Local Public Health

A license is required for Health Officers or Registered Environmental Health Specialists employed by local health departments.  The Licensure of Persons for Public Health Positions  sets forth the license standards.

New Jersey Department of Health (NJDOH) licenses candidates who meet requirements for education, training and experience.  The examination is administered two times per year, June and December.

All applications must be accompanied by an application fee of $50 via check or money order made out to "Treasurer, State of New Jersey" and sent to:

Licensing and Compliance Unit | Office of Local Public Health
New Jersey Department of Health
55 North Willow Street, 5th Floor
P.O. Box 360
Trenton, NJ 08608

Only applications which are complete and have been received prior to the published examination closing date will be reviewed.

A Health Officer is the public health chief executive officer of a municipal, regional, county or contractual health agency.  This individual is responsible for evaluating health problems, planning appropriate activities to address these health problems, developing necessary budget procedures to finance these activities, and directing staff to carry out these activities efficiently and economically. 

A Registered Environmental Health Specialist is employed by a local health agency, e.g., an individual municipal local health agency, a regional health commission, or a county health department.  Alternatively, some individuals are employed by the Food and Drug Administration, the US Department of Agriculture, private consulting companies, or private food concerns.