How to Become an Environmental Health Specialist in NC

Are you looking for a career in environmental health? If you live in North Carolina, you may be wondering how to become an environmental health specialist.

The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services (NCDHHS) is responsible for protecting the public’s health through promotion and prevention of disease, injury, and disability. Environmental health specialists work within the NCDHHS to protect the public from environmental hazards.

If you’re interested in a career in environmental health, here’s

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Introduction

Anyone who works in the food service industry in North Carolina must have a Food Protection Manager Certification. This certification is also called the ServSafe® Food Protection Manager Certification. The ServSafe® program is administered by the National Restaurant Association Educational Foundation (NRAEF). To become certified, food service workers must pass a test that covers the following topics:

-Importance of food safety
-Hazard analysis and critical control points (HACCP)
-Time and temperature
-Cleaning and sanitizing
-Preventing cross contamination
-Purchasing and receiving food
-Storage practices
-Train employees

To find out more about how to become an environmental health specialist in NC, read on.

What is an environmental health specialist?

An environmental health specialist is a professional who uses their knowledge of science and health to prevent or mitigate environmental hazards. They work to protect both public health and the environment by implementing policies and conducting research. In North Carolina, environmental health specialists are employed by local, state, and federal agencies, as well as private companies and nonprofit organizations.

The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services (NCDHHS) defines environmental health as “the study of how the environment affects human health and wellbeing.” Environmental health specialists work to protect people from risks such as air pollution, water contamination, lead poisoning, foodborne illnesses, mold exposure, and vector-borne diseases. They also develop interventions to improve community health, such as promoting access to healthy food and safe housing.

In order to become an environmental health specialist in North Carolina, you will need to complete a bachelor’s degree in environmental science or a related field. Many environmental health specialists also have a master’s degree in public health (MPH) or a similar field. After completing your education, you will need to pass the National Environmental Health Association’s (NEHA) Registered Environmental Health Specialist/Registered Sanitarian (REHS/RS) exam. Once you have passed the exam, you will be required to complete annual continuing education credits in order to maintain your certification.

If you are interested in protecting public health and the environment, becoming an environmental health specialist is a great career choice!

What are the duties of an environmental health specialist?

As an environmental health specialist, you will be responsible for ensuring that all environmental health and safety regulations are followed in your workplace. You will also be responsible for conducting environmental audits and investigations, and developing and implementing environmental health and safety programs. In addition, you will be responsible for educating employees about environmental health and safety issues, and providing training on how to safely work in the environment.

How to become an environmental health specialist in North Carolina

An environmental health specialist is a professional who helps to protect public health by ensuring that people have safe and clean environments in which to live and work. In North Carolina, environmental health specialists work in a variety of settings, including government agencies, private businesses, and non-profit organizations.

To become an environmental health specialist in North Carolina, you will need to complete a bachelor’s degree program in environmental health, biology, chemistry, or a related field. You may also need to complete a master’s degree or doctoral degree program in environmental health or a related field. Once you have completed your educational requirements, you will need to obtain certification from the National Environmental Health Association (NEHA) or the American Board of Environmental Health (ABEH).

What are the requirements to become an environmental health specialist in North Carolina?

In order to become an environmental health specialist in the state of North Carolina, you must first obtain a bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university. Once you have completed your undergraduate studies, you must then pass the North Carolina State Environmental Health Practitioner’s Examination. After you have passed the examination, you will be required to complete a one-year internship with a state or local health department.

How to renew your environmental health specialist certification in North Carolina

To renew your environmental health specialist certification in North Carolina, you must complete at least four hours of continuing education (CE) every year. CE requirements are different for those with active and inactive licenses.

For active licensees, at least two of the four CE hours per year must be related to food safety. You can find a list of approved food safety courses on the NC Division of Public Health website. If you need more than four CE hours in a year, you can carry over up to four extra hours into the next renewal period.

Inactive licensees are only required to complete two CE hours every two years, and there is no food safety component. Courses must be approved by the Board in order to count towards renewal. You can find a list of approved courses on the Board’s website.

All licensees must complete a Renewal Application and submit it to the Board office along with the required fee ($50 for active licensees, $25 for inactive licensees) before their certification expiration date. Applications and fees can be submitted online, by mail, or in person.

How to contact the North Carolina Board of Environmental Health Specialists

The North Carolina Board of Environmental Health Specialists regulates the certification of individuals who wish to work as environmental health specialists in the state. To be eligible for certification, applicants must have a bachelor’s degree in environmental health, or a related field, from an accredited college or university. In addition, applicants must have at least three years of full-time professional experience in environmental health, or a related field, and must pass an examination administered by the board.

To apply for certification, contact the North Carolina Board of Environmental Health Specialists at:

North Carolina Board of Environmental Health Specialists
2728 Capital Blvd., Suite 104
Raleigh, NC 27604-2819
(919) 733-4696

Conclusion

With a degree in environmental health, you can pursue a career as an environmental health specialist. In this role, you would be responsible for ensuring that businesses and other organizations are following the proper safety and health regulations to protect employees, customers, and the general public from potential hazards. With a wealth of experience in this field, you could eventually become certified as a professional in environmental health and safety (CPEHS) by the National Environmental Health Association.