Health inspectors, or occupational health and safety technicians, scrutinize the work environment and labor conditions of businesses to ensure the protection of the public, employees, and the environment. They may work for public institutions or private corporations.
If you are interested in learning more about how to become a health inspector, continue reading below.
What Does a Health Inspector Do?
When you think of a health inspector, your first thought might be of someone who goes into restaurants and ensures that they're following proper sanitation and safety guidelines.
While restaurant health inspectors are one type of health inspector, they aren't the only ones. Health inspectors may work in all kinds of business settings.
The three primary types of health inspectors are:
- environmental health inspector: Environmental health inspectors focus on enforcing environmental laws and regulations.
- public health inspector: Public health inspectors are tasked with ensuring health and safety protocols are being followed in restaurants and other public spaces.
- safety inspectors: Safety inspectors ensure that businesses are following the standards set in place by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA).
On the job, health inspectors may have a variety of tasks to tackle.
These tasks may include:
- evaluate cooking areas, equipment, and storage areas for proper sanitation and sterilization
- help businesses develop health and safety plans
- inspect a business or organization for health, safety, or sanitation violations
- issue fines or suspend business licenses if necessary
- stay up–to–date on health and safety laws
- take samples and send them to the appropriate lab for testing
A job as a health inspector may involve frequent travel. You may also need to wear protective equipment depending on the environment.
Steps to Become a Health Inspector
To have a successful career as a health inspector, you will likely need to earn a degree, gain work experience, and obtain a certification.
You'll find an in–depth explanation of all the steps below.
Step 1: Earn a Degree
To become a health inspector, you'll want to obtain a degree. An associate degree is the minimum, but many employers and certifications require a bachelor's degree.
Bachelor's degrees typically require you to earn around 120 credits and take about four years to complete.
Some common degree options include:
Often, these degrees are available on campus and online. This allows you to earn your degree in whatever format is most convenient.
Some certifications require that you graduate from a program that's been accredited by the Council on Education for Public Health (CEPH).
The CEPH has certified hundreds of schools and programs in Public Health. You can find a complete list at ceph.org.
Step 2: Gain Work Experience
Many certifications require that you have a certain amount of work experience completed before you apply for certification.
One way to get a jump start on your work experience is to pursue internships or work–study programs while still in school.
Government agencies, like the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), offer paid internships for students in degree programs.
After college, you may be able to find jobs in places like factories, government agencies, and hospitals.
Step 3: Consider Certification
Certification isn't a requirement for all health inspector careers, but it looks good on resumes and is attractive to employers.
Several different organizations offer certifications.
Board for Global EHS Credentialing
The Board for Global EHS Credentialing (BGC) is a global credentialing body for environmental health and safety (EHS).
The BGC offers several credentials, including:
- Certified Industrial Hygiene (CIH): Certification in protecting the health and safety of workers and the public by anticipating, recognizing, evaluating, and controlling chemical, physical, ergonomic, or biological hazards.
- Certified Professional Environmental Auditor (CPEA): Certification in general auditing practice and professional–level knowledge and skills.
- Certified Professional Product Steward (CPPS): Certification in the management of raw materials, intermediate materials, and consumer products.
- Certified Process Safety Auditor (CPSA): Certification in managing the operating systems and processes that handle hazardous substances.
- Environmental Professional In–Training (EPI): A designation for environmental professionals who have recently entered the field.
- Qualified Environmental Professional (QEP): Credential that requires environmental professionals to have a broad perspective along with the knowledge and skills to solve real–world problems.
Each certification or credential is geared toward a different career path. They all have different education and experience requirements.
National Board of Public Health Examiners
The National Board of Public Health Examiners (NBPHE) is an independent organization that certifies that public health professionals have mastered the necessary skills needed for a career in contemporary public health.
To qualify for the certification exam, students must meet certain requirements. The eligibility criteria vary depending on your experience level.
These levels are:
- students of a school or program of public health accredited by the CEPH
- alumni of a school or program of public health accredited by CEPH
- public health faculty
- public health work experience
Once you've determined your eligibility, you'll register for the exam. Your application will be reviewed, and if approved, you can schedule your exam.
The certification exam covers ten domain areas.
These areas are:
- collaboration and partnership
- communication
- evidence–based approaches to public health
- health equity and social justice
- law and ethics
- leadership
- policy in public health
- program management
- program planning and evaluation
- public health biology and human disease risk
There's no time limit to take the exam. Once you've been deemed eligible, you'll always be eligible. The exam is offered at a variety of testing locations throughout the year.
National Environmental Health Association
The National Environmental Health Association (NEHA) is an organization that supports the advancement of environmental health professionals by maintaining high standards of practice and testing.
The NEHA offers multiple credentials, including:
- Certified Foodborne Outbreak Investigator (CFOI): Certification for assessing, identifying, and controlling foodborne illness risks.
- Certified in Comprehensive Food Safety (CCFS): Certification for the manufacturing and processing areas of food safety.
- Certified Professional–Food Safety (CP–FS): Credential for food safety professionals.
- Food Safety Auditor: These credentials are for those who have proven expertise in food safety management and compliance.
- Registered Environmental Health Specialist/Registered Sanitarian (REHS/RS): Certification for environmental health issues.
Each certification is ideal for specific career paths. Each has its own requirements for professionals to meet before they can take the certification exam.
Become a Health Inspector Today
Students interested in becoming health inspectors can choose from several education and certification options. Contact Best Accredited Colleges today for help choosing the right programs for you.
