CANNP / ABOUT/ Q & A
Questions & Answers
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About Natural Nutritional Practitioners
What is a Natural Nutrition Clinical Practitioner?
A Natural Nutrition Clinical Practitioner — NNCP — is a trained professional who works with clients to understand the role food plays in their health, energy, and day-to-day wellbeing. The NNCP designation is held by full members of the Canadian Association of Natural Nutritional Practitioners and signals that the practitioner has completed a recognized training program and meets the association’s standards for practice.
How is an NNCP different from a Registered Dietitian?
A Registered Dietitian is a regulated health professional whose practice is governed by a provincial college. An NNCP works in the natural nutrition tradition — whole-food nutrition, lifestyle, and individualized client support, usually in private practice. The two professions are different in scope and training, and many clients work with both at different points.
How is an NNCP different from a Naturopathic Doctor?
A Naturopathic Doctor is a regulated practitioner who assesses and treats a wide range of conditions using approaches that may include nutrition alongside botanical medicine and other modalities. An NNCP focuses specifically on natural nutrition — what you eat, how you eat, and how that supports your health goals. The two roles complement rather than overlap.
How is an NNCP different from a wellness or health coach?
A wellness or health coach typically supports clients with goal-setting, accountability, and habit change. An NNCP brings a structured education in human nutrition, biochemistry, and client assessment, and works with clients on personalized nutrition plans grounded in that training.
Working with an NNCP
What can an NNCP help with?
Common reasons clients work with an NNCP include digestive concerns, low energy, weight goals, hormonal balance, fertility support, food sensitivities, and recovery from illness. Many clients also work with practitioners on general wellbeing — building eating patterns that support long-term health rather than addressing a specific problem.
What happens at a first session?
A first session is typically a discussion, guided by a thorough intake — health history, current symptoms, lifestyle, and goals. Many practitioners will ask you to complete the intake before your first session. From there, your practitioner will work with you on a plan tailored to your situation. Sessions are conversations, not prescriptions; the work is collaborative.
How long does it take to see results?
That depends on what you’re working on and your dedication to change. Some clients notice changes within a few weeks; others, working on longer-term goals, find it takes several months of consistent work. Your practitioner will give you a realistic sense at your first session.
How do NNCPs work alongside conventional medical care?
NNCPs work with clients in addition to — not instead of — their medical team. Most practitioners welcome collaboration with your physician, naturopath, or specialist when relevant, and will encourage you to keep your medical providers in the loop on the nutrition work you’re doing.
Credentials & Verification
What does NNCP mean?
NNCP stands for Natural Nutrition Clinical Practitioner. It’s the professional designation held by full members of CANNP who have completed a recognized training program and meet the association’s standards.
What does RNT mean?
RNT stands for Registered Nutritional Therapist. It’s an advanced designation held by experienced NNCPs — practitioners with a minimum of three years of experience and demonstrated expertise. Use of the title is restricted to CANNP members in good standing and may be limited in some provinces.
How do I verify someone is a CANNP member in good standing?
Contact us at info@cannp.ca with the practitioner’s name and we’ll confirm their current status. We respond to verification requests every business day.
Are NNCPs regulated in Canada?
Natural nutrition is presently an unregulated profession in Canada — which means NNCPs are not registered with a provincial college the way physicians and dietitians are. It’s worth clearing up a common misunderstanding here: regulation doesn’t mean a profession is better trained or its practitioners are safer — it means the profession is overseen by a provincial college and the use of certain protected titles is restricted by law. CANNP serves as a professional association for the field, setting member standards, supporting practitioners, and advocating for the profession. Practitioners are responsible for working within the laws of their own province.
Cost & Coverage
How do NNCPs typically charge?
Fees vary by practitioner, location, and the type of work involved. First sessions are usually longer than follow-ups and priced accordingly. Ask your practitioner about their fee structure before booking.
Will my extended health benefits cover sessions with an NNCP?
Coverage depends on your plan and your province. Several insurers cover services provided by CANNP members, but coverage is not universal and changes from time to time. We encourage all clients to let their insurer or benefits manager know they’d like this coverage. Before your first session, check with your insurer to confirm whether NNCP services are included in your plan and what documentation they need.
About CANNP
What is CANNP?
CANNP — the Canadian Association of Natural Nutritional Practitioners — is the professional association for natural nutrition practitioners in Canada. It supports members, sets the standards behind the NNCP designation, and works on behalf of the profession with insurers, educators, and the public.
What makes CANNP different?
CANNP was developed by practitioners who have pioneered many changes for the profession, and is the only member-driven professional association specifically for Canadian natural nutrition practitioners. That focus shapes everything — from how the association supports members’ practices to how it advocates for the industry.
Is CANNP working toward government recognition?
Yes — and CANNP has led that work from the very beginning. As the original professional association built specifically for Canadian natural nutrition practitioners, CANNP pioneered many of the firsts the profession now relies on — professional liability insurance, extended-benefit recognition, and structured mentoring — and continues to advocate for it today. CANNP is in regular contact with government officials and watches the regulatory landscape closely. The association’s view is that public awareness drives recognition — when the public understands what a Natural Nutrition Clinical Practitioner can do, recognition tends to follow. Building that awareness is core to the work, and it’s the idea behind our Take Action campaign, 1,000 Reasons Why, which gathers real reasons Canadians want access to natural nutrition support.
Why doesn’t CANNP have a “certification” process?
Because the profession is unregulated, terms like “certified,” “registered,” and “board certified” only indicate that someone is recognized by the institution that grants the title — they do not mean the profession is regulated by government. CANNP is mandated to ensure members do not represent themselves as regulated professionals, and the NNCP designation reflects that. It identifies a member of CANNP in good standing.
Becoming a CANNP Member
How do I join?
You’ll find a Membership Options link at the bottom of any page on cannp.ca, and a Membership menu at the top — either one takes you to the application.
What qualifications do I need?
A graduation certificate or proof of completion from a recognized natural nutrition training program. The full list of qualifications and recognized programs is on the Membership and Recognized Programs pages.
Can I apply before I officially graduate?
Once you have graduated but are waiting for your final transcript, you’re welcome to start the process by sending in your application and payment. We’ll add your transcript to your file once it becomes available.
What if I graduated from a program not on the recognized list?
You may still be eligible if you graduated from an accredited institution and your course credits meet our criteria. We can review your qualifications on an individual basis. Contact us with your transcript and we’ll let you know what to send next.
Do I need practice insurance to join?
You’ll want practice insurance in place around the time you join. If you’re going with one of CANNP’s recommended insurers, joining together can make you eligible for a preferred rate.
Can I belong to more than one professional association?
Yes. Natural nutrition is an unregulated profession, so practitioners are free to belong to as many associations as they choose.
Why choose CANNP?
CANNP is built around helping its members build successful practices. Members get business support, professional development, and an association whose focus is squarely on what helps practitioners thrive in today’s Canadian nutrition landscape.
For Referring Health Professionals
How do I refer a patient to a CANNP member?
Contact us at info@cannp.ca with the patient’s general location and we’ll send you the contact information for CANNP members in their area. Many of our members welcome referrals from physicians, naturopaths, and other health professionals, and several work in collaborative care arrangements.
What is the scope of practice for an NNCP?
NNCPs work with clients on whole-food nutrition, dietary planning, lifestyle factors, and food-related concerns. They do not diagnose medical conditions, prescribe medication, or perform any service reserved to a regulated profession. Most practitioners are explicit about scope at intake and refer back to a patient’s medical team when it is called for.
How do CANNP members work alongside primary care?
Members typically see clients in addition to their primary care providers, not in place of them. Practitioners welcome dialogue with referring providers when the client consents, and many maintain ongoing collaborative relationships with physicians, NDs, and specialists.
How do I verify a practitioner’s CANNP status?
Email info@cannp.ca which is checked several times a day. You can also reach us through the contact form on our website.
Contact
What’s the best way to reach CANNP?
Email is fastest — info@cannp.ca, which is checked several times a day. You can also reach us through the contact form on our homepage.
We're here when you need us
If your question isn’t answered above, send us a note. CANNP prides itself on being responsive to members, prospective members, and the public — we usually reply within one business day.