1. (a) An applicant who otherwise qualifies for licensure is entitled to be examined as provided in this section.

2. (b) An applicant qualifies to take the examination if the applicant:

   1. (1)

      1. (i) Has graduated from an accredited college or university with a baccalaureate degree that includes:

         1. 1. A minimum of 30 semester credit hours or the equivalent quarter credit hours of chemical, physical, biological, and environmental sciences acceptable to the Board;
         2. 2. A course in mathematics; and
         3. 3. Laboratory coursework as required in regulations adopted by the Board; and

      2. (ii) Has:

         1. 1. Obtained 12 months of experience in an environmental health specialist-in-training program approved by the Board; or
         2. 2. Completed an apprenticeship approved by the Board; or

   2. (2) Has graduated from an accredited college or university with a master's degree in public or environmental health science that includes:

      1. (i) A minimum of 30 semester credit hours or 45 quarter credit hours of chemical, physical, biological, or environmental sciences acceptable to the Board and obtained at the baccalaureate or master's level;
      2. (ii) A course in mathematics;
      3. (iii) 3 months of internship approved by the Board if not previously completed; and
      4. (iv) Laboratory coursework as required in regulations adopted by the Board.

3. (c)

   1. (1) This subsection does not alter the requirement that an applicant demonstrate completion of a baccalaureate or master's degree to qualify for examination.

   2. (2) The Board may waive any of the specific course requirements for an applicant to qualify for examination in subsection (b) of this section if the Board determines that an applicant:

      1. (i) Has obtained an equivalent number of credit hours in a course relevant to practice as an environmental health specialist; or
      2. (ii) Has work experience that is an acceptable substitute for a course required in subsection (b) of this section.
4. (d) The examination required by the Board shall include a written examination in the physical, biological, and environmental sciences that relates to practices and principles of environmental health.

5. (e) The Board shall:

   1. (1) Administer examinations to applicants at least once a year, at the times and places that the Board determines; or
   2. (2) Approve an examination provider to administer the examination to applicants.

6. (f) If the Board administers the examination, the Board shall:

   1. (1) Notify each qualified applicant of the time and place of the examination;
   2. (2) Determine the subjects, scope, form, and passing score for examinations; and
   3. (3) Use professional examinations prepared by recognized examination agencies.
7. (g) If a Board-approved examination provider administers the examination, the Board shall notify each qualified applicant of the registration procedure for the examination.
8. (h) An applicant who fails an examination may retake the examination as provided in the rules and regulations adopted by the Board.
9. (i) The Board may waive any examination requirement under this section if the Board recognizes the applicant as being outstanding in the field of environmental health.

Added as Health Occupations § 17-305 by Acts 1981, c. 8, § 2, eff. July 1, 1981. Renumbered as Health Occupations § 5.5-304 and amended by Acts 1984, c. 560, § 1, eff. July 1, 1984. Amended by Acts 1985, c. 219. Transferred as Environment § 11-304 by Acts 1987, c. 306, § 3, eff. July 1, 1987. Amended by Acts 1988, c. 6, § 1; Acts 1993, c. 423. Transferred as Health Occupations § 21-304 by Acts 2012, c. 667, § 1, eff. July 1, 2012. Amended by Acts 2012, c. 667, § 2, eff. July 1, 2012; Acts 2013, c. 254, § 1, eff. Oct. 1, 2013; Acts 2015, c. 94, § 1, eff. Oct. 1, 2015; Acts 2023, c. 318, § 1, eff. July 1, 2023; Acts 2023, c. 319, § 1, eff. July 1, 2023; Acts 2024, c. 49, § 1, eff. Oct. 1, 2024.

Formerly Art. 43, §§ 726, 729, 730.