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The Legislative Service Commission staff updates the Revised Code on an ongoing basis, as it completes its act review of enacted legislation. Updates may be slower during some times of the year, depending on the volume of enacted legislation.

Chapter 3776 | Environmental Health Specialists

 
 
 
Section
Section 3776.01 | [Former R.C. 4736.01, amended and renumbered as R.C. 3776.01 by H.B. 33, 135th General Assembly, effective 10/3/2023] Definitions.
 

As used in this chapter:

(A) "Environmental health science" means the aspect of public health science that includes, but is not limited to, the following bodies of knowledge: air quality, food quality and protection, hazardous and toxic substances, consumer product safety, housing, institutional health and safety, community noise control, radiation protection, recreational facilities, solid and liquid waste management, vector control, drinking water quality, milk sanitation, and rabies control.

(B) "Environmental health specialist" means a person who performs for compensation educational, investigational, technical, or administrative duties requiring specialized knowledge and skills in the field of environmental health science.

(C) "Registered environmental health specialist" means a person who is registered as an environmental health specialist in accordance with this chapter.

(D) "Environmental health specialist in training" means a person who is registered as an environmental health specialist in training in accordance with this chapter.

(E) "Practice of environmental health" means consultation, instruction, investigation, inspection, or evaluation by an employee of a city health district, a general health district, the environmental protection agency, the department of health, or the department of agriculture requiring specialized knowledge, training, and experience in the field of environmental health science, with the primary purpose of improving or conducting administration or enforcement under any of the following:

(1) Chapter 911., 913., 917., 3717., 3718., 3721., 3729., 3730., or 3733. of the Revised Code;

(2) Chapter 3734. of the Revised Code as it pertains to solid and hazardous waste;

(3) Section 955.26, 955.261, 3701.344, 3707.01, 3707.03, 3707.26, or 3715.021 of the Revised Code;

(4) Rules adopted under Chapter 3749. of the Revised Code pertaining to swimming pools.

"Practice of environmental health" does not include sampling, testing, controlling of vectors, reporting of observations, or other duties that do not require application of specialized knowledge and skills in environmental health science performed under the supervision of a registered environmental health specialist.

The director of health may further define environmental health science in relation to specific functions in the practice of environmental health through rules adopted by the director under Chapter 119. of the Revised Code.

Last updated October 17, 2023 at 1:45 PM

Section 3776.02 | [Former R.C. 4736.02, amended and renumbered as R.C. 3776.02 by H.B. 33, 135th General Assembly, effective 10/3/2023] Environmental health specialist advisory board.
 

There is hereby created the environmental health specialist advisory board consisting of seven members appointed by the director of health for terms established in accordance with rules adopted by the director under section 3776.03 of the Revised Code. The advisory board shall advise the director regarding the registration of environmental health specialists in training and environmental health specialists, continuing education requirements for environmental health specialists, the manner in which the passage of an examination required by section 3776.06 of the Revised Code is verified, the education and employment criteria required under section 3776.05 of the Revised Code, and any other matters as may be of assistance to the director in the regulation of environmental health specialists and environmental health specialists in training.

Each member appointed by the director shall be a registered environmental health specialist who meets the education and employment requirements of section 3776.05 of the Revised Code for registration as an environmental health specialist. At least one and not more than two of the members shall be employees of a general health district; at least one and not more than two shall be employees of a city health district; and at least one and not more than two shall be employed in private industry. Not more than one member may be employed by a university and not more than one member may be employed by an agency or department of the state.

Within ninety days of September 29, 2017, the director shall make initial appointments to the advisory board.

Last updated October 17, 2023 at 1:46 PM

Section 3776.03 | [Former R.C. 4736.03, amended and renumbered as R.C. 3776.03 by H.B. 33, 135th General Assembly, effective 10/3/2023] Director of health rules.
 

(A) The director of health shall adopt and may amend or rescind rules in accordance with Chapter 119. of the Revised Code governing all of the following:

(1) The manner in which the passage of an examination required by section 3776.06 of the Revised Code is verified;

(2) The form for application;

(3) The establishment of criteria for determining what courses may be included toward fulfillment of the science course requirements of section 3776.05 of the Revised Code;

(4) The determination of the continuing education program requirements of section 3776.07 of the Revised Code;

(5) The administration and enforcement of this chapter.

(B) The director may adopt, in accordance with Chapter 119. of the Revised Code, rules of a general application throughout the state for the practice of environmental health that are necessary to administer and enforce this chapter, including rules governing all of the following:

(1) The registration, advancement, and reinstatement of applicants to practice as an environmental health specialist or environmental health specialist in training;

(2) Educational requirements necessary for qualification for registration as an environmental health specialist or an environmental health specialist in training under division of (B) section 3776.05 of the Revised Code, including criteria for determining what courses may be included toward fulfillment of the science course requirements of that section;

(3) Continuing education requirements for environmental health specialists and environmental health specialists in training, including the process for applying for continuing education credits;

(4) The terms of office for members of the environmental health specialist advisory board created in section 3776.02 of the Revised Code;

(5) Any other rule necessary for the administration and enforcement of this chapter.

Last updated October 17, 2023 at 1:46 PM

Section 3776.04 | [Former R.C. 4736.07, amended and renumbered as R.C. 3776.04 by H.B. 33, 135th General Assembly, effective 10/3/2023] Registration application records.
 

The director of health shall keep a record of all applications for registration, including:

(A) The name and address of each applicant;

(B) The name and address of the employer or business connection of each applicant;

(C) The date of the application;

(D) The educational and employment qualifications of each applicant;

(E) The date on which the director reviewed and acted upon each application;

(F) The action taken by the director on each application.

Last updated October 17, 2023 at 1:47 PM

Section 3776.05 | [Former R.C. 4736.08, amended and renumbered as R.C. 3776.05 by H.B. 33, 135th General Assembly, effective 10/3/2023] Application for registration.
 

(A) A person seeking to register as an environmental health specialist or environmental health specialist in training shall submit an application to the director of health on a form prescribed by the director. Along with the application, the person shall submit the application fee prescribed in rules adopted under this chapter.

(B) The director shall register an applicant as an environmental health specialist if the applicant complies with the examination requirements specified under section 3776.06 of the Revised Code and meets any of the following education and employment requirements:

(1) Graduated from an accredited college or university with at least a baccalaureate degree, including at least forty-five quarter units or thirty semester units of science courses approved by the director; and completed at least two years of full-time employment as an environmental health specialist;

(2) Graduated from an accredited college or university with at least a baccalaureate degree, completed a major in environmental health science which included an internship program approved by the director; and completed at least one year of full-time employment as an environmental health specialist;

(3) Graduated from an accredited college or university with a degree higher than a baccalaureate degree, including at least forty-five quarter units or thirty semester units of science courses approved by the director; and completed at least one year of full-time employment as an environmental health specialist.

(C)(1) The director shall register an applicant as an environmental health specialist in training if the applicant meets the educational qualifications of division (B)(1), (2), or (3) of this section, but does not meet the employment requirement of any such division.

(2) An environmental health specialist in training shall apply for registration as an environmental health specialist within four years after registration as an environmental health specialist in training. The director may extend the registration of any environmental health specialist in training who furnishes, in writing, sufficient cause for not applying for registration as an environmental health specialist within the four-year period. However, the director shall not extend the registration more than an additional two years beyond the four-year period.

Last updated October 17, 2023 at 1:47 PM

Section 3776.06 | [Former R.C. 4736.09, amended and renumbered as R.C. 3776.06 by H.B. 33, 135th General Assembly, effective 10/3/2023] Examinations.
 

(A) Prior to applying for an initial environmental health specialist registration, a person shall take the credentialed national environmental health association examination administered by the department of health.

(B) The director of health shall not register the person if the person fails to meet the minimum grade requirement for the examination specified by the national environmental health association. An applicant for registration who meets the minimum grade requirement shall verify the grade with the director on a form and in a manner prescribed by the director.

Last updated October 17, 2023 at 1:47 PM

Section 3776.07 | [Former R.C. 4736.11, amended and renumbered as R.C. 3776.07 by H.B. 33, 135th General Assembly, effective 10/3/2023] Certificate of registration.
 

(A) The director of health shall issue a certificate of registration to practice to any applicant whom it registers as an environmental health specialist or an environmental health specialist in training. The director shall include the following information on the certificate of registration:

(1) The name of the person;

(2) The date of issue;

(3) The signature of the director;

(4) The designation "registered environmental health specialist" or "environmental health specialist in training."

(B) The director shall issue certificates of registration to practice, which expire biennially on the date fixed by the director and become invalid on that date unless renewed pursuant to this section. The director may renew a registration sixty days prior to the date of expiration, provided the applicant for renewal has done both of the following:

(1) Paid the renewal fee in accordance with rules adopted under section 3776.03 of the Revised Code;

(2) Submitted proof of compliance with the continuing education requirements described in this section.

(C) All registered environmental health specialists and environmental health specialists in training are required biennially to complete a continuing education program in subjects relating to practices of the profession as an environmental health specialist. The purpose of the program is that the utilization and application of new techniques, scientific advancements, and research findings will assure comprehensive service to the public.

(D) The director shall prescribe by rule a continuing education program for registered environmental health specialists and environmental health specialists in training to meet this requirement. Under the program, an environmental health specialist and environmental health specialists in training shall complete twenty-four hours of continuing education during the biennial period. At least once annually the director shall provide to each registered environmental health specialist and environmental health specialist in training a list of courses approved by the director as satisfying the program prescribed by rule. Upon the request of a registered environmental health specialist or environmental health specialist in training, the director shall supply a list of applicable courses that the director has approved.

(E) A certificate may be renewed for a period of two years at any time prior to the date of expiration upon payment of the renewal fee prescribed by section 3776.08 of the Revised Code and upon showing proof of having complied with the continuing education requirements of this section. The director may waive the continuing education requirement in cases of certified illness or disability which prevents the attendance at any qualified educational seminars during the twenty-four months immediately preceding the biennial certificate of registration renewal date. Certificates that expire may be reinstated under rules adopted by the director.

(F) An environmental health specialist shall not be required to pass an examination for purposes of renewal.

Last updated October 17, 2023 at 1:48 PM

Section 3776.08 | [Former R.C. 4736.12, amended and renumbered as R.C. 3776.08 by H.B. 33, 135th General Assembly, effective 10/3/2023] Fees.
 

(A) The director of health shall charge the following fees:

(1) To apply as an environmental health specialist in training, fifty dollars;

(2) For an environmental health specialist in training to apply for registration as an environmental health specialist, fifty dollars.

(3) For persons other than environmental health specialists in training to apply for registration as environmental health specialists, one hundred dollars.

(4) The renewal fee for a registered environmental health specialist is seventy-five dollars.

(5) The renewal fee for a registered environmental health specialist in training is thirty-five dollars.

(6) For late application for renewal, an additional seventy-five dollars.

The director, with the approval of the controlling board, may establish fees in excess of the amounts provided in this section, provided that such fees do not exceed the amounts permitted by this section by more than fifty per cent.

(B) The director shall charge a fee for the examination required by section 3776.06 of the Revised Code, provided that the fee is not in excess of the actual cost to the department of health of conducting the examinations.

(C) The director may adopt rules establishing fees for all of the following:

(1) Application for the registration of a training agency approved under rules adopted by the director pursuant to section 3776.07 of the Revised Code and for the annual registration renewal of an approved training agency;

(2) Application for the review of continuing education hours submitted for the director's approval by approved training agencies or by registered environmental health specialists or environmental health specialists in training;

(3) Additional copies of pocket identification cards and wall certificates.

(D) Any fee collected under this section shall be deposited into the general operations fund created in section 3701.83 of the Revised Code. The director shall use the money collected from such fees for the administration and enforcement of this chapter and rules adopted under it.

Last updated October 17, 2023 at 1:55 PM

Section 3776.09 | [Former R.C. 4736.13, amended and renumbered as R.C. 3776.09 by H.B. 33, 135th General Assembly, effective 10/3/2023] Denial, refusal, revocation, or suspension of certificate.
 

The director of health may deny, refuse to renew, revoke, or suspend a certificate of registration to practice in accordance with Chapter 119. of the Revised Code for unprofessional conduct, the practice of fraud or deceit in obtaining a certificate of registration, dereliction of duty, incompetence in the practice of environmental health science, or for other good and sufficient cause.

Last updated October 17, 2023 at 1:56 PM

Section 3776.10 | [Former R.C. 4736.14, amended and renumbered as R.C. 3776.10 by H.B. 33, 135th General Assembly, effective 12/29/2023] Reciprocity.
 

The director of health may, upon application and proof of valid registration, issue a certificate of registration to any person who is or has been registered as an environmental health specialist or environmental health specialist in training by any other state, if the requirements of that state at the time of such registration are determined by the director to be at least equivalent to the requirements of this chapter.

Last updated December 29, 2023 at 4:53 AM

Section 3776.11 | [Former R.C. 4736.15, amended and renumbered as R.C. 3776.11 by H.B. 33, 135th General Assembly, effective 10/3/2023] Registration required to practice environmental health.
 

(A) No person shall engage in, or offer to engage in, the practice of environmental health without being registered in accordance with this chapter.

(B) No person except a registered environmental health specialist shall use the title "registered environmental health specialist" or the abbreviation "R.E.H.S." after the person's name, or represent self as a registered environmental health specialist.

(C)(1) No person except a registered environmental health specialist in training shall use the title "registered environmental health specialist in training" or the abbreviation "E.H.S.I.T." after the person's name, or represent self as a registered environmental health specialist in training.

(2) No environmental health specialist in training shall engage in the active practice of environmental health for a period exceeding six years from the date that the environmental health specialist in training's registration was initially issued. During the period that a person is engaged as an environmental health specialist in training, the person shall undertake the duties of an environmental health specialist in training solely under the supervision of a registered environmental health specialist in good standing. Such supervision is a condition for the advancement of an environmental health specialist in training to an environmental health specialist.

(D) Whoever violates this section is guilty of a misdemeanor of the fourth degree.

Last updated October 17, 2023 at 1:58 PM

Section 3776.12 | [Former R.C. 4736.17, renumbered as R.C. 3776.12 by H.B. 33, 135th General Assembly, effective 10/3/2023] Effect of child support default on certificate.
 

On receipt of a notice pursuant to section 3123.43 of the Revised Code, the director of health shall comply with sections 3123.41 to 3123.50 of the Revised Code and any applicable rules adopted under section 3123.63 of the Revised Code with respect to a certificate issued pursuant to this chapter.

Last updated October 17, 2023 at 1:59 PM

Section 3776.13 | [Former R.C. 4736.18, amended and renumbered as R.C. 3776.13 by H.B. 33, 135th General Assembly, effective 10/3/2023] Compliance with law regarding sanctions for human trafficking.
 

The director of health shall comply with section 4776.20 of the Revised Code.

Last updated October 17, 2023 at 1:59 PM