R.S. Corner
Qualifications for Registration
To qualify for registration, an applicant must be at least 18 years of age and meet one of the following criteria:
-
Hold a bachelor’s degree in Environmental Health from a college or university accredited by the National Environmental Health Science & Protection Accreditation Council (EHAC) and show a minimum of one-year on-the-job experience in environmental health practice.
-
Hold a bachelors, masters or doctoral degree from an accredited college or university, with at least 30 semester/45 quarter hours of course work in the basic sciences, such as biology, chemistry, physics, other physical or natural sciences or environmental engineering, public health, environmental health or sanitary science and show a minimum of two years on-the-job experience in environmental health practice. The required experience may be met prior to or after obtaining the bachelor’s degree.
-
Hold a Master’s degree from an accredited college or university with curricula approved by the National Environmental Health Science & Protection Accreditation Council or a doctoral degree in environmental health. On-the-job work experience is not required.
- A sealed copy of your college transcripts is required with your application, contact us for the application.
- Pierson View CBT exams ONLY begin on 1/1/2020 with a fee increase to $320 for FEHA members and $370 for non-members.
The contact hours you have reported to FEHA electronically are now updated thru August 10, 2024
Please post your acquired contact hours during the biennial 2023-2024 to the FEHA Continuing Education (CE) Online submittal site (use link below).
R.S. Exam Candidates: As of 2020, NEHA eliminated the paper version of their exam nationwide and exam administration has changed to Computer Based Testing (CBT) ONLY. This will improve test security and will offer scheduling advantages. You can now select a testing location near you that offers a more convenient date and time.
After your application to FEHA is approved and fee paid, you will have up to 13 months to take the exam. Unofficial test results will be available upon completion of the exam. FEHA's pricing to acquire & maintain registration will remain at about 30% less than NEHA's fees.
Due to the price increase from NEHA, effective 2020, FEHA member price is $320, and non-member price is $370
For you to take the NEHA exam (used by FEHA), contact us for an application that you will complete and have notarized. We must also receive a sealed college transcript (non-USA University requires 3rd party certification) sent by mail to FEHA Registration Board Chair (address below) OR send the notarized application as a PDF to RSboard@feha.org and request your college transcript be sent by the college or another third-party transcript provider to the same email address.
After your application and college transcripts are approved by FEHA to take the exam;
You can pay for the RS Test at the FEHA Store
Continuing Education Hours Submittal-
The biennial period member's contact hours are to be submitted electronically via the process described on the RS Credentialing Process page.For more information regarding Contact Hours please review the continuing education procedures document.
What is a Registered Sanitarian?
The Registered Sanitarian (R.S.), Registered Environmental Health Professional (R.E.H.P.) and Registered Environmental Health Specialist (R.E.H.S.) credentials reflect the highest level of expertise and competency in the environmental health profession. Registration is voluntary in the state of Florida. Those awarded the credential are recognized as demonstrating a high degree of personal initiative and long-term commitment to public health. Registered professionals are more likely to be up-to-date on the latest advancements in their field and are better equipped to direct the activities of others. Registration enhances credibility in communicating risks, serving as an expert witness, or discussing environmental health issues with other professionals or the general public.
The standards for Registration in Florida meet the requirements of the National Environmental Health Association (NEHA) and have been adopted by FEHA. We maintain a reciprocity agreement with NEHA. Once you have received your FEHA credential, you may apply for, pay for, and receive the NEHA credential without taking the exam again. Also, any other state with a similar NEHA reciprocity agreement will also recognize the Florida credential. To find out more about other states' agreements, check with NEHA.
To be eligible for the R.S./R.E.H.P./R.E.H.S. credential, applicants must meet education and experience requirements established in our bylaws and then successfully pass NEHA's national R.S./R.E.H.S. exam with a score of at least 650 covering all aspects of environmental health. Once registered, individuals must complete and submit continuing education hours bi-annually to the Registration Board and adhere to a professional code of ethics.
There are 2 new credentials for active RSs which are "EMERITUS R.S." and "Active Military R.S." - these will not require continuing education contact hours! Additionally, a new "In-Training" credential has been established for candidates that don't yet have the required experience time in service. To request these specific credentials, please send an email to RSboard@feha.org to receive further instructions. To qualify for these new credentials, we follow the NEHA guidelines on these new options.
As organizations strive for a more talented workforce, an R.S. credential is a recognition of professionalism and offers incentives for individuals to increase their job-related value by developing and maintaining new skills. Employers and customers both benefit from the enhanced quality of services that an R.S. can impart. This is especially true during difficult times, like natural disasters or budget reductions, when a credentialed individual can be readily identified as having a level of expertise. Also, many employers provide an increase in pay for those achieving registration. The Florida Statutes (s. 381.0101) allows the R.S. registration to substitute the certification required for all food and onsite sewage program inspectors at the Department of Health.
R.S. certification is an accomplishment that will generate a sense of pride on a personal level and will earn commendation from your peers on a professional level.
For more information on the benefits of becoming an R.S./R.E.H.P./R.E.H.S, please review the R.S. presentation.
So...what are you waiting for?
Questions? Contact:
Bob Vincent, R.S. and Trisha Dall, R.S., Co-Chairs; FEHA Registration Board RSboard@feha.org