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Title: Environmental Health Specialist/Sanitarian Registration License
Alternate Title:
Description: Environmental Health Specialists/Sanitarians administer environmental and health programs for both public and private agencies and organizations in food protection and safety, water protection, air quality, noise, industrial and land pollution, sewage disposal, hazardous and toxic substances, solid waste management, emergency management and institutional health. Registration signifies a level of expertise and competence based on education and experience that is nationally recognized within the environmental health profession. Minnesota Department of Health (MDH)
Subject: Environmental Health Specialists
Food
Food Professionals
Creation Date: 9/11/2008 2:12:49 PM
Modification Date: 2/4/2025 3:17:30 PM
Agency Name: Health (MDH), Minnesota Department of
Agency URL: https://www.health.state.mn.us
Agency Description: The Minnesota Department of Health is the state's lead public health agency, responsible for protecting, maintaining and improving the health of all Minnesotans.
Agency Phone: 651-201-5000
888-345-0823
Agency Fax: Agency URL: https://www.health.state.mn.us
Agency Address: Health, Minnesota Dept. of
625 Robert St. N.
P.O. Box 64975
St. Paul
MN
55164-0975
Division Name: Food, Pools, and Lodging Services
Division URL:
Division Description:
Division Phone: 651-201-4500
Division Fax: Division URL:
Division Address:
P.O. Box 64975

St. Paul
MN
55164-0975
Unit Name: Environmental Health Specialist / Sanitarian
Unit URL:
Unit Description:
Unit Phone: Unit Fax: Contact person(s): health.sanitarians@state.mn.us
Unit URL:
Audience: Hold Application URL: https://mn-mdh.portal.opengov.com/categories/1087/record-types/6427%22%3ERegistered
Renewal URL:
Versa URL:
Requirements:

Review:

Registered Environmental Health Specialist / Registered Sanitarian

Registered Environmental Health Specialists/Registered Sanitarians administer environmental and health programs for both public and private agencies and organizations in food protection and safety, water protection, air quality, noise, industrial and land pollution, sewage disposal, hazardous and toxic substances, solid waste management, emergency management and institutional health.

Apply for Registration

Approved Science Course List

Exam Study Sessions and Reference Material

Pre-Approved Continuing Education Courses

REHS/RS Advisory Council

Renew Your Registration


Rules: 4695.2500 - .3200

Statutes: 214.001 - .40

Forms:

Apply for Registration

REHS/RS

To become credentialed in Minnesota as a Registered Environmental Health Specialist/Registered Sanitarian (REHS/RS) a candidate may apply to sit for the NEHA computer-based REHS/RS exam, taken at an approved Pearson VUE testing location, OR apply for Minnesota REHS/RS reciprocity (when currently registered by NEHA or registered in another state as an REHS/RS).

The candidate must meet the requirements of Minn. Rules, 4695.2500 – 4695.3200. These rules may differ from the National Environmental Health Association (NEHA) credential requirements as an REHS/RS.

The Minnesota REHS/RS Advisory Council meets four times annually to review applications and documentation for approval. The deadline for submission is set for February 15, May 15, August 15, and November 15 each year. Following each meeting, MDH informs candidates of the decision and details of next steps.

Applications and documentation are reviewed on these for requirements

  • Education
    Evidence of receiving a baccalaureate or post-baccalaureate degree in environmental health, sanitary science, sanitary engineering, or other related environmental health field.
  • Coursework completed
    Evidence the degree includes at least 30 semester or 45 quarter hour credits in the physical or biological sciences.
  • Supervised time in environmental health
    Evidence of at least one year of supervised employment in one or more of the program areas listed in part 4695.2600, subpart 7, definition of "environmental health specialist/sanitarian."
  • Qualified supervision
    Evidence the supervision was provided by an environmental health specialist or a sanitarian or a licensed health professional, or an engineer or other professional with a graduate degree in one of the physical or biological sciences, or other person whom the commissioner deems has equivalent environmental health background.
Instructions
Go to Sanitarian Registration - Apply Online for new applicants.
Note: This is not for renewals. Please Contact us if you need help on how to renew.

In your application, be prepared to provide evidence of receiving a baccalaureate or post-baccalaureate degree and credits earned.

Official transcripts are used to determine evidence of receiving a baccalaureate or post-baccalaureate degree in environmental health, sanitary science, sanitary engineering, or other related environmental health field, which includes at least 30 semester or 45 quarter hour credits in the physical or biological fields. See Approved Science Course List.

Have your official college/university transcript(s) sent directly to MDH. If you attended more than one college and/or university, provide all transcripts that support your application.

Official Paper Transcripts
To be considered an official educational transcript it must be received at the department’s office in the sealed envelope from the College Registrar’s Office/Transcript Office.

Mail official transcripts to:
Minnesota Department of Health
Sanitarian Registration Program
625 Robert Street North
PO Box 64975
St. Paul, MN 55164-0975

Official Electronic Transcripts

Electronic transcripts sent directly from the school or transcript service are accepted when e-mailed to health.sanitarians@state.mn.us.

If you received a baccalaureate or post-baccalaureate degree outside the United States, you must obtain a third party foreign education evaluation service review of your transcripts to determine equivalency to schools within the United States. For service listings, go to National Association of Credential Evaluation Services. Send the report provided by the third party with your application.
 

Applying for Minnesota REHS/RS reciprocity

If applying for Minnesota REHS/RS reciprocity, you need to submit:

  1. Official transcript(s)
  2. Minnesota REHS/RS Supervised Employment History Form (PDF)
  3. Copy of your qualifying supervisor‘s credential(s)
  4. Copy of your current REHS/RS or state REHS/RS certificate of registration
  5. Documentation of passing the REHS/RS credentialing examination
Required Exam Scores for Reciprocity
Exam Required Minimum Score Date of Exam
NEHA 650 or higher On or after July 13, 2014
NEHA 68 percent or higher Jan 1, 1998 to July 12, 2014
PES 70 percent or higher Before Dec 31, 1997
PES exams taken after Dec 31, 1997 are not eligible to receive REHS/RS reciprocity

Fees:
Required fees

Applying to take the computer-based REHS/RS exam
Submit a non-refundable $45 Registration Fee via the MDH Licensing System. If not paying online, submit fee made payable to the Minnesota Department of Health, using a cashier’s check, money order, or personal check. Do not send cash.

If the Minnesota REHS/RS Advisory Council approves your application, NEHA will contact you about taking the computer-based exam and submitting payment of the $280 NEHA fees.

Applying for Minnesota REHS/RS reciprocity
Submit a non-refundable $45 Registration Fee via the MDH Licensing System. If not paying online, submit fee made payable to the Minnesota Department of Health, using a cashier’s check, money order, or personal check. Do not send cash.

Failure to provide complete application information or payment may result in application denial by the REHS/RS Advisory Council.

Period of Issuance:

Expires 2 years on anniversary of birthdate.


Length of Determination: Application due February 15 and August 15 of each year. REHS/RS Advisory Committee reviews and approves education and experience prior to examination. Exams are held 3rd Thursday every April and October. Registration granted 2-3 weeks after successful passage of exam.
Other Info:
Activity: Sanitarian
Environmental Health Specialist/Sanitarian Registration
License Detail URL:

Registered Environmental Health Specialist / Registered Sanitarian

Look-up Registered Environmental Health Specialists/Sanitarians

Minnesota Department of Health

      


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