Information on how to get certified for two specific local public health roles can be found below.
Certified Health Officer (CHO)
Certified Health Officers provide leadership in public health at the state or local level. In addition to being an administrative officer of a health department or Board of Health, they are responsible for evaluating the health needs of diverse communities and taking appropriate measures to meet those health needs. These duties include developing budgets and programs and directing the department staff to carry out their responsibilities efficiently and ensure compliance with applicable statutes, regulations, and established standards.
Through community engagement, training and integrating DPH’s Strategic Plan to Advance Racial Equity, CHO’s provide effective, equitable, understandable, and respectful quality care and services that are responsive to the diverse cultural health beliefs and practices, preferred languages, health literacy, and other communication needs.
This credential requires:
- Passing score on the Certified in Public Health (CPH) exam administered by the National Board of Public Health Examiners (NBPHE).
- Transcripts from a medical license, undergraduate or graduate degree in public health, or other related fields with a public health law course.
- Resume with related work experience.
Registered Sanitarian (RS)/Registered Environmental Health Specialist (REHS)
Registered Sanitarians oversee environmental and health initiatives and interventions in food protection and safety, water protection, air quality, noise, industrial and land pollution, sewage disposal, hazardous and toxic substances, solid waste management, and other related environmental health topics. They work to improve the quality of life for all people in the Commonwealth and to provide effective, equitable, understandable, and respectful quality services to the diverse communities served.
This credential requires:
- Passing score on the REHS/RS exam administered by the National Environmental Health Association (NEHA).
- Transcripts from an undergraduate or graduate degree in sanitary science, public health, environmental science, or related fields.
- Resume with related work experience.
To learn more about these credentials, please visit the Office of Local and Regional Health Credentialing webpage.