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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.

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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.

Map showing the Public Health Excellent grant districts that comprise the Franklin-Hampshire Public Health Field Training Hub
This map shows the Public Health Excellence sub-regions served by the Franklin-Hampshire Public Health Field Training Hub.
Recommended education, training, and credentialing from the MA special Commission on Local and Regional Health
Recommended education, training, and credentialing from the MA special Commission on Local and Regional Health. This image can also be downloaded as a PDF in the Resources section below.

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:

  1. NEHA REHS/RS Study Guide
  2. Walter Saraniecki – REHS Examination Review Course Workbook

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.

  1. NEHA exam application: https://www.neha.org/rehs-eligibility-apply
  2. MA RS application: https://www.mass.gov/how-to/apply-for-a-credential

Resources

Staff
Bri Dupras, REHS/RS

Bri Dupras, REHS/RS

Lead Public Health Field Trainer

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Liz Jacobson-Carroll

Liz Jacobson-Carroll

Public Health Permitting and Training Coordinator

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Phoebe Walker headshot.

Phoebe Walker

Director of Community Health

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