Discover the training and certificates needed to become a health and food inspector.
Health and food inspectors are responsible for ensuring that the food that we eat is safe and won't make us sick.
To become a food inspector, you'll need training and to pass a certification exam. We'll break down everything you need to know below.
What Does a Health and Food Inspector Do?
A health and food inspector is a type of health and safety inspector that focuses on making sure food is safe for public consumption.
They do this by examining areas where food is prepared and served and ensuring that those places meet health, safety, and sanitization standards.
Health and food inspectors may inspect places like:
- bakeries
- banquet halls
- catering companies
- food processing plants
- food trucks
- restaurants
- supermarkets
Health and food inspectors are often employed by the government but may also be employed by private companies who want to make sure they're following regulations.
Depending on where a health and food inspector works, they may take on a variety of job duties. These duties may include:
- inspecting businesses to ensure safe food handling practices
- inspecting businesses to ensure a safe and sanitary environment
- inspecting the animals used for food
- checking for the proper labeling of foods
- ensuring all processed products comply with health and safety laws
- reporting findings to the proper personnel
- issuing fines to companies not following health and safety procedures
- shutting down companies not following health and safety procedures
- educating companies and the public about food safety
<h2 id="section---HealthAndFoodInspectorEducationAndTraining">Health and Food Inspector Education and Training</h2><p>The minimum degree you'll need to become a health and food inspector is an <a href="https://learn.org/article_directory/Associate_Degree_FAQs.html">associate degree</a>. However, most employers prefer to hire employees with bachelor's degrees.
</p><p>Many health inspectors major in public health, but you can also earn a degree in health science, food science, environmental health, or a related field.
</p><p>While a <a href="https://learn.org/article_directory/Masters_Degree_FAQs.html">master's degree</a> isn't necessary, some upper-level health and food inspector careers may require an advanced degree.
</p><p>The Council on Education for Public Health (CEPH) is an independent agency recognized by the U.S. Department of Education that accredits public health education programs.
</p><p>You can find a full list of accredited bachelor's and master's public health programs at ceph.org.
</p><h2 id="section---HealthAndFoodInspectorCertification">Health and Food Inspector Certification</h2><p>While certification isn't a requirement for all public health and food inspector careers, many employers require that employees are certified.
</p><p>There are a few different options for certification in the United States.
</p><h3 id="section---BoardForGlobalEHSCredentialing">Board for Global EHS Credentialing</h3><p>The Board for Global EHS Credentialing is a credentialing body that sets rigorous guidelines of environment, health, and safety professionals. It offers several certification options.
</p><h4 id="section---CertifiedIndustrialHygienist">Certified Industrial Hygienist</h4><p>The Certified Industrial Hygienist (CIH) certification is for those protecting the health and safety of workers and the public.
</p><p>This certification isn't just for food inspectors but also for other types of health and safety inspectors. <b>Students must demonstrate skills in several areas including:</b>
</p><ul><li>biohazards
</li><li>biostatistics and epidemiology
</li><li>health risk analysis and hazard communication
</li><li>industrial hygiene
</li><li>toxicology
</li></ul><p><b>To qualify for this certification, you must:</b>
</p><ul><li>complete the coursework and credit requirements
</li><li>be in active practice within 12 months of the application
</li><li>have four years of professional industrial hygiene work experience
</li><li>have a minimum of two professional references
</li><li>pass the CIH exam
</li><li>agree to adhere to the board's code of ethics
</li></ul><h4 id="section---CertifiedProfessionalProductSteward">Certified Professional Product Steward</h4><p>The Certified Professional Product Steward Certification (CPPS) is for those who manage consumer products throughout their lifecycle.
</p><p>These products can be anything, from food products to packaging and more.
</p><p><b>To qualify for the CPPS certification, applicants must:</b>
</p><ul><li>hold a bachelor's degree from a regionally accredited program
</li><li>have four years of professional-level experience
</li><li>be currently working as a product steward
</li><li>pass the exam
</li><li>agree to abide by the code of ethics
</li></ul><h3 id="section---BoardOfCertifiedSafetyProfessionals">Board of Certified Safety Professionals</h3><p>The Board of Certified Safety Professionals offers certification to those who make workplaces safer for workers and the public.
</p><p>They have a few different certification options for multiple industries. One option that may interest those in health and food safety is the Occupational Hygiene and Safety Technician (OHST) certification.
</p><p>This certification is for technicians whose primary job duties involve industrial health and hygiene.
</p><p><b>To qualify for this certification, you must:</b>
</p><ul><li>have a career in occupational hygiene or safety
</li><li>have three years of experience in occupational hygiene or safety
</li><li>pass the OHST certification exam
</li></ul><p><b>The exam covers seven domains:</b>
</p><ul><li>fundamental math and science and business calculations/analysis
</li><li>safety, health, and environmental programs and risk management
</li><li>hazard identification and control
</li><li>health hazards and basic industrial hygiene
</li><li>emergency preparedness, fire prevention, and security
</li><li>organizational communication and training/education
</li><li>ethics and professional conduct
</li></ul><h3 id="section---NationalBoardOfPublicHealthExaminers">National Board of Public Health Examiners</h3><p>The National Board of Public Health Examiners (NBPHE) is an independent organization that certifies public health professionals.
</p><p>They offer a Certified in Public Health (CPH) certification that requires passing an exam. <b>There are a few pathways to qualify for the exam:</b>
</p><ul><li>be a student of or have graduated from a CEPH-accredited public health program
</li><li>be a public health employee with a graduate-level degree and at least three years of experience in public health
</li><li>have a bachelor's degree in any concentration and at least five years of experience in public health
</li><li>have a relevant graduate-level degree and at least three years of experience in public health
</li><li>have a graduate-level certificate from a CEPH program and at least three years of experience in public health
</li></ul><p><b>The exam covers ten domain areas:</b>
</p><ul><li>collaboration and partnership
</li><li>communication
</li><li>evidence¨Cbased approaches to public health
</li><li>health equity and social justice
</li><li>law and ethics
</li><li>leadership
</li><li>policy in <a href="https://learn.org/article_directory/Public_Health_FAQs.html">public health</a>
</li><li>program management
</li><li>program planning and evaluation
</li><li>public health biology and human disease risk
</li></ul><h3 id="section---NationalEnvironmentalHealthAssociation">National Environmental Health Association</h3><p>The National Environmental Health Association (NEHA) is a certification body for environmental health professionals.
</p><p><b>The NEHA offers several certification options, including:</b>
</p><ul><li>Certified Foodborne Outbreak Investigator (CFOI)
</li><li>Certified in Comprehensive Food Safety
</li><li>Certified Professional - Food Safety
</li><li>Food Safety Auditor
</li><li>Registered Environmental Health Specialist/Registered Sanitarian
</li></ul><p>Each certification has specific uses and requirements. You can learn more by visiting neha.org.
</p><h2 id="section---BecomeAHealthAndFoodInspector">Become a Health and Food Inspector</h2><p>Becoming a health and food inspector requires receiving the proper education and experience as well as obtaining certification.
</p><p>Be sure to choose one of the previous certification bodies to start your career as a health and food inspector.</p>
