Texas updated its Registered Sanitarian (RS) exam on May 1, 2019.
Now NEHA, the National Environmental Health Association, is updating its own Registered Environmental Health Specialist (REHS) examination starting on September 1, 2021.
What is the REHS Credential?
The REHS credential is the gold standard for environmental health professionals. Environmental health specialists, sanitarians, and other public health professionals with this credential have demonstrated competency in a diverse range of environmental health issues. REHS credential holders are key stakeholders in ensuring communities are in compliance with local, state, and federal environmental health regulations.
Public health professionals work tirelessly to ensure that communities all across the USA have access to clean air, safe food, and potable water. An individual with a REHS credential has the skill set to ensure that these basic community necessities are met as well as to manage other critical functions such as emergency response, vector control, sewage sanitation, hazardous material handling, and more.
Each and every one of the environmental health specialists at TexasPHS have numerous credentials and certifications, including the REHS credential from NEHA and the Registered Sanitarian license from the State of Texas. We love Texas and we love keeping Texans safe!
To find out more about what a Texas Registered Sanitarian does, read more HERE.
Key Differences
The number of total questions on the new REHS exam is decreasing from 250 to 225. The new exam will have 200 scored and 25 unscored pilot questions. Don’t worry, the new exam will be just as rigorous as the existing exam–reducing the number of questions will not make the exam easier!
Also, the composition of the exam is changing. 66% of the new REHS exam will focus on “Conducting Inspections” and “Conducting Investigations.” These are the two main areas that TexasPHS would focus on if we were taking the exam.
For more information on the new exam breakdown: New NEHA REHS exam FAQs
Reciprocity Information with Texas
State of Texas RS Exam to NEHA: A candidate must pass the full-length NEHA REHS exam to obtain the coveted REHS credential. The Texas RS exam IS NOT eligible for reciprocity with NEHA.
NEHA REHS Credential to the State of Texas: The Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation (TDLR) DOES recognize the REHS credential. If you are a Registered Environmental Health Specialist (REHS) with NEHA, you must include a copy your REHS certificate in the state application to receive reciprocity.
Other Differences
| New Texas RS Exam (May 1, 2019) | New NEHA REHS Exam (September 1, 2021) |
| 120 Scored + 10 Unscored Questions | 200 Scored + 25 Unscored Questions |
| 70% Correct to Pass | ~72% Correct to Pass *NEHA utilizes scaled scoring similar to the SAT |
| Total Cost: $190 *Includes: RS Application + Exam Fee | Total Cost: $390 for a NEHA Member, $575 for a non-member *Includes: Application Fee + Exam Fee + PearsonVUE Fee |
| Texas RS exam IS NOT recognized by NEHA | NEHA REHS Exam IS recognized by Texas |
| 64.1% Pass Rate | Pass Rate Data not Available |
TEXAS PUBLIC HEALTH SOLUTIONS 
I would highly recommend that people take the existing REHS exam before September 1st, 2021.
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Test scores do tend to decrease when a new exam is introduced. That’s a great idea, Dawn! Thanks for sharing.
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