Environmental health encompasses all of the external factors that affect human health and wellbeing. This ranges from the air we breathe, the food we eat and the water we drink, to the wider impact of human-made hazards on the world around us.

Poor health often results from poor environments, and by helping to improve the conditions in which we live and work, Environmental Health Practitioners (EHPs) make a huge difference to the public's health and wellbeing.

EHPs can be found in every community, working hard every day to keep us healthy and safe and to reduce health inequalities. Depending on their role, EHPs may be generalists, working across all areas of environmental health, or specialists with particular areas of expertise.

Registered EHPs are accredited by CIEH and have passed a rigorous assessment of their skills and competence. In addition to being listed on a formal register, they can also use a digital credential to formally demonstrate and verify their professional status.

To become a Registered EHP you will need to complete:

If you hold an accredited BSc and MSc, you are in the final year of a BSc EHP apprenticeship or you are in the 'year out' of an accredited BSc (sandwich course), you will be able to register.

Please note that you will need to have passed the Practical Food ID exam to become a Registered EHP. This is included in most, but not all, accredited degree courses.

  • The EHP Portfolio is your opportunity to demonstrate the knowledge and skills you have gained on your accredited course in practice in a workplace setting.
  • The Portfolio consists of interventions in each area of environmental health.
  • While completing your portfolio you will need to be supported by a workplace supervisor assigned by your employer.
  • A minimum of 6 months must be spent working on your portfolio. The 6 month time period begins at the point of enrolment, even if you are using historic evidence.
  • The Portfolio will be signed off by your employer and then submitted to CIEH for assessment.

It takes about 6 weeks for this assessment to be completed. When you receive a satisfactory result for your portfolio you will be able to apply for your Professional Discussion.

The registration fee for the Portfolio is £681 during 2024. This also includes the cost of the Professional Discussion and certification.

The Professional Discussion (PD) is the final gateway assessment to Registration as an EHP.

It is a face-to-face conversation (usually conducted by video conference) about some fictional environmental health scenarios and related issues.

Successful candidates will be awarded a Certificate of Registration, be added to our Register of EHPs and will be able to use digital credentials to verify their status.

The EHP Portfolio has been designed to align with the Food Standard Agency's Competency Framework.

Further information:

Professional Discussion Deadline Professional Discussion Dates
16 January 2024 20-22 February 2024
28 May 2024 2-4 July 2024
08 October 2024 12-14 November 2024

Information on how to apply for reasonable adjustments or the consideration of extenuating circumstances can be found below:

For more detailed information about becoming a Registered EHP and the EHP Portfolio, please see our FAQs.

Pathways to Registration

Find out how to become professionally Registered based on your skills and career plans.

Find out more