From Accredited Associate to Voting Membership (and Beyond)

Accredited Associate Members can now become fully qualified Environmental Health Practitioners (EHPs) without having to pass a CIEH accredited degree.

Until recently the only route to qualification as an EHP was via a CIEH accredited degree programme (including practical training), passing the practical training assessment and professional exams.

Passing all of these elements results in the award of a Certificate of Registration from the Environmental Health Registration Board (EHRB). An EHRB certificate of registration allows an individual to work as an EHP and to access full Voting Membership of the Chartered Institute.

During our consultation on widening the membership it became clear that many respondents felt that this route did not take full account of existing qualifications and experience, or of an individual’s personal circumstances and employment patterns.

The simplest way to gain the knowledge and skills needed to pass the practical training assessment and professional exams is via an accredited degree. The intention is that the new route will allow experienced environmental health professionals (with relevant qualifications and experience) to demonstrate their knowledge and expertise through an equivalent and equally rigorous route.

The Accredited Associate route to qualification as an EHP

Accredited Associate Members may begin to complete the Chartered Institute’s Experiential Learning Portfolio (ELP) to record evidence of their learning and skill development in every area of environmental health.

The route is summarised in a table which can be accessed in pdf form here.

To qualify as Environmental Health Practitioners, Accredited Associate Members will need:

1) A total of 5 years work experience in any aspect of environmental health following either

(a) award of EHRB qualification, or
(b) passing of CIEH Accredited Associate Assessment

2) a relevant degree (BSc, MSc, PhD, etc)

3) 3 years of Accredited Associate membership

4) To pass the Chartered Institute’s practical meat and other foods practical examination.

5) To successfully complete an Experiential Learning Portfolio (ELP).

6) To pass the Chartered Institute’s Professional Examinations in:

• Environmental Protection
• Food
• Health & Safety
• Housing
• Public Health
• Risk Audit

7) To pass the Chartered Institute’s Professional Interview.