Health Inspector: Educational Requirements for a Career in Health Inspection
Health inspectors enforce compliance with environmental and sanitation standards. They investigate and enforce health statutes for restaurants, hotels, swimming pools and industrial complexes. They typically complete a bachelor's degree program in a natural science.
Educational Requirements to Become a Health Inspector
Health inspectors, also known as sanitarians or environmental health specialists, typically earn a bachelor's degree in environmental health, sanitary science or a natural science. Students who've completed any bachelor's degree program that includes 30 semester hours or 45 quarter hours of natural sciences are generally eligible for sanitarian positions. Some employers may not require a degree as long as applicants have completed 30 semester hours of natural sciences coursework.
Natural science courses that commonly meet eligibility requirements include biology, chemistry, physics, pathology, anatomy, air pollution, industrial hygiene, soil science, toxicology and public health. Social sciences, such as anthropology and psychology, may not apply. Organizations that accredit programs relevant to health inspectors include the National Environmental Health Science and Protection Accreditation Council and the Council for Higher Education Accreditation.
Registration Information for a Health Inspector
Most state or county health departments require individuals to pass a registration examination to be able to practice as a health inspector. In addition to satisfying an education requirement, most municipalities also require some work experience in health inspection or a related field to be eligible to sit for the examination.
Professional organizations, such as the National Environmental Health Association (NEHA) typically administer the registration examinations, which occur several times per year. Common test topics include sampling and investigative procedures, food safety, water, wastewater, hazardous materials and pests.
Continuing Education Requirements
Most municipalities require environmental health specialists to renew their registration with a requirement to complete continuing education credits to be eligible for renewal. Registration renewal typically takes place every 1-2 years and requires 12-15 hours of continuing education per calendar year. Continuing education providers may include government agencies, non-profit professional organizations and accredited universities.
Related to Health Inspector: Educational Requirements for a Career in Health Inspection
- Related
- Recently Updated
- Popular
How to Become a City Health Inspector: Career Roadmap
Research the requirements to become a city health inspector. Learn about the job description and duties and read the...
Health Inspector Licensing and Credentialing Information
Health inspectors enforce and evaluate workplace safety and health codes and laws. While some inspectors can find work...
Public Health Inspector: Job Description, Duties and Salary Info
The public health inspector is responsible for inspecting certain public establishments, ensuring their accordance...
How to Become a Public Health Inspector
Learn how to become a public health inspector. Research the education and career requirements, training information...
What Degree or Major Should a Health Inspector Have?
- Health Inspector Degree and Certificate Program Information
- Health Inspection Careers: Information and Requirements
- How to Be a Restaurant Health Inspector: Career Roadmap
- Top Ranked Medical Assisting Degree Programs - Denver, CO
- Top Ranked University for Computer Engineering and Electronics - Columbus, OH
- Top Ranked Marketing Degree Program - Phoenix, AZ
- Top Accounting and Finance Degree Programs - Phoenix, AZ - Phoenix, AZ
- Health Inspection Classes and Courses Overview
- Become an Environmental Health Inspector: Education and Career Roadmap
- Best School for a Degree in Communications - Bakersfield, CA
- Top School for a Paralegal Studies Degree - Jacksonville, FL
- Top Bachelor's Degree Program in Computer Information Systems - Houston, TX
28 Popular Schools
-
Minimum eligibility requirements:
- Must be 21 years of age or older and have completed some college or 24 years of age or older and a high school graduate for a Bachelor's degree
- Masters degree applicants must have a Bachelors degree
- Doctorate degree applicants must have a Masters degree
School locations:
- Online Learning
Online Programs
- Doctorate
-
Master
-
- Master of Public Health - General
- MS in Human Services - Public Health
-
- Bachelor
-
Minimum eligibility requirements:
- Must be a high school graduate or have completed GED
- Currently not accepting applicants from Minnesota or Tennessee
School locations:
- Online Learning
Online Programs
-
Minimum eligibility requirements:
- Must be a high school graduate or have completed GED
School locations:
- Online Learning
Online Programs
-
Minimum eligibility requirements:
- Must be a high school graduate or have completed GED
School locations:
- Online Learning
Online Programs
-
Minimum eligibility requirements:
- Must be a high school graduate.
School locations:
- Online Learning
Online Programs
-
Master
-
- Master of Science in Education - Allied Health Teaching and Leadership
-
-
Bachelor
-
- BS in Public Safety
- BA in Health Services Administration
-
- BS in Health Science
-
-
Associate
-
- AA in Health Services Administration
-
-
Minimum eligibility requirements:
- Must be a high school graduate or have completed GED
School locations:
- Online Learning
- California (1 campus)
- Colorado (1)
- Minnesota (1)
- Texas (1)
Online and Classroom-Based Programs
-
Master
-
- MS in Health Services Management
- Bachelor
- Associate
-
Minimum eligibility requirements:
- All programs require applicants to have graduated high school in 2008 or earlier
- Must be 22 years of age or older
School locations:
- Online Learning
Online Programs
-
Minimum eligibility requirements:
- Must be a high school graduate or have completed GED
School locations:
- Online Learning
- Arizona (5 campuses)
- California (25)
- Colorado (2)
- Florida (4)
- Georgia (2)
- Hawaii (2)
- Louisiana (1)
- Michigan (1)
- Nevada (2)
- Ohio (1)
- Tennessee (1)
- Texas (4)
- Virginia (1)
Online and Classroom-Based Programs
- Doctorate
- Master
- Bachelor
-
Associate
-
- Associate of Arts - Health Care Administration/Electronic Health Records
- Associate of Arts Foundations in Health Care Administration
- Associate of Arts Foundations in Health Care Administration/Medical Records
-
- Non-Degree
-
Minimum eligibility requirements:
- Must have either two or more years of college or active military status if you are under 24 years of age
School locations:
- Online Learning
Online Programs
-
Minimum eligibility requirements:
- Must be a high school graduate or have completed GED
- Currently not accepting applications from Texas residents
School locations:
- Online Learning
Online Programs
-
Master
-
- MBA Dual Concentration: Healthcare Management and Public Safety Leadership
- MBA Dual Concentration: Accounting and Public Safety Leadership
- MBA Dual Concentration: Business Management and Public Safety Leadership
-
- MBA Dual Concentration: Healthcare Management and Project Management
- MBA Dual Concentration: Human Resources and Public Safety Leadership
- MBA Dual Concentration: Project Management and Public Safety Leadership
-
- Bachelor
