# Title 33 — State Department of Health

## Article 33-30 — Environmental Health Practitioner Licensure

## Chapter 33-30-02 — Initial Licensure and Renewals

Practitioner
Safety
### § 33-30-02-01. Licensure application.

An application for a license to practice environmental health must be made to the department on
forms provided by the department upon request. The application must contain reasonably required
information.
1. Each application for a license must be accompanied by:
a. A prescribed fee.
b. A transcript verifying completion of college degree.
2. All applications must be signed by the applicant.
3. The department may request additional information or clarification of information provided in
the application the department deems reasonably necessary.
4. If the department so directs, an applicant shall personally appear before the department
concerning the application.
History: Effective February 1, 1988; amended effective January 1, 2026.
General Authority: NDCC 43-43-04
Law Implemented: NDCC 43-43-04
### § 33-30-02-02. Licensure renewal.

A license is renewable biennially on January first of each biennium. A license must be renewed on
forms provided by the department. The renewal forms must be accompanied by the renewal fee and
proof of meeting the continuing education requirements. A license not renewed within two years of its
expiration may not be renewed, and it may not be restored, reissued, or reinstated. An individual whose
license has expired may reapply for a new license if the individual meets the requirements of North
Dakota Century Code chapter 43-43 and this article.
History: Effective February 1, 1988; amended effective January 1, 2026.
General Authority: NDCC 43-43-04
Law Implemented: NDCC 43-43-04
### § 33-30-02-03. Fees.

1. An applicant shall pay the following fees in connection with environmental health practitioner
and certified professional - food safety applications, renewals, and penalties:

a. Application fee for an environmental health practitioner and certified professional - food
safety license - $50.00.
b. Renewal fee for an environmental health practitioner and certified professional - food
safety license - $15.00.
c. Late renewal penalty fee per month - $2.00.
d. Duplicate or changed license fee - $10.00.
2. The department shall assess licensure and renewal fees for a partial licensure period on a
prorated basis.
History: Effective February 1, 1988; amended effective January 1, 1993; May 1, 2004; April 1, 2012;
January 1, 2026.
General Authority: NDCC 43-43-04
Law Implemented: NDCC 43-43-04
### § 33-30-02-04. Qualifications and requirements for licensure as an environmental health

practitioner.
1. An applicant shall complete an application for licensure and pay the required application fee.
2. An applicant shall have received a baccalaureate degree that includes at least thirty semester
or forty-five quarter credits in a physical, chemical, or biological science, or a degree beyond
baccalaureate in environmental health or in a physical, chemical, or biological science.
3. The applicant shall pass the national registered environmental health specialist/registered
sanitarian (REHS/RS) examination administered by the national environmental health
association or equivalent. An applicant meeting the licensure requirements in subsections 1
and 2 who has not yet passed the environmental health REHS/RS examination is considered
board eligible. An individual who is board eligible may work in the field of environmental health
but such work must be under the direction and supervision of a licensed environmental health
practitioner. An individual who is board eligible may work under a licensed environmental
health practitioner for no more than a total of five years after which the individual may work in
the field of environmental health only after passing the national REHS/RS examination. An
environmental health practitioner licensed prior to January 1, 1993, is exempt from the
examination requirement.
History: Effective February 1, 1988; amended effective January 1, 1993; May 1, 2004; January 1,
2026.
General Authority: NDCC 43-43-04
Law Implemented: NDCC 43-43-04
### § 33-30-02-04.1. Qualifications and requirements for licensure as a certified professional -

Food safety.
1. The applicant shall complete an application for licensure and pay the required application fee.
2. The applicant shall meet at least one of the following criteria in the "degree" or "experience"
track:
a. Degree track:
(1) A baccalaureate degree in an accredited environmental health or food science
curriculum or a baccalaureate in physical, chemical, or biological sciences, including
at least thirty semester hours or forty-five quarter credits in a physical, chemical, or

biological science, or a degree beyond baccalaureate in environmental health or in
a physical, chemical, or biological science;
(2) A bachelor's degree with at least two years' experience in food protection; or
(3) A bachelor's degree and possession of the NEHA REHS/RS credential.
b. Experience track:
(1) An associate's degree; and
(2) Four years of progressive experience in food safety work and successful passage of
the certified professional food manager (CPFM) or food safety managers
certification examination (FSMCE), supersafe mark examination, or servsafe
examination; or
(3) A high school diploma or general educational development and five years of
progressive experience in food-related work, and successful passage of the certified
professional food manager (CPFM), food safety managers certification examination
(FSMCE), supersafe mark examination, or servsafe examination.
3. The applicant shall pass the national certified professional - food safety (CP-FS) examination
administered by the national environmental health association or equivalent. An applicant
meeting the requirements in subsections 1 and 2 who have not yet passed the CP-FS
examination is considered board eligible. An individual who is board eligible may work in the
field of food safety but such work must be under the direction and supervision of a licensed
certified professional-food safety, doctor of veterinary medicine, medical doctor, doctor of
osteopathy, dentist, registered sanitarian, or registered environmental health specialist. An
individual who is board eligible may work under the supervision of those previously listed for
no more than a total of five years after which the individual may work in the field of food safety
only after passing the CP-FS examination.
History: Effective May 1, 2004; amended effective April 1, 2012; January 1, 2026.
General Authority: NDCC 43-43-04
Law Implemented: NDCC 43-43-04
### § 33-30-02-05. Reciprocity.

An individual may be licensed to practice environmental health in North Dakota if the individual
presents an application, application fee, and proof of licensure in another state or county whose
requirements for licensure equal those of North Dakota.
History: Effective February 1, 1988; amended effective January 1, 2026.
General Authority: NDCC 43-43-04
Law Implemented: NDCC 43-43-04
### § 33-30-02-06. Requirement for licensure.

An individual engaged in the practice of environmental health in the state is required to be licensed.
History: Effective February 1, 1988; amended effective January 1, 2026.
General Authority: NDCC 43-43-04
Law Implemented: NDCC 43-43-04
