About Environmental Health

The Environmental Health (EH) Division works to ensure community safety by assessing environmental conditions, reducing exposure to health risks, and educating the public about sources of health risks. A career in the Environmental Health Division gives individuals the opportunity to contribute to positive changes that benefit the community.

What is a Registered Environmental Health Specialist?

A Registered Environmental Health Specialist (REHS) is often referred to as a "Health Inspector." These professionals possess expertise in various scientific fields, including chemistry, physics, biology, microbiology, mathematics, and environmental health. To qualify as a REHS, an individual must fulfill the educational and training requirements set by the California Department of Public Health (CDPH) and begin as an Environmental Health Specialist I (Trainee).

What is an Environmental Health Technician?

An Environmental Health Technician (EHT) enforces environmental health laws under supervision. Responsibilities include identifying health issues, issuing violation notices, conducting re-inspections, and collecting invalid permits. Through various programs, EHTs gain experience that supports their decision to pursue becoming an REHS.

Each of these positions plays an important role in protecting public health and preventing exposure to conditions that may harm people's health in the places where they work, live, and play. To protect public health, these professionals conduct inspections to ensure compliance with health and safety codes for a variety of businesses, including food facilities, children's camps, body art establishments, public pools, and other industries.

Are you passionate about helping others? Do you aspire to safeguard public health? If so, this could be the perfect career for you! Explore the path that aligns with your aspirations.

Environmental Health Specialist I Trainee (EHS I) Highlights

  • Four months of classroom instruction
  • Responsibility for organizing your daily agenda
    • Ability to map out your inspection type and route each day
  • Opportunity to apply classroom knowledge through practical field training
  • Work locations available throughout LA County:
    • ESH I trainees may be assigned to any Environmental Health District Inspection Office.
  • Fieldwork includes:
    • Conducting routine inspections
      • Identifying risk factors that impact health
      • Providing feedback to business operators regarding necessary corrective measures
    • Investigating complaints
  • Flexibility to begin your day either in the office or in the field (conditions apply)
  • Opportunity to work as a trainee for up to five years

About the Position

The Environmental Health Specialist I (EHS I) Trainee position is a temporary assignment lasting up to five years. The EHS I position serves as an invaluable starting point for individuals pursuing a career in environmental health. Trainees gain the hours and work experience needed to advance to the next step of this career path: taking and passing the California Department of Public Health (CDPH) state exam to become a Registered Environmental Health Specialist (REHS). Once they pass this exam, they will be eligible to apply for the permanent Environmental Health Specialist II position.

EHS I Trainees learn techniques for conducting environmental health inspections and investigations, as well as implementing enforcement measures.

Trainees rotate through at least three specialty programs, including:

  • Body Art
  • Cross Connection
  • Drinking Water
  • Solid Waste
  • Environment Emergency Management
  • Onsite Wastewater Treatment
  • Specialized Food Services for Dairy

Trainees are also prepared to communicate effectively, resolve conflicts, de-escalate situations, and more!

Check out our Career flyer

Minimum Requirements to become an EHS I

(Additional coursework may reduce required experience or training hours.)

  • A bachelor's degree in any field of study
  • Basic Science coursework, including life, natural, physical, and health sciences
  • A minimum 30 semester units or 45 quarter units in laboratory science courses
  • Required coursework includes:
    • Calculus or College Algebra (3rd-year level)
    • General Biology Lecture/Lab*
    • General Chemistry Lecture/Lab*
    • General Microbiology Lecture/Lab*
    • General Organic Chemistry Lecture/Lab or General Physics Lecture/Lab*

*Three of the required courses must include an in-person laboratory component. Virtual or online laboratory sessions do not meet the requirements for the Registered Environmental Health Specialist (REHS) profession.

To be eligible to apply for the EHS I Trainee position, individuals must fulfill the educational and training requirements (coursework options) established by the California Department of Public Health (CDPH).

How to Apply for EHS I Trainee

Your educational requirements must be verified before applying for the EHS I Trainee position with Los Angeles County. Follow the application steps below or view a printable version of the application instructions.

Step 1: Apply for a Transcript Evaluation

For Domestic Transcripts

(Universities and colleges within the United States)

  • Apply with CPS HR Consulting.
  • Pay the $300 evaluation fee at the time of application at: https://ehspay.cpshr.us/
  • The evaluation process takes approximately 4 to 6 weeks.

Option V candidates may send official transcripts directly to the REHS Program Coordinator without requiring a transcript evaluation.

For Foreign Transcripts

(Universities and colleges outside of the United States)

  • Have transcripts evaluated by a foreign transcript evaluation service.
  • A list of approved foreign credential evaluation services is available upon request from the CDPH EHS Registration Program.
  • Request a course-by-course evaluation.
  • Forward the evaluation to the EHS Registration Program.

For more information, visit: bit.ly/4upwy8q

Step 2: Apply for an Eligibility Review

Complete the CDPH application for eligibility review.

  • Include transcript evaluation results.
  • Pay the $178 fee by check or money order.
  • Mail the application and payment to:

    California Department of Public Health
    EHS Registration Program
    1725 23rd St., Suite 110
    Sacramento, CA 95816

A Letter of Eligibility will be issued by U.S mail and email within a few days of receipt.

  • The application remains active for 30 months if the applicant is eligible.
  • If the applicant has not applied for an EHS I Trainee position within 30 months, a verification request will be sent regarding their continued interest in the position.
  • If no response is received, the file will be destroyed and the applicant must reapply.

Step 3: Apply with Los Angeles County

After receiving the Letter of Eligibility, apply with Los Angeles County.

How to Become a Registered Environmental Health Specialist (REHS)

Within five years of serving as an EHS I Trainee, trainees may become eligible to sit for the California Department of Public Health (CDPH) exam. They are required to successfully pass a Chief Evaluation and Milestone test within the Environmental Health Division unit to which they are assigned, following their classroom training.

Upon passing the CDPH exam, the EHS I Trainee becomes a Registered Environmental Health Specialist, making them eligible to apply for the permanent position of EHS II position.

However, if the EHS I Trainee does not pass the exam within the five-year timeframe, they will be separated from County service and must reapply with CDPH to obtain a new Letter of Eligibility for the EHS I Trainee position. They may then reapply with Los Angeles County as an EHS I Trainee and repeat the trainee process.

The CDPH REHS Program ensures that Registered Environmental Health Specialists (REHSs) meet education, training, and experience requirements and pass a comprehensive exam. Exams are held in March, July, and November in Northern and Southern California. Candidates must submit a form at least one month prior to the exam.

Eligible exam candidates must submit a signed request in writing pay the $178 exam fee to:

California Department of Public Health
EHS Registration Program
1725 23rd St., Suite 110
Sacramento, CA 95816

 OR EMAIL: REHSprog@cdph.ca.gov

Cancellation Policy:

  • Notify the REHS Program by the first day of the exam month if unable to attend.
  • Failing to cancel or attend will result in a $35 fee, payable within two weeks after the exam.

For more information, visit the CDPH, Registered Environmental Health Specialist Program page.

Environmental Health Technician Highlight

EH technicians can work in many different programs including:

Water Program

  • Duties include collecting samples of ocean water in Los Angeles County, including Catalina Island.
  • Water samples are then analyzed to determine the levels of harmful bacteria.

Tobacco Control and Prevention Program

  • Conduct routine inspections of tobacco retailers and shops
  • Participate in underage sales sting operations
  • Communicate violations observed to the Tobacco Control Program (e.g., sale of flavored tobacco products, failure to post required license, operating without a license)

EHT technicians also work in other programs such as Rental Housing Habitability, Community Health, Community Events, Customer Support, Plan Check, Homebased Food Operations, Mobile Food, Onsite Wastewater Treatment, Cross Connection, and Outbreak Investigations & Evaluation.

About the Position

Environmental Health Technicians (EHTs) play a crucial role under close supervision, assisting Environmental Health Specialists with routine tasks related to the inspection and enforcement of environmental health and consumer protection laws. EHTs are essential in safeguarding public health by:

  • Identifying and addressing environmental health issues
  • Issuing violation notices
  • Conducting re-inspections
  • Reviewing permits for compliance
  • And performing other related duties

EHTs operate within various Environmental Health programs, each providing distinct work experiences. These positions serve as a valuable stepping stone, offering individuals the opportunity to gain experience and determine whether they wish to pursue the requirements to become a Registered Environmental Health Specialist.

Requirements for becoming an Environmental Health Technician:

  • Completion of 12 semester units (or equivalent quarter units) from an accredited college or university in:
    • Chemistry
    • Zoology
    • Microbiology or Biology
  • A valid California Class C Driver's License is required to perform job-related essential functions.

How to Apply for EHS Technician

Are you hesitant to dive straight into a full-time career but eager to gain valuable experience? Exploring our internship options offers a unique opportunity to build skills, expand your network, and discover your career interests in a supportive and dynamic environment.

Discover the Opportunities:

A Day in the Life of...

helicopter with Environmental Health Technician

An Environmental Health Technician

Embarking on a trip to Catalina Island to collect ocean water samples for bacteria testing.

A Registered Environmental Health Specialist III

Carrying out a routine inspection at an organized camp.

Public Health Snapshot in Youtube