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 credentials to formally demonstrate and verify their professional status.

Maintaining your Registration requires ongoing membership, compliance with our Code of Ethics and keeping up to date with your Continuing Professional Development obligations.

To become a Registered EHP you will need to complete:

If you hold a CIEH 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 enrol using the Environmental Health Practitioner (EHP) Portfolio enrolment form.

To become a Registered EHP, must pass the Practical Food ID exam. 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.
  • The EHP Portfolio has been designed to align with the Food Standard Agency's Competency Framework.

Enrolment

Please complete the enrolment form to enrol on the EHP Pathway.

The enrolment fee for the Portfolio in 2026 is £716. This also includes the cost of the Professional Discussion and certification.

Assessment of your portfolio

NB: 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.

If you receive a Fail or Deferred result, you will be required to resubmit your portfolio.

Please note that if you are required to resubmit your portfolio for a partial or full reassessment, a fee will be charged:

  • EHP Portfolio full resubmission: £102
  • EHP Portfolio partial resubmission of up to 6 reports: £15 per report

The Professional Discussion is the final gateway assessment to Registration as an Environmental Health Practitioner.

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

You must have received a PASS or DISTINCTION in your Portfolio before applying for the Professional Discussion.

The deadlines below are for applying to sit or resit the Professional Discussion. Please note that portfolio assessment can take up to six weeks.

Professional Discussion Deadline Professional Discussion Dates
17 February 2026 at 23.59 24 - 26 March 2026
26 May 2026 at 23.59 30 June - 2 July 2026
6 October 2026 at 23.59 10 - 12 November 2026

Please note that if you are required to resit your Professional Discussion, a fee will be charged:

  • Professional Discussion (Resit): £69

Further information and guidance

Professional Registration

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

Find out more