DEPARTMENT OF LICENSING AND REGULATORY AFFAIRS

DIRECTOR’S OFFICE

SANITARIANS REGISTRATION – GENERAL RULES

(By authority conferred on the director of the department of licensing and regulatory

affairs by sections 16145, 16148, and 18413 of the public health code, 1978 PA 368,

MCL 333.16145, 333.16148, and 333.18413, and Executive Reorganization Order Nos.

1991-9, 1996-2, 2003-1, 2009-10, and 2011-4, MCL 338.3501, 445.2001, 445.2011,

333.26364, and 445.2030)

PART 1. GENERAL PROVISIONS

R 338.3901 Definitions.

Rule 1. (1) As used in these rules:

(a) "Code" means the public health code, 1978 PA 368, MCL 333.1101 to

333.25211.

(b) "Department" means the department of licensing and regulatory affairs.

(c) “NEHA” means the National Environmental Health Association.

(d) “REHS/RS” means the registered environmental health specialist/registered

sanitarian credential from NEHA.

(2) A term defined in the code has the same meaning when used in these rules.

History: 1982 AACS; 1991 AACS; 2008 AACS; 2020 AACS; 2023 AACS.

R 338.3901a Rescinded.

History: 2016 AACS; 2020 AACS.

R 338.3902 Rescinded.

History: 1982 AACS; 1991 AACS; 2008 AACS; 2020 AACS.

R 338.3903 Rescinded.

History: 1982 AACS; 1991 AACS; 2008 AACS; 2020 AACS.

R 338.3904 Rescinded.

History: 1982 AACS; 1991 AACS.

Page 1

Courtesy of Michigan Administrative Rules

R 338.3905 Rescinded.

History: 1982 AACS; 1991 AACS; 2020 AACS.

R 338.3906 Rescinded.

History: 1982 AACS; 1991 AACS; 2008 AACS; 2020 AACS.

R 338.3906a Rescinded.

History: 2008 AACS; 2020 AACS.

R 338.3907 Rescinded.

History: 1982 AACS; 1991 AACS.

R 338.3908 Rescinded.

History: 1982 AACS; 2008 AACS; 2014 AACS.

R 338.3909 Rescission.

Rule 9. The rules of the board of sanitarians, being R 325.1401 to R 325.1412 of

the Michigan Administrative Code, appearing on pages 1800 to 1802 of the 1979

Michigan Administrative Code, are rescinded.

History: 1982 AACS.

R 338.3910 Rescinded.

History: 2008 AACS; 2020 AACS.

PART 2. EDUCATION

R 338.3911 Accreditation standards; adoption by reference.

Rule 11. (1) The standards for accrediting environmental health baccalaureate

programs developed and adopted by the National Environmental Health Science and

Protection Accreditation Council (EHAC), P.O. Box 66057, Burien, Washington 98166

in the publication entitled "Requirements for the Accreditation of Environmental Health

Page 2

Courtesy of Michigan Administrative Rules

Science and Protection Baccalaureate Degree Programs,” in force January 1, 2024, which

is available at no cost from the council's website at https://www.nehspac.org/, are

approved and adopted by reference.

(2) The standards for accrediting environmental health graduate programs developed

and adopted by EHAC, P.O. Box 66057, Burien, Washington 98166 in the publication

entitled "Guidelines for the Accreditation of Environmental Health Science and

Protection Graduate Degree Programs,” in force January 1, 2025, which is available at no

cost from the council's website at https://www.nehspac.org/, are approved and adopted by

reference.

(3) The standards for recognition of accrediting organizations developed and

adopted by the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA), One Dupont Circle

NW, Suite 510, Washington D.C. 20036, in the publication entitled “CHEA Standards

and Procedures for Recognition,” effective October 4, 2021, which are available at no

cost on the council’s website at https://www.chea.org, are approved and adopted by

reference.

(4) The criteria for recognition and the recognition process for the secretary’s

recognition of accrediting agencies of the United States Department of Education, 400

Maryland Avenue, S.W., Washington, D.C. 20202, in 34 CFR 602.10 to 602.39, effective

July 1, 2020, which are available at no cost on the United States Department of

Education’s website at https://www.ed.gov/, are approved and adopted by reference.

(5) Copies of the standards and criteria approved and adopted in this rule are

available for inspection and distribution at a cost of 25 cents per page from the Bureau of

Professional Licensing, Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs, 611 West

Ottawa Street, P.O. Box 30670, Lansing, Michigan 48909.

History: 2020 AACS; 2023 AACS; 2025 MR 18, Eff. Sept. 19, 2025.

R 338.3913 Sanitarian educational training requirements.

Rule 13. (1) An applicant for a sanitarian registration shall complete an educational

program that satisfies 1 of the following requirements:

(a) A bachelor’s degree, master’s degree, or doctoral degree in environmental health

from an educational program accredited under the standards approved and adopted under

R 338.3911(1) or (2).

(b) A bachelor’s degree, master’s degree, or doctoral degree in any subject from an

accredited educational institution and the accrediting organization or agency satisfies the

standards or criteria approved and adopted under R 338.3911(3) or (4) and the degree

included both of the following requirements:

(i) Not less than 30 semester hours or 45 quarter hours of college level credit in

basic science coursework, including engineering sciences, environmental sciences, health

sciences, life sciences, natural sciences, or physical sciences.

(ii) College level credit for coursework in mathematics or statistics.

(c) A bachelor’s degree, master’s degree, or doctoral degree from an educational

program at an institution found outside the United States that is substantially equivalent

to the educational requirements under subdivision (a) or (b) of this subrule.

Page 3

Courtesy of Michigan Administrative Rules

(2) If an applicant is a graduate of an educational program under subrule (1)(b) of

this rule, the applicant’s educational credentials must undergo a curriculum evaluation

conducted by NEHA.

(3) If an applicant is a graduate of an educational program under subrule (1)(c) of

this rule, the applicant’s educational credentials must be evaluated by a credential

evaluation organization that is a current member organization of the National Association

of Credential Evaluation Services (NACES).

(4) The applicant shall have the educational program verify that the applicant has

successfully completed the program by having the program send the applicant’s official

transcripts to the department.

History: 2020 AACS; 2023 AACS.

PART 3. REGISTRATION

R 338.3921 Training standards for identifying victims of human trafficking;

requirements.

Rule 21. (1) Under section 16148 of the code, MCL 333.16148, the individual

seeking registration or who is registered shall have completed training in identifying

victims of human trafficking that satisfies all the following:

(a) Training content must cover all the following:

(i) Understanding the types and venues of human trafficking in this state or the

United States.

(ii) Identifying victims of human trafficking in healthcare settings.

(iii) Identifying the warning signs of human trafficking in healthcare settings for

adults and minors.

(iv) Identifying resources for reporting the suspected victims of human trafficking.

(b) Acceptable providers or methods of training include any of the following:

(i) Training offered by a nationally recognized or state-recognized, health-related

organization.

(ii) Training offered by, or in conjunction with, a state or federal agency.

(iii) Training obtained in an educational program that has been approved by the

department for initial registration, or by a college or university.

(iv) Reading an article related to the identification of victims of human trafficking

that satisfies the requirements of subdivision (a) of this subrule and is published in a peer

review journal, healthcare journal, or professional or scientific journal.

(c) Acceptable modalities of training include any of the following:

(i) Teleconference or webinar.

(ii) Online presentation.

(iii) Live presentation.

(iv) Printed or electronic media.

(2) The department may select and audit a sample of individuals and request

documentation of proof of completion of training. If audited by the department, the

individual shall provide an acceptable proof of completion of training, including either of

the following:

Page 4

Courtesy of Michigan Administrative Rules

(a) Proof of completion certificate issued by the training provider that includes the

date, provider name, name of training, and individual’s name.

(b) A self-certification statement by the individual. The certification statement

must include the individual’s name and 1 of the following:

(i) For training completed under subrule (1)(b)(i) to (iii) of this rule, the date,

training provider name, and name of training.

(ii) For training completed under subrule (1)(b)(iv) of this rule, the title of article,

author, publication name of the peer review journal, healthcare journal, or professional or

scientific journal, and the date, volume, and issue of publication, as applicable.

History: 2020 AACS; 2023 AACS; 2025 MR 18, Eff. Sept. 19, 2025.

R 338.3923 Examination; adoption.

Rule 23. The department approves and adopts the registered environmental health

specialist/registered sanitarian examination developed by NEHA. The passing score for

the registered environmental health specialist/registered sanitarian examination is the

passing score established by NEHA.

History: 2020 AACS.

R 338.3925 Registration; requirements.

Rule 25. (1) An applicant for a sanitarian registration shall satisfy the requirements

of the code and the rules promulgated under the code, and all the following requirements:

(a) Provide the required fee and a completed application on a form provided by the

department.

(b) Provide proof, as directed by the department, verifying completion of 1 of the

following:

(i) The requirements of R 338.3913(1)(a). No proof of prior work experience is

required.

(ii) The requirements of R 338.3913(1)(b) and verification from the applicant’s

employer that the applicant has completed 4,000 hours in planning, developing, or

implementing systems to improve the quality of air, water, food, or other environmental

factors that affect the health of the public.

(iii) The requirements of R 338.3913(1)(c), subject to the following requirements:

(A) If the credential evaluation required under R 338.3913(3) determines that the

applicant’s educational credentials are substantially equivalent to R 338.3913(1)(a), no

proof of prior work experience is required.

(B) If the credential evaluation required under R 338.3913(3) determines that the

applicant’s educational credentials are substantially equivalent to R 338.3913(1)(b),

verification is required from the applicant’s employer that the applicant has completed

4,000 hours in planning, developing, or implementing systems to improve the quality of

air, water, food, or other environmental factors that affect the health of the public.

(c) Provide proof, as directed by the department, verifying a passing score on the

examination adopted under R 338.3923.

Page 5

Courtesy of Michigan Administrative Rules

(2) If an applicant for a sanitarian registration provides proof, as directed by the

department, that the applicant is a current holder in good standing of the REHS/RS

credential, then it is presumed that the applicant satisfies the requirements of subrule

(1)(b) and (c) of this rule.

History: 2020 AACS; 2023 AACS; 2025 MR 18, Eff. Sept. 19, 2025.

R 338.3927 Registration by endorsement.

Rule 27. (1) An applicant for a sanitarian registration by endorsement shall satisfy

the requirements of the code and the rules promulgated under the code, and all the

following requirements:

(a) Provide the required fee and a completed application on a form provided by the

department.

(b) Provide proof, as directed by the department, verifying a current and full

sanitarian license or registration in another state.

(c) Provide proof, as directed by the department, verifying that the applicant

completed the educational requirements in the United States for licensure or registration

as a sanitarian in the United States.

(d) Provide proof, as directed by the department, verifying a passing score on the

examination adopted under R 338.3923.

(2) If an applicant for a sanitarian registration provides proof, as directed by the

department, that the applicant is a current holder in good standing of the REHS/RS

credential, then it is presumed that the applicant satisfies the requirements of subrule

(1)(c) and (d) of this rule.

(3) An applicant who is or has been licensed, registered, or certified in a health

profession or specialty by another state, the United States military, the federal

government, or another country shall disclose that fact on the application form. The

applicant shall satisfy the requirements of section 16174(2) of the code, MCL 333.16174,

including verification from the issuing entity showing that disciplinary proceedings are

not pending against the applicant and sanctions are not in force at the time of application.

If registration is granted and it is determined that sanctions have been imposed, the

department may impose appropriate sanctions under section 16174(5) of the code, MCL

333.16174.

History: 2020 AACS; 2023 AACS; 2025 MR 18, Eff. Sept. 19, 2025.

R 338.3929 Application for sanitarian reregistration; requirements.

Rule 29. (1) An applicant whose sanitarian registration has lapsed may be

reregistered within 3 years after the expiration date of the registration under section

16201(3) of the code, MCL 333.16201, if the applicant satisfies the requirements of the

code and the rules promulgated under the code, and both of the following requirements:

(a) Provides the required fee and a completed application on a form provided by the

department.

(b) Establishes good moral character as that term is defined in, and determined

under, 1974 PA 381, MCL 338.41 to 338.47.

Page 6

Courtesy of Michigan Administrative Rules

(2) An applicant whose sanitarian registration has lapsed may be reregistered more

than 3 years after the expiration date of the registration under section 16201(4) of the

code, MCL 333.16201, if the applicant satisfies the requirements under the code and the

rules promulgated under the code, and all the following requirements:

(a) Establishes good moral character as that term is defined in, and determined

under, 1974 PA 381, MCL 338.41 to 338.47.

(b) Provides fingerprints as required under section 16174(3) of the code, MCL

333.16174.

(c) Provides proof, as directed by the department, verifying a passing score on the

examination adopted under R 338.3923 during the 3-year period immediately preceding

the date of application for reregistration.

(3) If an applicant for a sanitarian reregistration provides proof, as directed by the

department, that the applicant is a current holder in good standing of the REHS/RS

credential, then it is presumed that the applicant satisfies the requirement of subrule (2)(c)

of this rule.

(4) An applicant who is or has been licensed, registered, or certified in a health

profession or specialty by another state, the United States military, the federal

government, or another country shall disclose that fact on the application form. The

applicant shall satisfy the requirements of section 16174(2) of the code, MCL 333.16174,

including verification from the issuing entity showing that disciplinary proceedings are

not pending against the applicant and sanctions are not in force at the time of application.

If registration is granted and it is determined that sanctions have been imposed, the

department may impose appropriate sanctions under section 16174(5) of the code, MCL

333.16174.

History: 2020 AACS; 2023 AACS; 2025 MR 18, Eff. Sept. 19, 2025.

R 338.3931 Registration renewal; requirements.

Rule 31. An applicant for renewal shall satisfy the requirements of the code and the

rules promulgated under the code, and provide the required fee and a completed

application on a form provided by the department.

History: 2020 AACS; 2023 AACS; 2025 MR 18, Eff. Sept. 19, 2025.

Page 7

Courtesy of Michigan Administrative Rules