Environmental Health Specialist
Registered Environmental Health Specialist Requirements, Options I - IV
106635. The requirements for registration of environmental health specialists shall be a minimum of a bachelor's degree from a department approved educational institution or an educational institution of collegiate grade listed in the directory of accredited institutions of postsecondary education compiled by the American Council on Education, with coursework prescribed as follows:
| Option | Requirements |
Experience |
Training |
|---|---|---|---|
| Option I |
30 semester units of Science coursework including each of the following*: Calculus or 3rd Year College Algebra General Biology Lecture General Microbiology Lecture General Chemistry Lecture General Organic Chemistry Lecture OR General Physics Lecture *Three of the required science courses shall include a laboratory - virtual or online laboratory sessions do not meet the requirements for the REHS profession. |
18 months | 600 hours |
| Option II |
45 semester units of Science coursework, including each of the following*: Calculus or 3rd Year College Algebra General Biology Lecture General Microbiology Lecture General Chemistry Lecture General Organic Chemistry Lecture General Physics Lecture *Three of the required science courses shall include a laboratory - virtual or online laboratory sessions do not meet the requirements for the REHS profession. |
1 Year | 450 Hours |
| Option III | 30 semester units of Science coursework, including each of the following*: Calculus or 3rd Year College Algebra General Biology Lecture General Microbiology Lecture General Chemistry Lecture General Organic Chemistry Lecture OR General Physics Lecture *Three of the required science courses shall include a laboratory - virtual or online laboratory sessions do not meet the requirements for the REHS profession. AND Three semester or four quarter units in each of the following: Epidemiology Statistics Public Administration or Environmental Health Administration AND 10 semester units or 15 quarter units in environmental health science, including one or more of the following: water qualify, waste management, food and consumer protection housing and institution sanitation vector control, recreational health, air quality, milk and dairy products, occupational health, electromagnetic radiation, noise control, toxicology, soil science, or land use development. |
9 Months | 300 Hours |
| Option IV | 45 semester units of Science coursework, including each of the following*: Calculus or 3rd Year College Algebra General Biology Lecture General Microbiology Lecture General Chemistry Lecture General Organic Chemistry Lecture General Physics Lecture *Three of the required science courses shall include a laboratory - virtual or online laboratory sessions do not meet the requirements for the REHS profession. AND Three semester or four quarter units in each of the following: Epidemiology Statistics Public Administration or Environmental Health Administration AND 10 semester units or 15 quarter units in environmental health science including one or more of the following: water quality, waste management, food and consumer protection housing and institution sanitation vector control, recreational health, air quality, milk and dairy products, occupational health, electromagnetic radiation, noise control, toxicology, soil science or land use development. |
6 Months | 200 Hours |
| Option V | Effective January 1, 2026, Option V applicants who possess a minimum of a bachelor's degree in Environmental Health from a National Environmental Health Science & Protection Accreditation Council (EHAC) approved institution or an institution approved by the committee should contact CDPH directly. Please see Option V Requirements for additional information and instructions. |
None Required |
None Required |
*NOTE: Effective January 1, 2026, the law defines the definition of “Basic Science” to include life sciences, natural sciences, physical sciences, and health sciences. Please note that social science courses—such as sociology or psychology—do not meet the basic science requirement. Credit will not be allowed for more than one course with essentially the same content. An approved science course provides the student an understanding of the fundamental principles of the subject. The general sciences must be integrative courses that include those principles essential to the overall discipline. The remaining science courses may be limited to one or more divisions within the discipline and may be more descriptive in their approach.
College algebra (third-year algebra) is a course for which intermediate algebra or trigonometry shall normally be a prerequisite.
Universities Offering Approved Environmental Health Curriculum in California, Option IV
California State University, Fullerton
Danny Kim, Ph.D Program Coordinator
Public Health Department
PO Box 6870
Fullerton, CA 92834-6870
Telephone: (657) 278-5649
Department: (657) 278-3316 / [email protected]