Abstract
This paper describes the development of a criterion-referenced instrument for assessing nutrition knowledge of potential nutrition educators. The test consists of 50 multiple-choice items. It addresses 3 content areas—basic nutrition principles, sources of nutrients, and function of nutrients; and it measures 4 cognitive levels—recall, comprehension, application, and analysis. The results of an administration of the test to 576 college graduates demonstrate that the instrument discriminates between groups of professionals who are trained in nutrition and those who are not.