Applying for the Certified Industrial Hygienist (CIH) Credential

The Certified Industrial Hygienist (CIH) credential is the global standard for certification in protecting the health and safety of workers and the public by anticipating, recognizing, evaluating, and controlling chemical, physical, ergonomic, or biological hazards, including COVID-19.

The Certified Industrial Hygienist (CIH) certification program enables you to establish your professional-level knowledge and skills in Occupational Health and Safety/Industrial Hygiene. The CIH credential is a globally respected standard that is only granted to those who meet our education and experience requirements along with successfully completing an examination. CIH professionals also agree to abide by BGC’s Code of Ethics.

A Certified Industrial Hygienist (CIH) is an individual who has met the minimum requirements for education and experience and, through examination, has demonstrated a minimum level of knowledge and skills in the following subject areas (rubrics):

• Air Sampling & Instrumentation
• Analytical Chemistry
• Basic Science
• Biohazards
• Biostatistics & Epidemiology
• Community Exposure
• Engineering Controls/Ventilation
• Ergonomics
• Health Risk Analysis & Hazard Communication
• IH Program Management
• Noise
• Non-Engineering Controls
• Radiation – Ionizing and Non-ionizing
• Thermal Stressors
• Toxicology
• Work Environments & Industrial Processes

The CIH Examination Blueprint may be viewed here.

As the industrial hygiene profession itself continued to evolve, it was believed that more people were doing industrial hygiene-like work but would otherwise be unable to qualify for the CIH due to some aspect of their education or experiences. These individuals were still making valuable contributions to the prevention of occupational and non-occupational illnesses. It was felt that professional certification would improve recognition of their contributions by management, employees, and the public.

Once the CIH credential is obtained, Diplomates can apply their knowledge in many different situations, some broad scope and comprehensive, some narrow scope as the person specializes. The domains of practice often differ and change many times during the course of a career. Thus, BGC places no restrictions or qualifications on the career paths of a CIH as long as the person meets the ongoing requirements in the certification maintenance program and adheres to the professional, enforceable BGC Code of Ethics.

Obligations of Credential Holders

After you pass the exam and are issued your credential, you are required to meet several obligations, not limited to:

• paying your fees on or before the due date
• continually updating your knowledge and skills
• documenting knowledge and skills through the Certification Maintenance Process
• upholding the BGC Code of Ethics

Please be aware that if the requirements for certification and recertification change, you will be required to meet them in order to hold your certification.