An individual applying for an environmental health specialist registration must:

1. (1) Meet the requirements of OAR 331 Division 30;
2. (2) Submit a completed application form prescribed by the Office, which must contain the information listed in OAR 331-030-0000 and be accompanied by payment of the required application fees;

3. (3) Provide documentation of one of the following qualification pathways:

   1. (a) Registration Pathway 1 — Qualification through Education and Experience:

      1. (A) Bachelor’s Degree — An applicant must submit:

         1. (i) An official transcript, as defined in OAR 338-005-0020, demonstrating attainment of a bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university and 45 quarter hours or the equivalent semester hours in science courses; and
         2. (ii) Proof of the equivalent of two years of experience in environmental health under the supervision of a registered environmental health specialist or under a person possessing equal qualifications as described in OAR 338-010-0065; and
         3. (iii) Proof of having passed the NEHA REHS/RS Credential Exam; and
         4. (iv) Pay registration fees.

      2. (B) Graduate Degree — An applicant must submit:

         1. (i) An official transcript, as defined in OAR 338-005-0020, demonstrating attainment of a graduate degree in public health, community health, or another environmental health field from an accredited college or university; and
         2. (ii) Proof of the equivalent of one year of experience in environmental health under the supervision of a registered environmental health specialist or a person possessing equal qualifications as described in OAR 338-010-0065; and
         3. (iii) Proof of having passed the NEHA REHS/RS Credential Exam; and
         4. (iv) Pay registration fees.

   2. (b) Registration Pathway 2 — Reciprocity. An applicant must submit:

      1. (A) An official transcript, as defined in OAR 338-005-0020, demonstrating attainment of either:

         1. (i) A bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university and 45 hours or the equivalent semester hours in science courses and two years of experience in environmental health under the supervision of a registered environmental health specialist or a person with equal qualifications pursuant to OAR 338-010-0065; or
         2. (ii) A graduate degree in public health, community health, or another environmental health field from an accredited college or university and one year of experience in environmental health under the supervision of a registered environmental health specialist or a person with equal qualifications pursuant to OAR 338-010-0065; and
      2. (B) An affidavit of licensure pursuant to OAR 331-030-0040 demonstrating proof of an active environmental health specialist registration with no current or pending disciplinary action. The registration must have been issued by a regulatory body of another state; and
      3. (C) Proof of having passed the NEHA REHS/RS Credential Exam; and
      4. (D) Pay registration fees.

   3. (c) Registration Pathway 3 — Qualification through NEHA. An applicant must submit:

      1. (A) Proof of having an active NEHA credential as a registered environmental health specialist or a registered sanitarian; and
      2. (B) Proof of having passed the NEHA REHS/RS Credential Exam; and
      3. (C) Pay registration fees.

Statutory/Other Authority

ORS 676.560, ORS 700.005-700.240, ORS 700.995 & Senate Bill 844 (2025)

Statutes/Other Implemented

ORS 676.560, ORS 700.005-700.240, ORS 700.995 & Senate Bill 844 (2025)

History

EHRB 1-2026, amend filed 02/09/2026, effective 03/01/2026
EHRB 3-2018, minor correction filed 02/02/2018, effective 02/02/2018
EHRB 3-2011, f. & cert. ef. 8-1-11
SRB 2-2004, f. 6-29-04, cert. ef. 7-1-04
SRB 1-2004(Temp), f. 2-27-04, cert. ef. 3-1-04 thru 7-27-04
SRB 1-1998, f. 4-29-98, cert. ef. 5-1-98
SRB 2-1996, f. 5-31-96, cert. ef. 6-1-96
SRB 1-1985, f. & ef. 11-1-85
SRB 5, f. 10-14-75, ef. 11-11-75
Reverted to SRB 2, f. 4-7-72, ef. 5-1-72
SRB 4(Temp), f. & ef. 7-1-75 thru 10-28-75
SRB 2, f. 4-7-72, ef. 5-1-72