WES MOORE, Governor Ch. 49
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Chapter 49
(Senate Bill 222)
AN ACT concerning
State Board of Environmental Health Specialists – Quorum, Examination, and
Apprenticeships
FOR the purpose of clarifying that a quorum of the State Board of Environmental Health
Specialists consists of a majority of appointed members; altering the circumstances
under which an applicant for licensure is qualified to take the examination by adding
completion of an apprenticeship approved by the Board as an alternative to obtaining
experience in an environmental health specialist–in–training program; authorizing
the Board to approve an examination provider to administer the examination, rather
than administering the examination itself; and generally relating to the State Board
of Environmental Health Specialists.
BY repealing and reenacting, without amendments,
Article – Health Occupations
Section 21–101(a)
Annotated Code of Maryland
(2021 Replacement Volume and 2023 Supplement)
BY adding to
Article – Health Occupations
Section 21–101(a–1)
Annotated Code of Maryland
(2021 Replacement Volume and 2023 Supplement)
BY repealing and reenacting, with amendments,
Article – Health Occupations
Section 21–204(a), 21–301(b)(1), 21–304, and 21–305
Annotated Code of Maryland
(2021 Replacement Volume and 2023 Supplement)
SECTION 1. BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF MARYLAND,
That the Laws of Maryland read as follows:
Article – Health Occupations
21–101.
(a) In this title the following words have the meanings indicated.
Ch. 49 2024 LAWS OF MARYLAND
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(A–1) “APPRENTICESHIP ” MEANS A PROGRAM OF T RAINING AND EXPERIEN CE
UNDER THE SUPERVISIO N OF A LICENSED ENVI RONMENTAL HEALTH SPE CIALIST
THAT IS PART OF THE REQUIREMENTS FOR A BOARD–APPROVED BACCALAUREATE
DEGREE FROM AN ACCRE DITED COLLEGE OR UNI VERSITY.
21–204.
(a) A majority of the APPOINTED MEMBERS OF THE Board is a quorum TO DO
BUSINESS.
21–301.
(b) This section does not apply to:
(1) An environmental health specialist–in–training PARTICIPATING IN
AN ENVIRONMENTAL HEA LTH SPECIALIST –IN–TRAINING PROGRAM OR AN
INDIVIDUAL PARTICIPA TING IN AN APPRENTIC ESHIP as provided for under § 21–305 of
this subtitle;
21–304.
(a) An applicant who otherwise qualifies for licensure is entitled to be examined
as provided in this section.
(b) An applicant qualifies to take the examination if the applicant:
(1) (i) Has graduated from an accredited college or university with a
baccalaureate degree that includes:
1. A minimum of 30 semester credit hours or the equivalent
quarter credit hours of chemical, physical, biological, and environmental sciences
acceptable to the Board;
2. A course in mathematics; and
3. Laboratory coursework as required in regulations adopted
by the Board; and
(ii) Has [obtained]:
1. OBTAINED 12 months of experience in an environmental
health specialist–in–training program approved by the Board; or
2. COMPLETED AN APPRENTICESHIP APP ROVED BY THE
BOARD; OR WES MOORE, Governor Ch. 49
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(2) Has graduated from an accredited college or university with a master’s
degree in public or environmental health science that includes:
(i) A minimum of 30 semester credit hours or 45 quarter credit
hours of chemical, physical, biological, or environmental sciences acceptable to the Board
and obtained at the baccalaureate or master’s level;
(ii) A course in mathematics;
(iii) 3 months of internship approved by the Board if not previously
completed; and
(iv) Laboratory coursework as required in regulations adopted by the
Board.
(c) (1) This subsection does not alter the requirement that an applicant
demonstrate completion of a baccalaureate or master’s degree to qualify for examination.
(2) The Board may waive any of the specific course requirements for an
applicant to qualify for examination in subsection (b) of this section if the Board determines
that an applicant:
(i) Has obtained an equivalent number of credit hours in a course
relevant to practice as an environmental health specialist; or
(ii) Has work experience that is an acceptable substitute for a course
required in subsection (b) of this section.
(d) The examination required by the Board shall include a written examination
in the physical, biological, and environmental sciences that relates to practices and
principles of environmental health.
(e) The Board shall [administer]:
(1) ADMINISTER examinations to applicants at least once a year, at the
times and places that the Board determines; OR
(2) APPROVE AN EXAMINATIO N PROVIDER TO ADMINI STER THE
EXAMINATION TO APPLI CANTS.
[(f) The Board shall notify each qualified applicant of the time and place of
examination.]
[(g)] (F) [The] IF THE BOARD ADMINISTERS THE EXAMINATION , THE Board
shall: Ch. 49 2024 LAWS OF MARYLAND
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(1) NOTIFY EACH QUALIFIED APPLICANT OF THE TIM E AND PLACE OF
THE EXAMINATION ;
[(1)] (2) Determine the subjects, scope, form, and passing score for
examinations; and
[(2)] (3) Use professional examinations prepared by recognized
examination agencies.
(G) IF A BOARD–APPROVED EXAMINATION PROVIDER ADMINISTERS THE
EXAMINATION , THE BOARD SHALL NOTIFY EA CH QUALIFIED APPLICA NT OF THE
REGISTRATION PROCE DURE FOR THE EXAMINA TION.
(h) An applicant who fails an examination may retake the examination as
provided in the rules and regulations adopted by the Board.
(i) The Board may waive any examination requirement under this section if the
Board recognizes the applicant as being outstanding in the field of environmental health.
21–305.
The Board shall adopt regulations that include:
(1) (i) The establishment of an environmental health
specialist–in–training program for applicants to obtain the necessary experience to qualify
to take the examination; and
(ii) A condition that a person may not participate in an
environmental health specialist–in–training program for more than 3 years, unless granted
an extension by the Board; [and]
(2) (i) The establishment of a seasonal environmental health
specialist–in–training program for individuals to be temporarily employed as
environmental health specialists; and
(ii) A condition that an individual may not participate in a seasonal
environmental health specialist–in–training program for more than 6 months within a
consecutive 12–month period; AND
(3) (I) THE REQUIREMENTS FOR BOARD APPROVAL OF AN
APPRENTICESHIP ; AND
(II) THE MINIMUM AND MAXIM UM DURATION OF AN
APPRENTICESHIP . WES MOORE, Governor Ch. 49
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SECTION 2. AND BE IT FURTHER ENACTED, That this Act shall take effect
October 1, 2024.
Approved by the Governor, April 9, 2024.