NEHA currently serves more than 6,000 members to advance the environmental health and protection professional for the purpose of providing a healthful environment for all. Professionals who earn a Registered Environmental Health Specialist/Registered Sanitarian credential from NEHA are recognized as having achieved an established standard of excellence. These environmental health professionals master a body of knowledge (which is verified by examination), and acquire sufficient experience to satisfactorily perform work responsibilities in the environmental health field.
In addition to maintaining high standards of practice and testing for its credentialing programs, NEHA provides training and resources for continuing education through online courses and an online bookstore; holds an annual conference; fosters networking and career growth; and publishes the widely-respected peer-reviewed Journal of Environmental Health.
NEHA is governed by a 14-member board of directors and benefits from various committees and technical advisors who serve as subject matter experts. NEHA employs approximately 30 paid professionals dedicated to providing quality programs to the NEHA Membership.
NEHA’s Mission
Drawing on the original effort that led to the creation of NEHA, the association today stands as a strong professional society with more than 6,000 members across the nation. Clearly NEHA’s mission, “To build, sustain, and empower an effective environmental health workforce” is as relevant today as it was when the organization was founded.
Advancement has been defined by NEHA in terms of both education and motivation. The basis for the association’s activities is the belief that the professional who is educated and motivated is the professional who will make the greatest contribution to the healthful environmental goals which we all seek. Accordingly, great emphasis is placed on providing, through each of NEHA’s programs, both an educational as well as a motivational opportunity. At NEHA’s conferences, for example, tremendous attention is paid to developing a quality educational program that not only imparts knowledge to the attendee but, also, through the very quality of the presentations, inspires the attendee to do more upon returning to his or her job.
NEHA’s Origin
The National Environmental Health Association (NEHA) had its origins in the state of California where it was incorporated in 1937. The original impetus behind the creation of a national professional society for environmental health practitioners was the desire by professionals of that day to establish a standard of excellence for this developing profession. This standard, which has come to be known as the Registered Environmental Health Specialist/Registered Sanitarian credential, signifies that an environmental health professional has mastered a body of knowledge (which is verified through the passing of an examination), and has acquired sufficient experience, to satisfactorily perform work responsibilities in the environmental health field. The pioneers of the association believed that such a credential was necessary if the environmental health field was to grow and take shape as a legitimate and widely respected profession
NEHA Culture
NEHA is proud to foster a culture that supports and encourages the growth and development of all our employees. Our employees work hard every day to ensure the success of NEHA and our members. Visit our Culture page to learn more about our great team and what it's like to work at NEHA.
Annual Reports
Click here to view an archive of our Annual Reports, which highlight successes and milestones of the organization.