A few industrial hygienists are self-employed as consultants. Preparation A bachelor's degree in industrial hygiene, the physical sciences or engineering is the minimum educational requirement. Additional course work in mathematics and health sciences is also recommended. Communications and speech courses are also useful preparation for interacting with the public. Many industrial hygienists obtain master's degrees and some have Ph.D.'s.
Some government jobs require a civil service exam.
Certification by the American Board of Industrial Hygienists is optional but is considered by many as additional proof of professional competence. Useful high school courses include chemistry, physics, biology, business, math, English, social studies, and computer applications. Summer internships during college allow students to gain additional hands-on experience. However, certification is viewed as a measure of competence and most professionals in this occupation obtain certification from the American Board of Industrial Hygiene. Certification involves passing a two-part written examination and 5 years of work credit.