2023 Maryland Statutes › Health Occupations › Title 21 - Environmental Health Specialists › Subtitle 3 - Licensing › Section 21-304 - Examinations

(a)    An applicant who otherwise qualifies for licensure is entitled to be examined as provided in this section.
(b)    An applicant qualifies to take the examination if the applicant:
(1)    (i)    Has graduated from an accredited college or university with a baccalaureate degree in the chemical, physical, biological, or environmental sciences, as defined in regulation, including:
1.    A minimum of 60 semester credit hours or the equivalent quarter credit hours of chemical, physical, biological, and environmental sciences acceptable to the Board which includes at least one laboratory course in two of the following fields:
A.    Chemistry;
B.    Physics;
C.    Biology;
D.    Geographic information systems; or
E.    Soil science; and
2.    A course in mathematics; and
(ii)    Has obtained 12 months of experience in an environmental health specialist–in–training program approved by the Board;
(2)    (i)    Has graduated from an accredited college or university with a baccalaureate degree that includes:
1.    30 semester credit hours or the equivalent quarter credit hours in the chemical, physical, biological, and environmental sciences acceptable to the Board, which includes at least one laboratory course in two of the following fields:
A.    Chemistry;
B.    Physics;
C.    Biology;
D.    Geographic information systems; or
E.    Soil science; and
2.    A course in mathematics; and
(ii)    Has obtained 24 months of experience in an environmental health specialist–in–training program approved by the Board; or
(3)    Has graduated from an accredited college or university with a master’s degree in public or environmental health science that includes:
(i)    30 semester credit hours or 45 quarter credit hours of chemical, physical, biological, or environmental sciences acceptable to the Board and obtained at the baccalaureate or master’s level, which includes at least one laboratory course in two of the following fields:
1.    Chemistry;
2.    Physics;
3.    Biology;
4.    Geographic information systems; or
5.    Soil science;
(ii)    A course in mathematics; and
(iii)    3 months of internship approved by the Board if not previously completed.
(c)    (1)    This subsection does not alter the requirement that an applicant demonstrate completion of a baccalaureate or master’s degree to qualify for examination.
(2)    The Board may waive any of the specific course requirements for an applicant to qualify for examination in subsection (b) of this section if the Board determines that an applicant:
(i)    Has obtained an equivalent number of credit hours in a course relevant to practice as an environmental health specialist; or
(ii)    Has work experience that is an acceptable substitute for a course required in subsection (b) of this section.
(3)    The Board may waive the experience requirement in subsection (b)(2)(ii) of this section if the Board determines that an applicant:
(i)    Has obtained at least 12 months of experience in an environmental health specialist–in–training program; and
(ii)    Has the written support of the applicant’s employer.
(d)    The examination shall include a written examination in the physical, biological, and environmental sciences that relates to practices and principles of environmental health.
(e)    The Board shall give examinations to applicants at least once a year, at the times and places that the Board determines.
(f)    The Board shall notify each qualified applicant of the time and place of examination.
(g)    (1)    Except as otherwise provided in this subtitle, the Board shall determine the subjects, scope, form, and passing score for examinations given under this subtitle.
(2)    The Board shall use professional examinations prepared by recognized examination agencies.
(h)    (1)    An applicant who fails an examination may retake the examination as provided in the rules and regulations adopted by the Board.
(2)    An applicant for reexamination shall:
(i)    Submit to the Board an application on the form the Board requires; and
(ii)    Pay to the Board a reexamination fee set by the Board.
(i)    The Board may waive any examination requirement under this section if the Board recognizes the applicant as being outstanding in the field of environmental health.