CIEH launches new Registration pathway and digital credentials

CIEH has today launched its new pathway to Registration as an Environmental Health Practitioner (EHP).

The new pathway replaces the Environmental Health Registration Board (EHRB) and has been created to reflect a growing demand from employer groups and a range of stakeholders. It provides a modernised route to develop highly-regarded professionals, helping to solve the workforce crisis in environmental health.

Registration is designed to reassure the public, employers and other parties that an EHP is qualified and highly-skilled. CIEH's new pathway will help to produce competent EHPs in a reasonable timeframe, without compromising on professional standards.

The new pathway follows an extensive engagement programme with members and critical stakeholders, including a series of online meetings with employer groups, academics, CIEH's own advisory groups, and assessors, along with a survey of members.

Comprising three clear steps to achieve registration, those aiming to achieve this standard must obtain an accredited BSc or MSc in Environmental Health, then build a portfolio of workplace activities, before finally being interviewed by two CIEH assessors.

EHPs are then entered onto the register of EHPs, which takes its place alongside a register of chartered EHPs and a register of food safety practitioners.

To support the launch of this new pathway, CIEH has also created a cutting-edge digital badge scheme. This will enable eligible EHPs to show their level of registration and verify their status across social media, email signatures and personal websites. 2022 will also see the inclusion of digital badges for membership grades.

Dr Phil James, Chief Executive of CIEH, said:

“I am delighted to be able to announce this new Registration pathway.

This is something that members and employers have told us they want, and we have worked extensively with stakeholders across the board to ensure that it reflects their needs.

Modernising our registration process and ensuring that being an Environmental Health Practitioner is an ongoing mark of competence and professionalism has been the Board’s number one priority.

The creation of our digital credentials is also part of our ongoing commitment to supporting professionalism in environmental health, and we believe that, alongside our Professional Register, this exciting initiative will benefit both environmental health professionals and the wider profession and community as a whole.”