The membership committee makes recommendations to the board for granting fellow status. I know that there are nominees who didn't make it through the approval process. Fellows are professionals with true substance. These criteria are only a starting point. Original research is demonstrated by publishing papers in refereed journals.
Some consideration is given to articles in trade journals.
The nominee must be the principal or secondary author. Work in policy areas. Technical, scientific or management leadership in industrial hygiene. Exemplary teaching or work to improving education in industrial hygiene. Documentation is required.