1. A. The Board shall:

   1. (1) Authorize a recognized examination agency to administer the examination on behalf of the Board; or
   2. (2) Administer an examination prepared by a recognized examination agency.

2. B. The examination shall be:

   1. (1) Standardized and prepared by a recognized examination agency; and
   2. (2) Held at least once a year.

3. C. The Board shall provide the:

   1. (1) List of eligible applicants and their eligibility expiration date to an authorized examination agency;
   2. (2) For applicants who have satisfied education and experience requirements set forth under COMAR 10.60.01.03, notice of eligibility to sit for the examination;
   3. (3) Examination information for eligible applicants on the Board’s website;
   4. (4) Results of the examination to the applicant; and
   5. (5) For applicants who receive a passing score, instructions on securing a license.

4. D. The notice of eligibility to an applicant shall include the:

   1. (1) Date the:

      1. (a) Applicant is eligible to sit for the examination; and
      2. (b) Eligibility to sit for the examination expires; and

   2. (2) Procedure to:

      1. (a) Register to sit for the examination;
      2. (b) Pay the fee for examination; and
      3. (c) Retake the examination.

5. E. The authorized examination agency shall:

   1. (1) Collect the examination fee from the applicant; and
   2. (2) Provide examination results to the Board.
6. F. Passing Score. The passing score for the examination shall be determined by the recognized examination agency.

7. G. An applicant who has not previously taken the written examination is permitted to sit for an examination if the applicant has:

   1. (1) Received a notice of eligibility from the Board; and
   2. (2) Paid an examination fee as established by COMAR 10.60.06.

8. H. An applicant who fails the examination may retake the examination if the applicant:

   1. (1) Submits an application on a form required by the Board; and
   2. (2) Pays any applicable examination fees.
9. I. The Board may waive any examination requirement under this regulation if the Board considers the applicant to be recognized as outstanding in the field of environmental health.

10. J. To be recognized as outstanding in the field of environmental health by the Board, an applicant shall:

    1. (1) Meet the criteria set forth in COMAR 10.60.01.03 and 10.60.02.01 for an environmental health specialist-in-training;

    2. (2) Be considered a subject matter expert by the Board in one or more of the following areas:

       1. (a) The manufacture, preparation, handling, distribution, or sale of food and milk;
       2. (b) Water supply and treatment;
       3. (c) Wastewater treatment and disposal;
       4. (d) Solid waste management and disposal;
       5. (e) Vector control;
       6. (f) Insect and rodent control;
       7. (g) Air quality;
       8. (h) Noise control;
       9. (i) Product safety;
       10. (j) Recreational sanitation; or
       11. (k) Institutional and residential sanitation;

    3. (3) Demonstrate at least one of the following career pathways with a minimum of 15 years of progressive responsibilities with:

       1. (a) Technical knowledge and experience, including obtaining a master’s or doctoral degree in an environmental or public health-related area, wherein the time devoted to technical scientific research may be applied towards the minimum time criteria as follows:

          1. (i) If obtaining a master’s degree, 1 year; or
          2. (ii) If obtaining a doctoral degree, 2 years;

       2. (b) A managerial hierarchy similar to that of an environmental health specialist, such as:

          1. (i) Health specialist in training;
          2. (ii) Licensed environmental health specialist;
          3. (iii) Supervisor;
          4. (iv) Program manager; or
          5. (v) Director; or
       3. (c) A combination of §L(3)(a) or (b) of this regulation; and

    4. (4) Demonstrate and document involvement in an area listed in §L(2) of this regulation, in at least one of the following activities:

       1. (a) Research;
       2. (b) Has been published in peer review publications;
       3. (c) Has given court testimony or served as an expert witness qualified by a court system;
       4. (d) Has teaching experience; or
       5. (e) Where applicable, received a professional license through a Maryland or other recognized licensure body in the applicant’s field.

Authority: Health Occupations Article, §§21-101—21-502, Annotated Code of Maryland

Effective date:

Regulations .01—.08 adopted as an emergency provision effective January 3, 2013 (40:6 Md. R. 469); adopted permanently effective April 15, 2013 (40:7 Md. R. 612)

Regulation .01B amended effective June 28, 2021 (48:13 Md. R. 508); January 5, 2026 (52:26 Md. R. 1309)

Regulation .01C amended effective November 9, 2015 (42:22 Md. R. 1379)

Regulation .02A, B amended effective November 9, 2015 (42:22 Md. R. 1379)

Regulation .03A amended effective November 9, 2015 (42:22 Md. R. 1379)

Regulation .03C amended effective March 13, 2017 (44:5 Md. R. 294)

Regulation .04 amended effective June 28, 2021 (48:13 Md. R. 508)

Regulation .04A, E amended effective November 9, 2015 (42:22 Md. R. 1379)

Regulation .04F, G adopted effective November 9, 2015 (42:22 Md. R. 1379)

Regulation .04G amended effective March 13, 2017 (44:5 Md. R. 294)

Regulation .04I, J amended effective January 5, 2026 (52:26 Md. R. 1309)

Regulation .05 amended effective November 9, 2015 (42:22 Md. R. 1379); January 5, 2026 (52:26 Md. R. 1309)

Regulation .05B amended effective March 13, 2017 (44:5 Md. R. 294)

Regulation .06 amended effective May 1, 2023 (50:8 Md. R. 338)

Regulation .06C repealed effective May 20, 2019 (46:10 Md. R. 490)

Regulation .08 repealed and new Regulation .08 adopted effective November 9, 2015 (42:22 Md. R. 1379)

Regulation .08D adopted as an emergency provision effective January 9, 2024 (51:3 Md. R. 153); emergency status expired effective July 7, 2024; adopted permanently effective August 5, 2024 (51:15 Md. R. 710)

Regulation .09 adopted effective November 9, 2015 (42:22 Md. R. 1379)

Regulation .09A amended as an emergency provision effective January 9, 2024 (51:3 Md. R. 153); emergency status expired effective July 7, 2024; amended permanently effective August 5, 2024 (51:15 Md. R. 710)

Regulation .09D adopted as an emergency provision effective January 9, 2024 (51:3 Md. R. 153); emergency status expired effective July 7, 2024; adopted permanently effective August 5, 2024 (51:15 Md. R. 710)

Regulation .10 adopted effective November 9, 2015 (42:22 Md. R. 1379)