The Certified Natural Products Advisor (CNPA) course was designed by the Canadian College of Naturopathic Medicine exclusively for CHFA, it’s the most current and complete science-based course of its kind in Canada.
Graduates of this program will receive a Certified Natural Products Advisor designation and:
Course FAQs
Who is eligible to take the course?
Anyone with interest is permitted to take the CNPA course; there are no pre-requisites to register for the course. You can register as an individual, even if you are not affiliated with a company in the natural health products (NHP) industry. However, this course is especially beneficial for customer service representatives, sales representatives or front line retail staff in the industry who deal with customer or client inquiries about NHPs on a regular basis.
What will I learn?
Students who complete the CNPA course will learn the following topics:
- Applied health science: how the body works and how supplements affect it;
- Nutrition: how supplements work and how to compare nutritional properties of different foods;
- Communication: how to evaluate the risk of using natural products and a CNPA’s role in providing product information;
- Herbology: the study of herbs and recognizing their common uses.
What is the course curriculum?
The course consists of seven learning modules and accompanying practice quizzes. In order to help ensure your success we strongly suggest taking each practice quiz and earning above 60% before attempting the next module. The below chart gives an overview and summary of each module.
| Chapter | Summary |
| The Health Food Store Employee | The difference between prescribing and providing information, and how to effectively balance the customers’ thirst for knowledge with the legal restraints placed on you by Canadian law. |
| Introduction to Nutrition | Basic and advanced nutritional concepts and the role nutrition plays in our overall health. |
| Cardiovascular System | Basic physiology and anatomy of the cardiovascular system. The pathophysiology of common conditions, as well as herbal and nutraceutical treatments used for common cardiovascular conditions. |
| Gastrointestinal System | Basic physiology and anatomy of the nervous system. The pathophysiology of common conditions. As well as herbal and nutraceutical treatments used for common GI conditions. |
| Nervous System | Basic physiology and anatomy of the nervous system. The pathophysiology of common conditions as well as herbal and nutraceutical treatments used for common conditions of the nervous system and psychiatric disorders. |
| Immune System | Basic physiology and anatomy of the immune system. The pathophysiology of common conditions as well as common remedies for enhancing the immune system and treatments for the common cold and influenza. |
| Respiratory System | Basic physiology and anatomy of the lungs and chest cavity.The pathophysiology of common conditions as well as herbal and nutraceutical treatments used for common respiratory conditions. |
| Integumentary System | Basic physiology and function of the skin. The pathophysiology of common conditions as well as herbal and nutraceutical treatments used for common skin conditions. |
| Endocrinology | The physiology and function of our hormones, as well as herbal and nutraceutical treatments used for hormone conditions. |
What is the cost?
The CNPA course costs $399 per student for CHFA Members, and $599 per student for non-members. Bulk pricing is available exclusively for members; the bulk price is $349 per course when you purchase three or more course packages at the same time.
How can I register?
Fill out the registration form after creating an account and we will send you the course materials. If you have difficulties registering online or have additional questions, contact CHFA at info@chfa.ca or 1.800.661.4510, and we would be happy to help.
Can I get a refund?
CHFA offers a money-back guarantee within 30 days from the date of course registration. If after starting the course you feel it is not going to meet your needs, simply let us know and the learning module will be removed from your dashboard. CHFA will refund the course amount, minus $25 from the course fee for administration charges. No refunds will be given after the 30 day period.
Is there an exam?
In order to complete the course, all students must write a final exam and attain at least 60% on the exam to pass. Your exam will be marked and your result will be communicated to you within 30 days of writing the exam. If you successfully complete the course with a mark of 60% or more, you will receive a certificate with your name on it.
How do I take the exam?
The exam will be administered through an online platform – virtually from the comfort of your home.
Exam dates available are as follows:
| Date | Time |
| October 23, 2024 | 1:00–3:00 PM ET |
| November 27, 2024 | 1:00–3:00 PM ET |
| January 22, 2025 | 1:00–3:00 PM ET |
| February 19, 2025 | 1:00–3:00 PM ET |
| March 26, 2025 | 1:00–3:00 PM ET |
| May 14, 2025 | 1:00–3:00 PM ET |
| June 18, 2025 | 1:00–3:00 PM ET |
| July 23, 2025 | 1:00–3:00 PM ET |
| August 13, 2025 | 1:00–3:00 PM ET |
| October 22, 2025 | 1:00–3:00 PM ET |
| November 26, 2025 | 1:00–3:00 PM ET |
To request an exam date, please fill in the form available here, and our team will be in contact with you as soon as possible.
Please notify us at least 1 week in advance of your desired exam date to coordinate and book the date. Please remember, the exam must be completed within one year of your CNPA course purchase date. For example, if you purchased the course on June 1, 2024, you must write your exam by June 1, 2025.
Is there a time limit for completing the course?
The exam must be completed within one year of the purchase date (plus five business days to account for shipping time). If for some reason you have not completed the course within the allotted one year time frame, you have the opportunity to apply for a single six-month extension by sending an email to info@chfa.ca. CHFA will send you a written confirmation of the new completion date. An extension will only be granted once.
What if I have more questions?
If you have any questions regarding the course, please contact CHFA at info@chfa.ca or 1.800.661.4510