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Because home inspectors are on the front line when it comes to evaluating the integrity of the home environment, it makes sense for ASHI to become involved in promoting a unique credential to its members.

ASHI, the National Environmental Health Association (NEHA) and The National Center for Healthy Housing (NCHH) are working together to offer the Healthy Homes Specialist (HHS) credential to ASHI members to ensure they are part of a knowledgeable workforce assisting the public in its growing concern over the issue of healthy homes.  The HHS credential can be used to help ASHI members expand the services they provide.  The Healthy Homes Specialist Credential is designed for health and housing professionals in the public, private and non-profit sectors. 
 

Use and Implementation
A variety of professionals may be interested in the Healthy Homes Specialist credential. As a member of ASHI you may use the Healthy Homes Specialist credential to expand the services you provide.

1. Individuals who have been certified or licensed as lead risk assessors, radon measurement professionals, or mold professionals. These individuals have developed a basic expertise in a specific environmental hazard in the home and should be interested in expanding their capabilities and services.

2. NEHA Registered Environmental Health Specialists seeking to document their experience and expertise in housing.

3. Public health nurses seeking to document their expertise in healthy homes. 

4. Health department and housing agency staff seeking to document their expertise in healthy homes or better position their agencies to receive HUD healthy homes grants. 

5. Licensed pest management professionals seeking to expand their services. Resolving pest problems using integrated pest management essentially relies on a knowledge base similar to the Healthy Homes Practitioner.

6. Certified home inspectors seeking to expand their business by adding healthy homes to their standard services
   

Eligibility
To be eligible to obtain the Healthy Homes Specialist Credential you must complete the Application for Healthy Homes Specialist Credential and meet the following criteria:

1. Be at least 21 years old; 

2. Have five years of experience in housing, environmental health or public health; 
   ASHI Members are exempt from this experience requirement, as their knowledge and experience in home inspection and membership to ASHI serves to fulfill it.

3. Achieve a score of 70% on qualifying examination; and 

4. Successfully complete an on-line assessment exercise. 

Application
To apply for the Healthy Homes Specialist Credential please complete the Application for Healthy Homes Specialist Credential and return it to NEHA with the appropriate fees.

Exam Content Outline
The Healthy Homes Specialist Credential examination will consist of 75 multiple-choice questions. You are given two (2) hours to complete the examination. The following represents the exam content outline:

Connection between health and housing (20% = 15 questions)

• Asthma

• Death

• Cancer

• Neurological problems

• Injury

• Damp indoor spaces

• Lead poisoning

• Radon

• Asbestos

Housing codes and related laws (10% = 7-8 questions)

Housing as a system – Basics of building science (20% = 15 questions)

Healthy homes strategies (40% = 30 questions)

• Keep it dry

• Keep it clean

• Keep it pest-free

• Keep it ventilated

• Keep it safe

• Avoid contaminants

• Maintain the home

Resources for healthy homes (10% = 7-8 questions)

Study References
While training is not a prerequisite to obtaining a credential, individuals who have completed the Essentials for Healthy Homes Practitioners course offered by the National Healthy Homes Training Center and Network will have the foundation they need to succeed. 

All course materials, including the exercises and videos are available on-line at www.healthyhomestraining.org. 

Maintaining the Healthy Homes Specialist Credential 
Once you have obtained the Healthy Homes Specialist Credential you are expected to maintain it through continuing education requirements and renewal fees.

The Healthy Homes Specialist Credential will be valid for two years from the first day of the month after you have initially obtained the credential. Within the two-year credential period you must obtain and submit to NEHA a minimum of 15 contact hours of continuing education (CE). In addition to the CE requirement, at the end of the two-year credential period you must also submit the credential renewal fee to NEHA ($85/member or $115/non-member). 

Exam Dates/Training Dates
The Healthy Homes Specialist credential will be offered in conjunction with the Training Centers. For more information please visit: www.healthyhomestraining.org/credential/. 

Listing of HHS Credential Holders by State.