The Texas Department of Licensing & Regulation (TDLR) partnered with PSI Services in 2019 to revise the Registered Sanitarian (RS) examination in the state of Texas. The new exam went into effect on May 1, 2019.
Primary Differences
There are several major differences between the old Texas RS exam and the new RS exam.
- The old exam only had 100 questions. The new exam has 135 questions, of which 120 are scored.
- A candidate only needed 61% correct to pass the old RS exam. A candidate needs 70% to pass the new exam beginning on May 1, 2019.
- The new exam has a decreased importance on food-safety related questions. The old exam had 22% of questions dedicated to this topic. The new exam only dedicates 15%.
- The old exam only had 14 references. The new exam has 22 references.
The Breakdown
Here is the updated outline for the new Texas RS examination:
- Food & Food Systems – 18 questions
- Water – 18
- Wastewater – 16
- Epidemiology – 14
- Emergency Response – 12
- Vector Management – 10
- Waste – 7
- Facility Inspections – 7
- Basic & Natural Sciences – 6
- Industry & Institutional Hygiene – 6
- Health Administration & Regulations – 6
The new Texas Registered Sanitarian Examination will consist of 120 Scored Items (165 minutes to complete) and a successful candidate needs score of 70% or better to pass. There are also 10 non-scored items (15 minutes to complete). The examination fee remains the same at $60.
Registration Requirements
In order to qualify for the Texas RS exam, a candidate must gain prior approval from TDLR and must meet the following requirements:
- You must hold a bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university including at least 30 semester hours in a basic or applied science. An official transcript from an accredited college or university that meets or exceeds the education requirements must be included with your application materials.
- You must have at least two years of full-time experience in the fields of consumer health, environmental health, or sanitation. Regularly assigned duties must have included consumer health, environmental health, or sanitation. Experience requirements must be documented on a Sanitarian Experience Verification Form.
- If you are certified by the National Environmental Health Association (NEHA) as a Registered Environmental Health Specialist/Registered Sanitarian (REHS/RS), you must include a copy of your certificate.
- Submit a completed application form (Apply Online or see Registered Sanitarian Application) along with the application fee of $130.
Read “What Exactly Does a Registered Sanitarian Do?” by clicking on the link.
TEXAS PUBLIC HEALTH SOLUTIONS 
I failed the exam. Do you have the answers?!
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Hi Blake. We’re sorry you didn’t pass the exam, but I’m sure you’ll do better on your next attempt. Study hard!
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Where can we get the Questions and Answers on this test so we can actually study the ones we missed and know what they are.
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Unfortunately this does not exist. Did you study the reference materials listed?
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Where can I find the reference materials to study for the registered Sanitarian?
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The reference materials are listed in the Candidate Information Bulletin. Here are the references that the exam is based on …
REFERENCE LIST This examination is CLOSED BOOK. The examination has been developed using the most current editions of the reference materials shown below. APPROVED REFERENCES ▪ Certified Pool-Spa Operator Handbook, 2014, National Swimming Pool Foundation ▪ Control of Communicable Diseases Manual, 20th Edition, 2014, D. Heymann, MD ▪ Environmental Engineering, 5th Edition, 2003. J.A., Salvato, N. Nemerow, F. Agardy ▪ Essential Epidemiology: Principles and Applications, 1st Edition, 2002, W. Oleckno 10 ▪ Essentials of Food Safety and Sanitation, 4th Edition, 2004. D. McSwane, R. Linton ▪ Environmental Health, 3rd Edition, 2002, M. Morgan ▪ Environmental Law Handbook, 23rd Edition, 2017 ▪ Emergency Response Guidebook (ERG): Spiral Bound, 1st Edition, Department of Transportation ▪ The Handbook of Environmental Health, Volume 1, 4th Edition, 2003, H. Koren, M. Bisesi, ISBN: 1-56670-536-3 ▪ The Handbook of Environmental Health, Volume 2, 4th Edition, 2003, H. Koren, M. Bisesi, ISBN: 1-56670-547-9 ▪ NEHA REHS/RS Study Guide, 5th Edition, 2021, National Environmental Health Association ▪ Preparing for Biological Terrorism: An Emergency Services Guide, 2002, George Buck ▪ Principles of Food Sanitation, 6th Edition, 2018, N. Marriott, M. Schilling, R. Gravani ▪ The Public Health Law Manual, 3rd Edition, 2004, Frank Grad, APHA ▪ SuperSafeMark Guide to Food Safety, Third Edition, 2009, D. McSwane, R. Linton, N. Rue APPROVED INTERNET REFERENCES ▪ Department of State Health Services https://www.dshs.state.tx.us/foodestablishments/faq.aspx ▪ FEMA National Incident Management System, Third Edition, October 2017 https://www.fema.gov/sites/default/files/202007/fema_nims_doctrine-2017.pdf ▪ FDA Food Code, 2017 https://www.fda.gov/Food/GuidanceRegulation/RetailFoodProtection/FoodCode/ucm595139.htm ▪ Public Health and Medical Annex (H) State of Texas Emergency Management Plan https://www.preparingtexas.org/Resources/documents/State%20and%20Fed%20Plans/2016_04_14_Public_Health_and_Medi cal_Annex_PUBLISHED.pdf ▪ Texas Administrative Code, Title 30, Chapter 285, Rules 285.3, 285.4, 285.31 https://texreg.sos.state.tx.us/public/readtac$ext.ViewTAC?tac_view=4&ti=30&pt=1&ch=285 ▪ Texas Department of Agriculture http://www.texasagriculture.gov/RegulatoryPrograms.aspx ▪ Texas Commission Environmental Quality https://www.tceq.texas.gov/agency/mission.html
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is there a way to become a Registered Sanitarian without a Bachelor’s Degree?
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No, a Bachelor’s degree is required.
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Considering there are many different ways to ask questions about a particular subject, is there a publicly available source to see sample questions?
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Unfortunately there is not.
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That oversight needs to be remedied.
Is the test a fill in the blank test? Is the test a short answer test? I assume it is a multiple choice test, since that would ensure that it is graded without bias, but in making the test multiple choice, the method of questioning becomes very important. And without that information, how do I know what method is the best method to study for test? After all, 2+2= and “John has two apples, Jimmy gives him two more apples, how many apples does John have now” ask the same question, but in two different ways. Or it be be asked 2+?=4. Or a variety of other question structures.
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It is a multiple choice test. You have to refer to the Candidate Information Bulletin for references to study.
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