The Franklin-Hampshire Public Health Field Training Hub, hosted by the Franklin Regional Council of Governments, is one of ten statewide training hubs funded by the MA Department of Public Health (DPH). Central trainers at the state level will provide local environmental health staff with a standardized, consistent set of inspection classroom trainings, including food, housing, camp, pool, septic, and soil inspection trainings. Once those are complete, local inspectors can get field training from the FRCOG. FRCOG will also provide support and capacity building opportunities to Board of Health clerks in the two counties.
The Franklin-Hampshire Field Training Hub covers 51 municipalities, primarily in Franklin & Hampshire Counties, with some communities in Worcester & Hampden Counties. The regional field training hubs are a cornerstone of the DPH’s Office of Local and Regional Health’s Workforce Development initiatives to strengthen the competencies and capacity of the local public health workforce to not only meet the current Performance Standards, but to develop leaders in transforming the local public health system.
Trainings hubs will follow a 3-tiered model that includes basic self-paced on-line training modules, in-depth knowledge-based competency development in the classroom, and hands-on competency and skills development in the field.
Credentialing Information
The MA Office of Local and Regional Health (OLRH) has adopted the National Environmental Health Association’s (NEHA) Registered Environmental Health Specialist/Registered Sanitarian (REHS/RS) exam as the required exam for the Massachusetts Registered Sanitarian credential. Read more about the exam, and find answers to frequently asked questions regarding MA credentialing below.
Those who have passed the REHS/RS exam within the past 36 months must apply for the Massachusetts RS credential. Review the application process
For current REHS/RS credential holders, who took and passed the exam over 36 months ago, a reciprocity application is in the works. Once available, the OLRH will announce the process on the bi-weekly LBOH webinar and OLRH webpage.
Once you are licensed in MA, you no longer have to renew with NEHA; however, the MA credential is only valid in MA where the NEHA credential is nationally recognized.
Yes- the Western MA Public Health Association has two different study guides available to borrow:
To request a study book, contact Bri Dupras.
Eligible individuals should apply to take the exam through NEHA first. Once passed, you will then apply to become a MA RS.
- NEHA exam application: https://www.neha.org/rehs-eligibility-apply
- MA RS application: https://www.mass.gov/how-to/apply-for-a-credential
Resources
Field Hub Training Materials
Franklin-Hampshire Public Health Field Training Hub Resource Library
Links
General Information
- Local Public Health Resources (frcog.org)
- MA Dept. of Public Health Office of Local and Regional Health
- Overview of Local Public Health in Massachusetts (Mass.gov)
Groups and Associations
- Massachusetts Association of Health Boards (MAHB)
- National Environmental Health Association (NEHA)
- W MA Public Health Association (WMPHA)
Training Information
- Local Public Health Institute of Massachusetts Training Library
- Western MA Public Health Association Seminars
- Registered Sanitarian information – Mass.gov
- Registered Sanitarian information – NEHA
- Request RS study guide from WMPHA
Public Health Preparedness
Documents
- Franklin-Hampshire Field Trainings Hub/Public Health Excellence Districts Map (PDF, 302 KB)
- MA Commission on Local and Regional Health’s Educational, Training, and Credentialing Recommendations (PDF, 4 MB)
- Blueprint for Excellence: Recommendations for Improved Effectiveness and Efficiency of Local Public Health Protections (PDF, 11.5 MB)
- Public Health Emergency Preparedness and Response Capabilities (PDF, 5.8 MB)
Bri Dupras, REHS/RS
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Liz Jacobson-Carroll
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Phoebe Walker
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