If you did not major in Environmental Health Science but have at least 30 semester units or 45 quarter units of approved basic science courses, you must have all your college transcripts evaluated by the California Department of Health Services.* Basic science courses include biology, inorganic chemistry or physics, microbiology and third-year college algebra or precalculus.

Contact Sia Haghighi at San Bernardino County Environmental Health Services (909) 387-4611 for an Application for Evaluation or visit the Department of Health Services web page at http://www.dhs.ca.gov/ps/ddwem/environmental/REHS/REHS.htm

What happens next?
An evaluation letter will be mailed to you approximately four weeks after the receipt of all required documentation. This letter tells you whether or not you are eligible to become a Registered Environmental Health Specialist Trainee and may list additional educational or experience requirements you need to complete.

Where can I complete the training and experience requirements?
The typical way to satisfy the training and experience requirements is to work as a R.E.H.S. Trainee for a local environmental health agency, such as San Bernardino County Environmental Health Services. The specific training plan requirements can be found on the web page under Health and Safety Code, Section 106665. You may also contact Sia Haghighi at (909) 387-4611.

When will I be eligible to take the examination to become a Registered Environmental Health Specialist?
After all of the education, training, and experience requirements have been met, you will be allowed to take the exam that is given each year in March, July and November in both Sacramento and the Los Angeles areas.

OTHER CAREERS IN ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH SCIENCE
There are additional career opportunities in environmental health science. This can include air pollution control, hazardous waste control, environmental impact evaluation plus other emerging fields.

Contact an environmental health science advisor for additional information.

*If your college degree is from another country, a commercial credential evaluation service must review the transcript and submit a letter to the Department of Health Services.