CHPLN study guide
CHPLN · Work through your exam, one topic at a time.
The Certified Holistic Nutrition Practitioner Licensing Examination (CHPLN) is a multiple-choice credentialing exam for practitioners who advise clients on food, nutrient status, digestive and metabolic health, and supportive lifestyle change within a holistic framework. Candidates typically come from nutrition consulting, health coaching, wellness retail, or clinical support backgrounds and want a structured demonstration of breadth across nine content domains, from macronutrient and micronutrient science to herbal and supplement support, assessment methods, and professional ethics. The CHPLN study guide has 9 sections and about 2,180 words.
01Foundations of Holistic Nutrition
This domain examines whether you can apply holistic nutrition as evidence-informed, whole-person care rather than a collection of alternative beliefs. Expect questions on bioindividuality, nutrient density, dietary patterns, the food matrix, social determinants of health, and the boundary between nutrition coaching and medical diagnosis.
246 words, about 1 min02Macronutrients and Micronutrients
This domain tests energy-yielding nutrients, essential micronutrients, digestion and absorption, requirement standards, deficiency and toxicity, and practical food-based recommendations. Protein and carbohydrate provide 4 kcal/g; fat provides 9 kcal/g; alcohol provides 7 kcal/g.
294 words, about 1 min03Digestive Health and the Gut Microbiome
This domain covers digestive physiology, enzyme and acid function, motility, the gut microbiome, dysbiosis, food intolerances, low-FODMAP nutrition, and the gut-brain axis. Digestion begins with cephalic-phase signals; gastric acid and pepsin start protein breakdown; pancreatic enzymes and bile complete fat, protein, and carbohydrate digestion; brush-border enzymes finish disaccharide digestion.
254 words, about 1 min04Metabolic and Endocrine Health
This domain tests glucose and insulin regulation, lipid metabolism, thyroid and adrenal physiology, metabolic syndrome, and lifestyle-first strategies for metabolic and endocrine concerns. Metabolic syndrome requires at least three of: increased waist circumference, elevated triglycerides, low HDL cholesterol, elevated blood pressure, and elevated fasting glucose.
265 words, about 1 min05Nutritional Assessment and Biochemical Testing
This domain tests nutrition assessment: interview, anthropometrics, dietary intake methods, biochemical testing, interpretation limits, and referral. Common dietary assessment tools include 24-hour recall, food frequency questionnaire, food records, and diet history; each has recall bias and underreporting limitations.
229 words, about 1 min06Therapeutic and Personalized Dietary Approaches
This domain tests evidence-based therapeutic diets, personalization, elimination and reintroduction, nutrient adequacy, and monitoring. Match the dietary approach to the condition and the client: Mediterranean and DASH patterns have strong cardiometabolic evidence; low-FODMAP is for irritable bowel syndrome; elimination diets are for suspected food allergy or eosinophilic disorders under medical guidance.
224 words, about 1 min07Herbal and Supplement Support
This domain tests supplement and herbal evidence, quality, dosing, interactions, contraindications, and scope. "Natural" does not mean safe or free of interactions.
241 words, about 1 min08Lifestyle, Mind-Body, and Behavioral Coaching
This domain tests behavior-change theory, motivational interviewing, goal setting, stress and sleep coaching, movement, and referral boundaries. Motivational interviewing uses OARS: open questions, affirmations, reflections, and summaries; avoid the righting reflex.
207 words, about 1 min09Professional Practice, Ethics, and Scope of Care
This domain tests professional scope, informed consent, confidentiality, documentation, referral, cultural humility, and ethical marketing. Nutrition professionals educate, coach, and support; they do not diagnose disease, prescribe medication, or direct medication changes.
220 words, about 1 min