How to Get Certified to Become a Heath Inspector

Health inspectors often go through a difficult process to become certified.

As health regulations continue to change and health risks rise, the demand for qualified health inspectors will also increase. While certification is not required to work in this field, most health inspectors are able to increase their job opportunities or qualify for more jobs by obtaining a certification. Follow the steps below to learn more about becoming a certified health inspector.

Things You'll Need

• College degree
• College transcripts
• Application forms
• Computer with Internet access

Instructions

1. Learn more about the different certifications that are available for qualified health inspectors. There are several different professional organizations that award certifications to health inspectors. Each one of these certifications will allow health inspectors to specialize in handling certain types of health and safety issues or inspections. In researching their options, health inspectors should consider the certifications offered by some of the most well known professional organizations in this field such as the Board of Certified Safety Professionals (BCSP), the American Board of Industrial Hygiene (ABIH), the Council on Certification of Health, Environmental and Safety Technologists (CCHEST), the Indoor Air Quality Association (IAQA), the Board of Certification in Professional Ergonomics (BCPE) and the American Board of Health Physicists (ABHP).

2. Meet the requirements to obtain a certification. Each professional organization has specific requirements that applicants must meet in order to obtain their certification. The basic certification requirements often include having sufficient training or education in certain subjects, completing a certain number of years or hours of work experience and passing the certification exam administered by the organization. Most organizations require applicants to have a college degree from an accredited college or university in addition to experience handling safety-related job duties.

3. Pay certification fees and submit application forms. Professional organizations such as the American Board of Industrial Hygiene charge as much as $150 to apply for a certification in addition to the exam fee. Applicants may also need to submit copies of their college transcripts and reference letters along with their application. Most organizations have application deadlines, so applicants should check to make sure that they have their forms and additional paperwork submitted on time.

4. Pass the certification exam. Approved applicants will be notified by the organization when and how they can schedule their exam. Some organizations may recommend study materials or provide a candidate handbook that applicants can use to prepare for the exam. Most organizations use testing centers to administer the exam, so that all applicants will have access to a testing location.

References

• degreedirectory: Health Inspector: 5 Steps to Becoming a Health Inspector
• Bureau of Labor Statistics: Occupational Health and Safety Technicians
• Board of Certified Safety Professionals: 7 Steps to CSP Certification
• abih: Application Requirements
• CCHEST: The STS Certification Program