Environmental Health Registration Board – Use of “Trainee” Designation in a Professional Setting

Environmental Health Registration Board – Use of “Trainee” Designation in a Professional Setting 

If you are an environmental health specialist trainee or waste water specialist trainee registration holder, please be sure to include your status as a “trainee” when presenting yourself in a professional setting, such as on a business card, email signature or survey report. Omitting the word trainee from your title when presenting yourself in a professional setting could constitute a violation of board laws and rules.  

Under ORS 0.020 Registration required. Without first complying with the provisions of this chapter, no person shall:

(1) Use or assume the title or any other designation or advertise a title or designation indicating that the person is an environmental health specialist or waste water specialist.

(2) Perform the duties of an environmental health specialist or waste water specialist.

(3) Append after the name of the person the title of “registered environmental health specialist” or the letters “REHS.”

 Under ORS 676.612(2)(d) It is prohibited to practice under a false, misleading or deceptive name, or impersonating another authorization holder.

Under OAR 331-020-0075(12) Unprofessional conduct under ORS 676.612, includes using a title or initials that imply that the authorization holder holds an authorization to practice that the authorization holder does not hold, or using a title or initials that are false, misleading or deceptive.