

Explanation:

B is correct. HIPAA and state privacy laws protect identifiable health information in any form and in any setting. That includes quality improvement records that contain client or patient details. A is wrong because privacy rules cover paper records and spoken information, not only electronic files. Electronic records have extra security requirements on top of that. C is wrong because privacy never becomes optional for routine work. Everyday records are where most disclosures happen. D is wrong because some records, such as psychotherapy notes, get extra protection, but every kind of health information is protected. Rule to remember: protection follows the information, not the format or the procedure. Where state law is stricter than federal law, follow the stricter rule.

Example 2

Question: What is the primary hormonal mechanism through which chronic low energy availability suppresses female reproductive function?

1. Elevated insulin inhibiting ovarian function
2. Decreased GnRH pulse frequency suppressing LH and FSH, leading to hypothalamic amenorrhea
3. Elevated cortisol directly blocking estrogen receptors
4. Low testosterone causing follicular arrest

Answer: B. Decreased GnRH pulse frequency suppressing LH and FSH, leading to hypothalamic amenorrhea

Explanation:

B is correct. When energy intake does not cover training demands, the hypothalamus reads this as an energy shortage and slows its GnRH pulses. Lower GnRH pulse frequency cuts pituitary release of LH and FSH. The ovaries then make less estrogen, which leads to functional hypothalamic amenorrhea. A is wrong because low energy availability usually lowers insulin. High insulin is linked to other kinds of ovarian dysfunction. C is wrong because cortisol often rises in an energy deficit and can help suppress GnRH centrally. It does not work by blocking estrogen receptors. D is wrong because low testosterone does not drive this condition in women. Follicles stall because gonadotropin support is missing. Rule to remember: the problem starts in the hypothalamus. The main fix is to restore energy availability, and the low estrogen also puts bone health at risk.

Example 3

Question: How should patient consent be obtained for interdisciplinary care procedures?

1. Verbal agreement is always sufficient
2. Informed consent including risks, benefits, alternatives, and right to refuse
3. Consent is implied by the patient's presence
4. Family consent overrides patient consent

Answer: B. Informed consent including risks, benefits, alternatives, and right to refuse

Explanation:

B is correct. Valid consent is informed and voluntary. The client must understand what is proposed, its risks and benefits, the reasonable alternatives, and that they can refuse or withdraw at any time. A is wrong because of the word always. Spoken agreement can be enough for minor steps, but many procedures need documented consent. C is wrong because showing up to an appointment is not agreement to a specific intervention. Implied consent applies only in narrow situations such as emergencies. D is wrong because a capable adult's own decision stands. Family or a legal surrogate decides only when the person lacks capacity, and only as the law allows. Rule to remember: consent belongs to the client. It must be informed, voluntary, documented and open to withdrawal. The same applies to a nutrition or supplement plan.

How to use these practice tests

We could not verify an official content outline, so start with the ISSN certification pages and any study material they list. Then use our sets in this order:

1. Science core. Sports & Exercise Physiology, Macronutrient Timing & Periodization, Hydration & Fluid Balance and Nutritional Strategies & Supplementation.
2. Applied work. Nutrition & Health Assessment, Client Consultation & Program Design and Weight Management & Body Composition.
3. Professional practice. Ethics and Confidentiality and Interdisciplinary Care. The other sets cover general health-care practice and may be less central to the ISSN exam. Do them last, if you have time.
4. Review every miss. Write the rule behind each wrong answer in your own words, then check it against a textbook or the ISSN material rather than relying on our explanation alone.
5. Timed, closed-book runs. The real exam is 200 questions in 80 minutes with no notes. Mix sets, time yourself and do not look anything up. Aim clearly above 70.00% before you book.

Sources & last verified

1. International Society of Sports Nutrition — number of questions, time limit, exam fee, passing score (official source). “There are 200 questions (i.e., multiple choice and T/F).” Verified Oct 27, 2026.
2. International Society of Sports Nutrition — retake policy, validity, renewal, eligibility (official source). “There are no limits to how many times you can take the exam; you will however need to pay for each exam.” Verified Oct 27, 2026.

How we verify: editorial & fact-checking policy. Report an error: contact us.