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NEHA > Credentialing > REHS/RS FAQs

Click on the questions (Q:) below to reveal the answers (A:).

General

• Q: Why should I apply for Open Window Reciprocity through NEHA? Is it required? Is it worth it?
  A: It is optional. You are not required to apply. If you wish to obtain the NEHA REHS/RS, it will be in addition to your state registration. Some people wish to have a more nationally recognized credential for their own personal career goals. Some want to be able to move to another state and obtain work without re-testing. It’s up to you to decide if it is worth it.
• Q: Is the NEHA REHS/RS credential recognized in all 50 states?
  A: No. It is NOT recognized in California or New Jersey. Many states have no registration requirement at all. Many states use the NEHA REHS/RS or recognize it for reciprocity. However, some states require a specific passing score and some states have additional, state-specific exams that you must pass in order to earn their state credential. NEHA is not always notified about the most recent requirements for all states. You should check with each state that you have questions about.
• Q: Why is it called the REHS/RS?
  A: NEHA’s credential is called the Registered Environmental Health Specialist/Registered Sanitarian (REHS/RS). Many states use the term “Registered Environmental Health Specialist” and many other states use the term “Registered Sanitarian.” Since the NEHA credential is used in many states, it has a combination name.
• Q: I am a Sanitarian in Training (SIT) and I have not yet taken the exam. Do I qualify?
  A: No. You must be a Registered Sanitarian (RS) and have passed the Sanitarian exam and have a current RS registration card.

NEHA Membership and NEHA Credentials

• Q: Is membership in NEHA and holding the REHS/RS the same thing?
  A: NO. MEMBERSHIP IS DIFFERENT FROM HOLDING A CREDENTIAL.
• Q: Should I become a member of NEHA when I apply for the REHS/RS credential? What are the benefits?
  A: Membership in NEHA is optional. MEMBERSHIP AND HOLDING A NEHA CREDENTIAL ARE NOT THE SAME. Paying Membership Dues is for ONE year. Anyone can become a member. If you pay for membership and renew it every year, you will get a discount on your REHS/RS credential renewal which is every TWO years. Also you will get a one year subscription to the NEHA Journal of Environmental Health. You will get discounts on our Annual Education Conference. You will also be able to get free access to 100’s of hours of online continuing education.
  
  For more information on membership, go to: http://www.neha.org/member/
• Q: What does it cost to become a member?
  A: Membership dues are $95 per year. This is different than your credential renewal fees.
• Q: How can I tell if I am already a member of NEHA?
  A: If you are a current NEHA member (not the same as holding a NEHA credential), you would have paid to join or to renew your membership in the last 12 months. You would be receiving the Journal of Environmental Health. You would have received a NEHA MEMBERSHIP card in the last 12 months with the expiration date on it.
• Q: I used to have a NEHA REHS/RS credential many years ago. Does NEHA still have my records?
  A: We might. If you submitted transcripts with your original application, we should still have those but cannot guarantee we can locate them. We will try. Contact NEHA. It may take 1-2 weeks until we can access our archived records in storage.

Application and Application Processing

• Q: Can I fax my Open Window Reciprocity application to NEHA?
  A: If you are registered in Arizona or Connecticut, you will need to send official college transcripts that must arrive at NEHA in a sealed school envelope. Your application will not be processed until we receive the transcripts. It is best to send the application and all transcripts together in one large envelope.
  
  If you are registered in Ohio or West Virginia, you do not need to send transcripts since your state’s education requirements match NEHA’s. You can fax your application if you put a credit card number on it.
• Q: I lost my application and letter. Can I get another one? OR I never received an application and letter.
  Why not?
  A: If you are registered in Arizona, you should contact the Arizona Sanitarians’ Council. They are responsible for notifying people with Arizona registrations.
  
  If you are registered in Ohio, Connecticut or West Virginia, you can contact Carol Newlin at NEHA (303)756-9090 ext. 337 or cnewlin@neha.org. You must provide the full name used on your state registration and identify the state. If your name is on the appropriate list, NEHA can send you a new letter and application.
• Q: I lost my state registration card. What do I do?
  A: Contact your state to get a replacement. You must submit a copy of a current state registration card with your Open Window Reciprocity Application.
• Q: Can I notarize my own application?
  A: No.
• Q: How long will it take to get my NEHA REHS/RS credential?
  A: Please allow 6-8 weeks from the date NEHA RECEIVES your application to get your new credential certificate. We are not responsible for slow mail service and delivery can take over a week.
• Q: My payment cleared. Why don’t I have my NEHA credential soon after that?
  A: NEHA is processing hundreds of applications in addition to regular credential applications and exams. We are a non-profit with a very small staff. We will process complete applications in the order in which they were received.
• Q: When is the deadline to apply?
  A: For West Virginia, the deadline is June 30, 2013. For Arizona, Connecticut and Ohio the deadline is February 28, 2014.

REHS/RS Renewal Fees and Requirements

• Q: When does the credential expire and how much does it cost to renew it?
  A: The REHS/RS credential is good for 2 years starting the first day of the month after your application is received at NEHA. Current credential renewal costs are expected to be $145 for NEHA members and $325 for non-members. Prices may change in the future. Membership is optional and membership dues are $95 per year.
  
  Also, 24 contact hours (24 clock hours) of Continuing Education is required every 2 years. For more CE questions, see the CE section.
• Q: How will I be notified of my credential expiration?
  A: Credential Renewal Notices are sent out by e-mail starting 3 months before the expiration date. Please keep your e-mail address updated with NEHA.

Continuing Education (CE’s)

• Q: How many hours of Continuing Education (CE’s) do I need to submit?
  A: 24 contact hours (24 clock hours) of Continuing Education is required every 2 years.
• Q: How do I submit Continuing Education?
  A: You can submit CE’s through our website or by hard copy. A CE submission form must be filled out for each submission, via the web or on paper.
• Q: Will CE’s that I submit to my state count? Will they “transfer” to NEHA?
  A: You may be able to count most of the CE courses and events that you submit to your state but you will have to submit them directly to NEHA. They do not get transferred by the state. You are responsible for submitting your CE’s before your expiration date.
• Q: What happens if I don’t submit my CE’s on time?
  A: NEHA will send you a reminder but you will be in danger of losing your credential.
• Q: I have more CE questions. How do I get answers?
  A: Review the information posted on the NEHA website Continuing Education page.

TRANSCRIPTS AND EDUCATION

• Q: Why are official transcripts required by NEHA?
  A: To qualify for the NEHA REHS/RS and to meet credential accreditation standards, an applicant must meet the NEHA academic requirements set by the NEHA Board of Directors. Official transcripts must arrive at NEHA in a sealed school envelope. Unfortunately people have tried to submit fraudulent transcripts in the past, so NEHA must be strict about this requirement.
• Q: I already submitted transcripts to my state for my state registration. Why do I have to submit them to NEHA too?
  A: NEHA does not have the transcripts that were submitted to your state. NEHA is required to have an official set of transcripts in each applicant’s REHS/RS file.
• Q: I have (or had) another NEHA credential. Does NEHA still have my transcripts? Can NEHA use those?
  A: If you submitted official transcripts with your original application, we should still have them, but not all NEHA credentials required transcripts. If your credential lapsed years ago, we cannot guarantee we can locate your old records, but we will try. Contact NEHA. It may take 1-2 weeks until we can access our archived records in storage.
• Q: Should transcripts come from me or from the school directly to NEHA?
  A: It is preferred that transcripts come with the application. However, some schools will only send directly to NEHA. That is fine. Note on your applications that transcripts will be coming separately. It’s helpful to tell how many transcripts should be arriving.
• Q: How should transcripts be addressed?
  A: NEHA, Attention: Carol Newlin, 720 S. Colorado Blvd., Suite 1000-N, Denver CO 80246.
• Q: I went to multiple schools. Which transcripts do you need?
  A: We need all the transcripts that will show that you meet the academic requirement of a Bachelor’s degree or higher, 30 semester hours or 45 quarter hours of basic science and a college level math class. If these requirements are all listed on one transcript, then we only need that one. If you had science or math courses at one school and then transferred to another school, check with the second school to make sure the transferred courses will be listed individually with each course name and the credit hours earned for each individual class. If not, we will need the transcript from the first school as well as the second.
• Q: I have multiple degrees. Which transcripts do you need?
  A: See answer above.
• Q: Can I send unofficial transcripts? Can I fax them? Can I e-mail them? Can I send a photo copy? Can I send my old opened set? Can I send a printout I get from my school’s internet records?
  A: No. That will not help your application. We can only accept official copies that arrive here in a sealed school envelope.
• Q: My school sends electronic transcripts. Can you accept those?
  A: Yes, as long as they are sent directly from the school to NEHA. They must be password protected. Have the school send the e-mail to Carol Newlin at cnewlin@neha.org.
• Q: I graduated in the 1960’s or 1970’s. Do I really need to get my official transcripts?
  A: Yes, if you want the NEHA REHS/RS. It is required. Schools keep records and can produce transcripts for that time period.
• Q: My school no longer exists. What do I do?
  A: Make an effort to track down your school’s records. Document your efforts. If you really cannot obtain your transcripts, send proof of your efforts to NEHA with a letter of appeal and any unofficial records you may have. We will review this on a case by case basis.
• Q: I have a Bachelor’s degree but not enough science and math. What do I do?
  A: You must meet the science and math requirement. If you do not have enough, you may want to enroll in more college courses in a local community college or an accredited online university. Course(s) must be completed and a grade issued and the class listed on an official transcript in time to meet the application deadline of February 28, 2014.
• Q: I have enough science and math but I do not have a Bachelor’s degree or I did not graduate yet. What do I do?
  A: You must meet the Bachelor’s degree requirement to obtain the REHS/RS. You may have the option of enrolling in more courses to finish your degree soon. Transcript must show a Bachelor’s degree was awarded by the application deadline of February 28, 2014.
• Q: I have lots of work experience. Can you count environmental health work experience in place of college coursework or a Bachelor’s degree?
  A: No, sorry. The NEHA Board of Directors has ruled that we cannot accept work experience in lieu of college credit or degree.
• Q: What types of classes count as basic science?
  A: The NEHA Board of Directors has ruled that the courses must fall into one of the following areas: 1. Natural Science. 2. Physical Science. 3. Life Science. 4. Health Science (must be science based). Classes we can generally count include Biology, Physics, Chemistry, Earth Science, Geology, Environmental Health and Environmental Science.
• Q: What types of classes do NOT count as basic science?
  A: We do not count Psychology, Sociology, Computer Science, Political Science, Anthropology (except Physical Anthropology), Geography (except Physical Geography or Land Forms), Environmental Management, Environmental Law, Criminal Justice.
• Q: Do you count Lab credits?
  A: Yes, if the lab is for a basic science course such as Biology or Chemistry.
• Q: Do you count internships, practicums, research methods, or independent study?
  A: No. Those do not qualify as basic science.
• Q: Do Public Health courses count as basic science?
  A: Some do. Many do not. We can count Epidemiology, Toxicology and courses on diseases. BioStatistics can count if it is not used to meet the math requirement. Generally Public Health courses need to be reviewed on a case by case basis.
• Q: Does Environmental Health count as basic science?
  A: Most Environmental Health courses do count.
• Q: What type of math class is required?
  A: It must be a college level math with a course number of 100 or higher. We do not accept remedial math, high school math or courses with a course number of 99 or lower. We can accept Statistics, Biostatistics (if not counted as science), Finite Math, Algebra, Trigonometry, Pre-Calculus, Calculus, Math for Liberal Arts, Math for Non-Science majors, Math for Business majors, as long as the course number is 100 or higher.
• Q: I cannot tell if I have enough science or math to qualify. Can you review my transcript before I apply?
  A: You have two options. Option 1. You can submit your transcripts for review along with the Transcript Review Request form and fee ($35 until June 30, 2013 and $50 after July 1, 2013). The form is available at the TOP of the Credential webpage. Please read all instructions on the form. Option 2. You can apply using the Open Window Reciprocity application and submit your transcripts. If you do not meet the academic requirement, a portion of your fees will be refunded. There is a $25 Non-Refundable processing fee.
• Q: I applied to NEHA before and was denied due to lack of credits. Can my transcripts be reviewed again?
  See previous answer. If we still have your official transcripts, you do not need to resubmit them but you will need to pay the fee for the review.
• Q: I don’t know if my school credits are semester hours or quarter hours. How can I tell?
  A: Carefully review every line, front and back, of your transcripts. It generally tells. If not, you may need to contact your school’s registrar’s office.
• Q: Why is it 30 semester hours and 45 quarter hours? How are they different?
  A: Schools that operate on a semester calendar offer semester hours for course credit. Schools that operate on a quarter calendar offer quarter hours for course credit. 1 semester hour equals 1.5 quarter hours. 1 quarter hour equals 0.667 semester hours. 30 semester hours equals 45 quarter hours. For a conversion chart or calculator, check the internet. If you submit your official transcripts, NEHA will perform the analysis
• Q: I graduated but my school won’t issue my transcript due to an unresolved issue. What do I do?
  A: You must submit official transcripts showing a Bachelor’s degree and the date it was awarded. Contact your school to resolve the issue.
• Q: My education is from a foreign country. Do I still need to send my transcripts to NEHA?
  A: You will have to have your education evaluated by a third party educational evaluation service that is a member of NACES. See www.naces.org for member evaluation companies. You will need to have a report that lists the individual classes and credit received for each class. This is also true for Canadian universities. For more information, contact NEHA.
• Q: Do grades or GPA matter?
  A: No. You must pass the course with a D or higher.
• Q: Why do reciprocity applicants with Arizona or Connecticut state registrations need to submit transcripts to NEHA, while applicants with some other state registrations do not?
  A: An applicant, as an individual, must meet NEHA’s academic requirements. If the academic requirement of your state program did not include everything that NEHA’s academic requirement includes (such as a Bachelor’s degree and 30 semester hours of basic science), you must submit official transcripts. This is so NEHA can determine that you, as an individual, meet all of NEHA’s academic requirements for holding the REHS/RS.

Q: Who do I contact if I still have more questions?

A: Send an e-mail to credentialing@neha.org. Please indicate your STATE and mention OPEN WINDOW RECIPROCITY in your e-mail. We will get back to you as soon as we can.