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Rule R156-20a. Environmental Health Scientist Act Rule.

As in effect on August 1, 2009

Table of Contents

• R156-20a-101. Title.
• R156-20a-102. Definitions.
• R156-20a-103. Authority - Purpose.
• R156-20a-104. Organization - Relationship to Rule R156-1.
• R156-20a-302a. Qualifications for Licensure - Education Requirements.
• R156-20a-302b. Qualifications for Licensure - Examination Requirement.
• R156-20a-302c. Qualifications for Licensure - Supervision Requirements.
• R156-20a-303. Renewal Cycle - Procedures.
• R156-20a-304. Professional Continuing Education.
• R156-20a-502. Unprofessional Conduct.
• KEY
• Date of Enactment or Last Substantive Amendment
• Notice of Continuation
• Authorizing, Implemented, or Interpreted Law

R156-20a-101. Title.

This rule is known as the "Environmental Health Scientist Act Rule."

R156-20a-102. Definitions.

In addition to the definitions in Title 58, Chapters 1 and 20a, as used in Title 58, Chapters 1 and 20a or this rule:

(1) "Qualified professional continuing education," as used in this rule, means professional continuing education that meets the standards set forth in Section R156-20a-304.

(2) "Unprofessional conduct," as defined in Title 58 Chapters 1 and 20a, is further defined, in accordance with Subsection 58-1-203(5), in Section R156-20a-502.

R156-20a-103. Authority - Purpose.

This rule is adopted by the division under the authority of Subsection 58-1-106(1) to enable the division to administer Title 58, Chapter 20a.

R156-20a-104. Organization - Relationship to Rule R156-1.

The organization of this rule and its relationship to Rule R156-1 is as described in Section R156-1- 107.

R156-20a-302a. Qualifications for Licensure - Education Requirements.

In accordance with Subsections 58-20a-302(1)(d), (2)(d) and (3)(d), an applicant shall satisfy the education requirement as follows:

(1) submit evidence of a bachelor's or master's degree from an environmental health program accredited by the National Environmental Health Science and Protection Accreditation Council (EHAC); or

(2) submit evidence of a bachelor's or master's degree from an accredited program in a college or university with major study in one of the following:

(a) agronomy;

(b) biology;

(c) botany;

(d) chemistry;

(e) environmental health science;

(f) geology;

(g) microbiology;

(h) physics;

(i) physiology;

(j) sanitary engineering; or

(k) zoology; or

(3) submit evidence of a bachelor's or master's degree from an accredited program in a college or university including:

(a) a college or university level algebra or math course; and

(b) 30 semester hours or 45 quarter hours from at least three of the areas of study listed in Subsection (2).

R156-20a-302b. Qualifications for Licensure - Examination Requirement.

(1) In accordance with Subsection 58-20a-302(1)(e), an applicant shall satisfy the examination requirement by submitting evidence of having passed the National Environmental Health Association Registered Environmental Health Specialist/Registered Sanitarian (REHS/RS) Examination or the National Environmental Health Association Registered Environmental Health Specialist/Registered Sanitarian-in-training Examination.

(2) An applicant may take either examination identified in Subsection (1) upon completion of the education requirements listed in Section R156-20a-302a.

R156-20a-302c. Qualifications for Licensure - Supervision Requirements.

In accordance with Subsections 58-1-203(2) and 58-20a-302(3)(f), an applicant when licensed as an environmental health scientist-in-training shall practice under the general supervision of a supervising licensed environmental health scientist for a minimum of six months, except for an applicant who has completed an environmental health science program accredited by EHAC as set forth in Subsection R156-20a-302a(1).

R156-20a-303. Renewal Cycle - Procedures.

(1) In accordance with Subsection 58-1-308(1), the renewal date for the two-year renewal cycle applicable to licensees under Title 58, Chapter 20a is established by rule in Section R156-1-308a.

(2) Renewal procedures shall be in accordance with Section R156-1-308c.

R156-20a-304. Professional Continuing Education.

(1) In accordance with Section 58-20a-304, during each two year period commencing January of each even numbered year, an environmental health scientist or environmental health scientist-in-training shall be required to complete not less than 30 hours of qualified professional continuing education directly related to the licensee's professional practice.

(2) The required number of hours of professional continuing education for an individual who first becomes licensed during the two year period shall be decreased in a pro-rata amount equal to any part of that two year period preceding the date on which that individual first became licensed.

(3) Qualified professional continuing education under this section shall:

(a) have an identifiable clear statement of purpose and defined objective for the educational program directly related to the practice of a environmental health scientist;

(b) be relevant to the licensee's professional practice;

(c) be presented in a competent, well organized, and sequential manner consistent with the stated purpose and objective of the program;

(d) be prepared and presented by individuals who are qualified by education, training, and experience; and

(e) have associated with it a competent method of registration of individuals who actually completed the professional education program and records of that registration and completion are available for review.

(4) Credit shall be recognized for professional continuing education on an hour for hour basis as a student completed in blocks of time of not less than 50 minutes in formally established classroom courses, seminars, lectures, labs, or specific environmental conferences approved, taught or sponsored by:

(a) Utah Environmental Health Association;

(b) Bureau of Environmental Services;

(c) Utah Department of Environmental Quality;

(d) Bureau of Epidemiology;

(e) State Food Program;

(f) National Environmental Health Association;

(g) Food and Drug Administration;

(h) Center for Disease Control and Prevention;

(i) any local, state or federal health agency; and

(j) a college or university which provides courses in or related to environmental health science.

(5) A maximum of 15 hours of credit may be recognized for a person who teaches continuing professional education on an hour for hour basis completed in block of time of not less than 50 minutes in formally established classroom courses, seminars, lectures, conferences which meet the requirements in Subsections (3) and (4).

(6) A licensee is responsible for maintaining competent records of completed qualified professional continuing education for a period of four years after close of the two year period to which the records pertain. It is the responsibility of the licensee to maintain such information with respect to qualified continuing professional education to demonstrate it meets the requirements under this section.

(7) If properly documented that a licensee is engaged in full time activities or is subjected to circumstances which prevent that licensee from meeting the continuing professional education requirements established under this section, the licensee may be excused from the requirement for a period of up to three years. However, it is the responsibility of the licensee to document the reasons and justify why the requirement could not be met.

R156-20a-502. Unprofessional Conduct.

"Unprofessional conduct" includes:

(1) failing to comply with the professional continuing education requirements in Section R156-20a- 304; and

(2) failing to provide general supervision as defined in Subsection 58-20a-102(2).

KEY

licensing, environmental health scientist, sanitarian, environmental health scientist-in-training

Date of Enactment or Last Substantive Amendment

July 9, 2009

Notice of Continuation

October 6, 2005

Authorizing, Implemented, or Interpreted Law

58-1-106(1)(a); 58-1-202(1)(a); 58-20a-101