Environmental Health Officer

Regulators
  • Royal Environmental Health Institute of Scotland
Nations
United Kingdom
Sectors
  • Health and care

Regulatory or professional bodies

Chartered body

Address

19 Torphichen Street
Edinburgh
EH3 8HX

Email address
contact@rehis.com
Phone number
+44 (0)131 229 2968

Regulation

Regulation summary

Environmental Health is that area of public health activity which strives to improve, protect and maintain health and well being through action on the physical environment and life circumstances. The principle subjects within Environmental Health in Scotland are food (safety, standards, security), occupational health and safety, environmental public health, waste management, built environment and pollution control.

Regulation type

Accreditation

Reserved activities

The Public Health (Scotland) Act requires local authorities to designate competent persons under that Act. Such persons must meet the prescribed requirements of the Royal Environmental Health Institute of Scotland (the Institute) and found to be eligible to hold the title Environmental Health Officer in Scotland.
Local Authorities in Scotland expect all professionals holding the title Environmental Health Officer to meet the requirements of the Institute. Professionals hold the title Chartered Environmental Health Officer when awarded by the Institute on an annual basis.

Protected titles

Environmental Health Officer (EHO)
Chartered Environmental Health Officer Ch.EHO MREHIS
Chartered Environmental Health Officer Ch.EHO FREHIS

More about regulated activities and titles
https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ssi/2009/301/contents/made

Qualifications and experience

New professionals

Routes to qualification

In Scotland an Environmental Health Officer must complete an accredited BSc (Hons) degree, associated practical training and professional examination including portfolio and professional interviews. A Chartered Environmental Health Officer must evidence this qualification and demonstrate ongoing continuing professional development (CPD) and compliance with the Institute's Scheme of CPD.

Professionals from outside the UK

Recognition for professionals outside the UK
All - there are routes to recognition for professionals from all countries
Summary of routes

You can provide evidence of your qualifications and experience, which is compared against the requirements for the REHIS Diploma in Environmental Health. There is a fee for this assessment. The outcome may be that you must complete further periods of practical training, academic study and/or professional examination.

More about recognition for professionals outside the UK
https://rehis.com/what-is-environmental-health/ehos-who-qualified-outside-scotland/

Registration

Registration requirements

The title Chartered Environmental Health Officer can be used by members of the Royal Environmental Health Institute of Scotland who meet the requirements.


Legislation

Title of relevant act or charter

Royal Charter of the Royal Environmental Health Institute of Scotland

Website link to legislation
https://rehis.com/about-rehis/
Title of relevant act or charter

The Public Health etc. (Scotland) Act 2008
The Public Health etc. (Scotland) Act 2008 Designation of Competent Persons Regulations 2009

Licence Finder

You may need licences and permits to carry out certain activities in the UK. These are called authorisations. Use the licence finder to find what you need.