Main Content
A NJ Registered Environmental Health Specialist (REHS) is an individual who has an active NJ REHS license issued by the NJ Department of Health (NJDOH).
In New Jersey, an REHS acts as the front-line investigator for many of the state’s public health and environmental regulations. REHSs work as health inspectors, environmental compliance managers, and environmental consultants in both the public and private sectors.
About the REHS License
The REHS license is a required credential for health inspectors who work in all New Jersey health departments, including state. Many private sector organizations (e.g. non-profit environmental groups, environmental consulting firms, and grocery stores) also require or recommend the REHS license for anyone conducting quality assurance inspections, environmental sampling, and monitoring and assessment of food, air, water, or soil. Learn more about the NJ REHS licensing process.
REHS Job Description
The work of Registered Environmental Health Specialists may include:
- Food protection and safety
- Water protection
- Air quality
- Noise pollution
- Industrial and land pollution
- Sewage disposal
- Hazardous and toxic substances control
- Solid waste management
- Institutional health and safety
- Epidemiological investigations
Job Opportunities for Licensed REHSs
The most common employment opportunity for New Jersey REHSs is at the local government level, with hundreds of health inspector positions at local, regional, and county health departments. REHSs are also employed at the state level by NJDOH and NJDEP.
Alternatively, some individuals are employed by federal agencies (e.g. the Food and Drug Administration, the US Department of Agriculture) or private sector organizations (e.g. non-profit environmental groups, environmental consulting firms, and grocery stores).
Job titles for REHS-related positions may include: health inspector; sanitary inspector; environmental compliance manager; environmental consultant; and many more. Learn more about REHS job opportunities.
Average Salaries for a Licensed REHS in New Jersey
If you’re working in the public sector (at a local, county, or state health department), salary ranges vary depending on the municipality and your level of experience.
On the low end, municipalities with limited budgets may have starting salary ranges of $32,000 to $40,000, while those with larger budgets may have starting salaries in the range of $45,000 to $60,000.
Visit our REHS salary information page for more details on compensation for environmental health specialists.
REHS Career Advancement Opportunities
There are plenty of advancement opportunities for licensed REHSs working in the public sector; many health departments employ sanitary inspector trainees (those without REHS licenses yet), entry level REHSs, Senior REHSs, and Chief REHSs. Additional experience and education can help an REHS move up through the ranks or move into related careers like planning, epidemiology, or becoming a NJ Health Officer.
