The Registered Environmental Health Specialist (REHS) program, required by California Health and Safety Code Sections 106600-106735, is administered by the Environmental Management Branch. The REHS program ensures that individuals who are REHSs have met prescribed education, training, and experience requirements and have passed a comprehensive examination reflective of the demands encountered within the environmental health profession.
Important Legislative Announcement: AB 1288
Assembly Bill (AB) 1288, effective January 1, 2026, is a newly enacted law affecting the Registered Environmental Health Specialists (REHS) and Environmental Health Specialist (EHS) Trainees in California. The law establishes statutory updates related to certification pathways and associated administrative processes.
To support implementation and provide general information to applicants, registrants, and stakeholders, the Department has developed Frequently Asked Questions (PDF) summarizing key provisions of AB 1288.
AB 1288 was approved by the Governor on October 03, 2025. The text of the bill is available at the California Legislative Information Website (leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/billNavClient.xhtml?bill_id=202520260AB1288).
The FAQs are provided for informational purposes only and do not supersede statute or regulation. Content is subject to change as implementation activities continue, and additional guidance becomes available.
Important Announcement: COVID-19 and Educational Requirements
Effective Summer 2020, the REHS Program will
not accept any online laboratory classes for General Biology, General Microbiology, General Inorganic Chemistry or General Organic Chemistry.
This office has approved a General Physics Lecture and Laboratory class as an acceptable Distance Learning course. Contact this office at
REHSprog@cdph.ca.gov for a list of lecture courses that are approved to meet the REHS educational requirement.
NOTE: Laboratory courses completed in Spring 2020 which were interrupted by the current pandemic will be recognized as meeting the REHS educational requirements.
REHS Program - New Items
The following REHS program fees will go into effect on
July 1, 2023
Application Fee = $178
Examination Fee = $235
Initial Registration Fee = $327
Biennial Renewal Fee = $327
Biennial Renewal Late Fee = $163
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