Hazardous Waste Management Specialists

Certification or Licensing

Certification available to specialists is not universally recognized, and requirements for certification vary not only from state to state, but region to region, and year to year. Hazardous waste management professionals can earn the registered environmental health specialist/registered sanitarian certification from the National Environmental Health Association (NEHA). Additionally, some employers pay for workshops run in-house by the NEHA, other associations, or government agencies (such as the Occupational Safety and Health Administration), to update their employees on such topics as emergency response, Superfund regulations, and emerging technologies.

The certified hazardous materials manager designation is also available from the Institute of Hazardous Materials Management (IHMM). Applicants must satisfy educational requirements and pass a multiple choice examination. Certification must be renewed every five years. The IHMM also offers the certified hazardous materials practitioner, certified dangerous goods professional, the student certified hazardous materials manager, and other credentials. The International Association of Certified Indoor Air Consultants provides several certification credentials that focus on the measurement and mitigation of radon. Although certification is not required, it lends weight to recommendations made by government-employed specialists and generally enhances a specialist's credibility.