CIH Candidate Handbook V1 2020-08-27B WEB

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CIH Candidate Handbook

Your guide to qualifying for the Certified Industrial Hygienist® (CIH®) Exam
August 28, 2020
August 28, 2020

Copyright © August 2020, American Board of Industrial Hygiene® of the Board for Global EHS Credentialing®
(BGC®). All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or
transmitted, in any form or by any means, without the prior written consent of the copyright holder. Published in the
United States of America. For more information on this document, please contact BGC staff:

Board for Global EHS Credentialing


6005 W. St. Joe Hwy, Suite 300
Lansing, MI 48917

Phone: (517) 321-2638


Fax: (517) 321-4624

Email: [email protected]
URL: www.EHSCredentialing.org
:HOFRPH«
The Chairs and Directors of the Board for Global EHS
Credentialing (BGC) would like to thank you for your interest in
obtaining a BGC credential and wish you success.

The Certified Industrial Hygienist® (CIH®) certification program


provides a method for you to demonstrate your professional-
level knowledge and skills in Occupational Health and
Safety/Industrial Hygiene by meeting our requirements for
education, experience, and an examination. After you
successfully complete all elements of the process, you are
allowed to use the CIH designation, as long as you continue to
maintain your credential through the certification maintenance
process and uphold the BGC Code of Ethics.

Our staff is here to help you as you go along your journey to


becoming a BGC-credentialed practitioner. We are committed
to continually improving our work to provide better customer
service combined with consistency, efficiency, and
effectiveness. Your feedback is always welcome and valued.

Cynthia Hanko, CIH


BGC Chair (2020)
Contents 2020 Application Requirements .................................................................... 1
Qualifications and Evaluation
Academic Requirements
Industrial Hygiene Coursework
Experience Requirements
2
2
4
5
Professional References 6
Test Accommodations 7
Reapplicants 7
Application/Reapplication Deadlines 8
Fees 8

Examination Information ...................................................................... 9


Examination Purpose and Format 10
Examination Procedures 10
Examination Day 11
Canceling, Rescheduling, and Missed Exams 12
Problems with Prometric Scheduling and Testing 12
Scoring Your Examination 12
Notifying You of Your Examination Results 13
Obligations of Credential Holders 13

Examination Preparation .................................................................... 14


Sample Questions 15
Publications and References 17

CIH® Exam Blueprint ............................................................................ 18


Domain I: Exposure Assessment Principles and Practice 19
Domain II: Control Selection, Implementation, and Validation 22
Domain III: Risk Management 24
Rubric Definitions 25

Equation Sheets .................................................................................... 27

Other Information ................................................................................. 35


CIH Eligibility Checklist 36
Important Dates 37
%*&·V'HFLVLRQ-Making Body and Committees 38
BGC Staff, Services and Information 39
Application
Requirements

CIH Candidate Handbook -1- Board for Global EHS Credentialing (BGC)
Qualifications and Evaluation
To qualify for admission to the BGC examinations as an applicant, you must comply with all Board requisites.
x Submit only one application per person
x Meet academic requirements/IH coursework
x Meet the professional industrial hygiene experience requirement documented by references
x Be in the current practice of industrial hygiene
x Agree to adhere to the BGC Code of Ethics and to be governed by the BGC Ethics Case Procedures
x Pay your application fee and examination fee.
Your application packet is active for 4 consecutive exam windows, which is equal to two years. You are required to
submit an updated supervisory reference and pay a reapplication fee every two years to keep your application active.
Deadline
Your application materials, including transcripts, references, and educational coursework (including
ethics and supplemental Information) must be postmarked no later than February 1 for the Spring
examination, or August 1 for the Fall examination. Your application packet will be valid for four test
windows which is equal to two years,
Evaluation
BGC will evaluate all applicants using the criteria established for CIH eligibility and will not
discriminate on the basis of race, creed, national origin, religion, age, disability, political affiliation,
sex, sexual orientation, or marital, parental, military, or any other legally protected status.
We may ask you for additional documentation when initial review of your application (or
reapplication) indicates that pertinent information is missing or unclear. In that case, review of your
application or reapplication will not proceed until we receive the requested information.
Submitting your application well in advance of deadlines may give you sufficient time to provide additional
information without delaying your approval to sit for the exam.

Confidentiality
Original applications and supporting documentation are treated by the BGC Board of Directors and
staff as confidential information. As noted in the BGC Privacy Policy, all reasonable precautions are
taken to prevent unauthorized access to individual information. BGC does not disclose personal
information obtained from you or any other applicant to third parties, except when authorized in
writing by you, or if necessary to complete the process ² for example, arranging for you to sit for the
exam.
Record Retention
In accordance with the BGC record-retention policy, paper files and electronic documents provided by
applicants that have been inactive for three years will be destroyed. Prior to destroying a file, the
staff will attempt to notify you using your last known address.

BGC Director Assessment of Your Eligibility


A Director of the Board is not authorized to give you a determination on your eligibility, either before or after
your application is filed.

Academic Requirements
You must have a EDFKHORU·V degree in biology, chemistry, physics, or engineering from a regionally accredited college
or university or from another college that is acceptable to the Board (see details below). An ABET-accredited program
in industrial hygiene or safety also is accepted.
The Board will consider, and may accept, any other bachelor·s degree from an acceptable college or university,
provided that the degree is based upon appropriate coursework and represents at least 60 semester hours of
creditable subjects, with at least 15 of those hours at the upper level (beyond intermediate, such as U.S. 3rd-year

CIH Candidate Handbook -2- Board for Global EHS Credentialing (BGC)
(Junior), 4th-year (Senior), or Graduate level). Creditable subjects are undergraduate or graduate-level courses in
science, mathematics, engineering and science-based technology.
Unacceptable Academic Degrees or Credit
Remedies. If you have an unacceptable EDFKHORU·V degree you may remedy the situation with
additional academic science coursework from an acceptable college or university, or by completion
of an acceptable cognate graduate degree.
Nonrelevant Courses. Academic credit granted by a college or university that is unrelated to
appropriate coursework will not be accepted by BGC. Examples are the completion of:
x the Graduate Record Examination (GRE),
x College Level Examination Program (CLEP) examinations,
x DANTES Subject Standardized Tests (DSSTs),
x and similar equivalency credits granted by an institution for work/life experience.
These are not considered educational courses that satisfy %*&·V academic certification eligibility
requirements.
The social sciences are not considered to be qualifying sciences. Evaluation of the science content of
your EDFKHORU·V degree will be made from the official transcripts. When evaluators need more
information about the content of your degree, such as course descriptions or content, we will ask you
to provide the information. Review of your degree will not proceed until the information is received.
Submitting your application well in advance of deadlines may give you sufficient time to provide additional
information without delaying your approval to sit for the exam.

U.S. and Canadian Degrees


Official transcripts must be submitted for each degree. An ´RIILFLDOµ transcript is one sent directly to
BGC by your college or university through mail or as secure e-transcripts. Alternatively, you may
submit official transcripts if they are in a sealed envelope with the UHJLVWUDU·V stamp across the seal.
When a degree includes credits that were transferred from another college or university, official
transcripts for those course credits must be sent upon request.
The Board will consider a U.S. college or university to be acceptable when it holds institutional
accreditation from one of the six U.S. Regional Accrediting Bodies or the Distance Education
Accrediting Commission (DEAC), which are recognized by the Council for Higher Education
Accreditation (CHEA) and the U.S. Department of Education. Your degree must be awarded during
the time that the institutional accreditation is in effect. A Canadian college or university will be
considered acceptable if it is recognized under applicable provincial standards, depending on where
the school is located. Or it may hold specialized program accreditation as noted by membership in
the Association of Universities and Colleges of Canada (AUCC).
If you have an international degree(s) along with one from the United States or Canada, a transcript
evaluation may not be required if the US or Canadian degree(s) meets the STEM (Science, Science-
based Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) coursework requirement. In some cases, a report
may also be required for a Canadian degree. Please contact the office
([email protected]) for advice.
International Degrees
A degree from a college or university that is located outside the United States or Canada will be
considered for acceptability based on the LQVWLWXWLRQ·V accreditation status in the education system
that has jurisdiction. Applicants with international degrees will be required to submit their
transcript(s) for a credential evaluation, unless the academic program is authorized by BGC or
through a BGC-recognized accreditation agency to issue BGC verification statements1.
A member of the National Association of Credential Evaluation Services, Inc.
(http://www.naces.org/members.htm) or a member of the Association of International Credential
Evaluators (http://www.aice-eval.org) must be used to prepare a credential evaluation report. You
must request that the report be forwarded to BGC.

1 BGC verification statements streamline and shorten the review for applicants. Please contact your program director
to find out if verification statements are available for you.
CIH Candidate Handbook -3- Board for Global EHS Credentialing (BGC)
If your degree is in biology, chemistry, engineering, or physics, a General/Document-by-Document
report must be provided. Any other degree requires a Comprehensive/Course-by-Course report. A
Divisional Analysis may be necessary to identify upper-level courses.

Industrial Hygiene Coursework


The Board requires you to document completion of 180 academic contact hours or 240 continuing education
contact hours of specific industrial hygiene courses.
At least half of the required coursework (90 academic or 120 continuing education contact hours) must cover
the broad subjects of industrial hygiene: toxicology, fundamentals of industrial hygiene, and measurements
and controls. Conference-related professional development courses can be counted, but attendance at a
conference cannot be counted as a training course.
x Acceptable toxicology courses will cover the essential aspects of toxicology (adverse effects of chemicals
on living systems), with an emphasis on humans. Topics covered are likely to include dose response
relationships; absorption, distribution, metabolism, and excretion of toxic substances in the body;
biotransformation; organ systems; and chemical carcinogenesis and mutagenesis.
x Fundamentals courses are likely to address the recognition of hazards/stressors found in the work
environment. Included are chemical, physical (noise, radiation, thermal), biological, and ergonomic
stressors.
x Measurement courses and control (engineering, substitution, administrative, PPE) courses will address
the same four broad stressor categories as fundamentals, above.
x The remaining coursework may be in industrial hygiene subjects that are narrower in scope (e.g.,
asbestos, lead, mold, and confined space entry). The same course or training, if taken multiple times,
will only be counted once toward eligibility. (This includes regulatory refresher courses such as
HAZWOPER, asbestos training, or even a repeat of the same academic course.)
Stand-alone, industrial hygiene-related specialty exams for other professional certifications as well
as many other non-certification exams used for licensing and registration can be used as narrow-
scope continuing education contact hours. Stand-alone exams are those offered independently from
any other educational activities such as classes or workshops.
x The exam must be at least 1 hour in duration and must align with one of the IH Rubrics or the IH Job
Analysis.
x One continuing education contact hour can be counted for each hour of IH content in the exam.
x The exam must be offered by the organization responsible for overseeing exam development and
administration.
x You must provide documentation of successfully passing the exam and of exam duration to claim the
equivalent continuing education contact hours.
x You must also provide the exam blueprint for the version of the exam taken.
You can satisfy the IH coursework requirement if your required contact hours were completed as part
of your academic degree..
If you took additional coursework to meet this requirement, you may submit academic courses,
continuing education courses, or a combination, as follows:
x One semester hour equals 15 academic contact hours or 20 continuing education contact hours.
x One quarter hour equals 10 academic contact hours or 13 continuing education contact hours.
x One CEU equals 10 continuing education contact hours.
For documentation of continuing education contact hours, you must upload copies of certificates to
CAPS with your application. If the number of contact hours or CEUs is not stated on the certificate,
you must include a course agenda or official supporting information that shows the time spent on IH
topics.
Ethics Requirement
Applicants must document that they have completed at least two contact hours of coursework in
ethics. Acceptable ethics courses include academic courses dealing with ethics, company training on
business conduct, or other ethics-related subjects, or continuing education courses that present
ethics topics. Please note that ethics contact hours do not count towards the 240 hours of IH
coursework.

CIH Candidate Handbook -4- Board for Global EHS Credentialing (BGC)
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Professional References
You must provide a minimum of two professional references for your application.
x Supervisor. A reference from an DSSOLFDQW·V current supervisor is required to document current industrial
hygiene practice. You must have a reference from your immediate supervisor(s) covering the entire
period which you are claiming as professional IH practice. If you are (or were) a principal in a business,
the we will accept references from major clients.
x Certified Industrial Hygienist. You must also have a reference from a CIH who is familiar with your
industrial hygiene work and can describe, from firsthand experience, the nature of your industrial hygiene
responsibilities. The CIH reference may also serve as a supervisory reference; however, you still must
have a minimum of two supervisory references.
Alternatives to a Reference from a CIH Who Is Familiar with Your IH Work
In the event that no CIH is available who is familiar with your industrial hygiene work, you have
two options:
(1) you may substitute a reference from an individual certified at the professional level by an
organization whose industrial/occupational hygiene certification scheme has been
recognized by the International Occupational Hygiene Association (IOHA).
The following list was current as of October 2019. Please refer to the following link for the
most up-to-date information: https://www.ioha.net/ioha-activities/national-accreditation-
recognition-nar/
x Australian Institute of Occupational Hygienists (AIOH)
x British Occupational Hygiene Society (BOHS)
x Canadian Registration Board of Occupational Hygienists (CRBOH)
x Dutch-Occupational-Hygiene-Society-NVVA
x French Occupational Hygienists Society (SOFHYT). Document in French and document in English
x German Society for Occupational Hygiene (DGAH)
x Hong Kong Institute of Occupational and Environmental Hygiene
x Institute of the Certification of the Figures of Prevention (Italy) (ICFP)
x Japan Association for Working Environment Measurement (JAWE)
x Malaysian Industrial Hygiene Association (MIHA)
x Norwegian Occupational Hygiene Association (NYF)
x Swedish Occupational and Environmental Certification Board (SOECB)
x Southern African Institute for Occupational Hygiene (SAIOH)
x Swiss Society of Occupational Hygiene (SSOH)
(2) If none of your references is a CIH or holds a credential from an IOHA-NAR recognized
organization, then your only remaining alternative is for you to provide three written work
samples.
x Work samples must demonstrate a range of broad-scope industrial hygiene activities (Safety or
environmental work samples cannot be accepted.)
x They must reflect anticipation, recognition, evaluation and control of at least 2 different stressor
categories.
x Work samples may include reports with analysis of results and recommendations; written
programs/procedures; or other documents that help to establish the scope, content and
professional level of the work. A work sample can also be supplemented with peripheral
documents such as internal memos dealing with your industrial hygiene activities.
x The samples must span the time period being claimed as professional level experience, include
the original creation date, and have been prepared by you as the sole author.
Documents are kept confidential; however, you are allowed to redact proprietary information;
provided that the redactions do not obscure information required for the evaluation. Documents
must be sent in electronic format through CAPS. Hardcopy work samples will not be accepted.
Submitting the References
A Professional Reference Questionnaire must comply with the requirements of this section. Each
Professional Reference Questionnaire will remain confidential between the author and BGC.
CIH Candidate Handbook -6- Board for Global EHS Credentialing (BGC)
x You must initiate communication with your references to request that they submit completed
Professional Reference Questionnaire (PRQ) forms. BGC does not initiate communication with
references for you.
x Each reference must be provided on the %RDUG·V Professional Reference Questionnaire (PRQ) form, have
a hand-written signature (not a typed or script font) or a digital signature, and be prepared only by the
person giving the reference.
x It is unacceptable for you to complete the form and then have it signed by your reference..
x Each PRQ must be emailed, faxed, or sent by certified or registered mail directly to BGC by the person
writing the reference.
It is your responsibility to communicate with your reference as frequently as needed to assure that
the PRQ is submitted in time to meet BGC application deadlines.
Unqualified and Suspicious References
PRQs that appear to have been prepared by any of the following individuals may result in your
application being rejected or delayed:
x Your spouse or other relative
x A person whom you supervise
x Yourself, preparing your own PRQ (even when LW·V for someone else to sign)

Avoid Investigations about the Validity of Your Reference


When references from different people have identical wording, they will be investigated to determine who
actually prepared the PRQs. This can cause delays that may cause you to be prevented from taking the exam
or being blocked permanently, if you are found to have prepared the content of the PRQ. Sometimes your
supervisors and CIH colleagues who are providing your references may need a memory jog about the work
that \RX·YH done for them, so provide it verbally, not in writing or from a written job description, so that they
are not tempted to cut and paste, and make sure that what you tell them is unique to the job that you did, to
avoid giving exactly the same information to other references.

Test Accommodations
In accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), as amended, and other applicable laws, BGC does not
discriminate against individuals with disabilities in providing access to its examination program.
If you have a documented disability which requires test accommodations, you must submit a Test Accommodation
Request Form, that can be found on the BGC website at http://www.abih.org/become-certified/test-
accommodations. The request form and supporting documentation must accompany your application form and be
received by the application deadline (February1/August 1).

Reapplicants
An application is considered to be active for four consecutive exam windows, which equals two years. You must
update the description of your current practice, provide an updated supervisory reference and pay a reapplication fee
to reactivate an expired application in order to sit for the exam. The application deadlines of February 1 or August 1
apply to all materials and fees that must be submitted by reapplicants. In order to re-apply, you must:
x Submit a Reapplication Form (Choose the Education Pathways for Reapplicants in CAPS, which says ´I have
already been approveGµ)
x Obtain a Professional Reference Questionnaire from a work supervisor that is no more than 12 months old
(see the References section above)
x Update your work experience information in CAPS to document your current practice
x Meet all current application requirements
x Pay the $150 reapplication fee

CIH Candidate Handbook -7- Board for Global EHS Credentialing (BGC)
'RQ·W lose your application!
If your application file is inactive for more than three years without being approved for the exam, it will be
automatically purged, and you will have to follow the procedure as a new applicant if you wish to apply again.
Please notify us in writing before three years of inactivity to keep your file open and contact information up to
date.

Application/Reapplication Deadlines
All documentation required for the review and approval of your application or reapplication must be postmarked,
faxed, or emailed by February 1 when applying for the Spring examination or by August 1 for the Fall examination.
Examinations are held each year at Prometric testing centers during two testing windows:
x Examinees approved for the Spring examination can make an appointment with Prometric for either April or
May.
x Examinees approved for the Fall examination can schedule for either October or November.
You are only allowed to schedule one examination in a test window.

Fees
The application, examination and credential maintenance processes require you to pay fees on or before the due
dates. The fees are listed in the table, below. Fees may be subject to change, so please check the BGC website to
obtain the most current fee schedule.

Fee Amount Description


Application/Reapplication Fee $150 The fee to have your documents reviewed and to maintain
your file.
Your application/reapplication fee is valid for 4 exam
windows, which is equivalent to two years. You must pay a
reapplication fee and submit updated documents every two
years to keep your file active, until you pass the exam.
Examination (Scheduling) Fee $350 The payment to schedule an exam and reserve a seat at
the testing center.
Annual (Maintenance) Fee $150 ($75) The yearly fee to maintain your credential after it is
awarded.

Normally your annual fee is paid by the beginning of each


year. If you pass the exam in the spring, your first annual
fee will be prorated to $75 for the remainder of the current
year.

Refund information!
Application or reapplication fees are not refundable or transferrable.
Your examination fee is not refundable, either, but if you cancel your examination with the testing center at
least 48 hours in advance of the exam time, the fee will be carried over to the next exam window. If your
cancellation is made less than 48 hours in advance, your fee is forfeited.

CIH Candidate Handbook -8- Board for Global EHS Credentialing (BGC)
Examination
Information

CIH Candidate Handbook -9- Board for Global EHS Credentialing (BGC)
Examination Purpose and Format
The examination is designed to test your knowledge across the broad general practice of industrial hygiene. You
should expect questions in all rubrics (subject areas).
The exam contains 180 (150 questions plus 30 pilot questions) multiple choice questions that are selected to match
the job analysis. The questions are not grouped by subject area in the examinations. The job analysis and rubric
definitions currently in use by the Board can be found under CIH Exam Blueprint in this document.
The examination is conducted in two sections. You may go back and review questions at any time during a section.
The test is 2.5 hours for the first section, with an optional thirty-minute break, and then 2.5 hours for the second
section. There is a short tutorial prior to the examination and a short survey following the exam. You are allowed to
submit comments about the content of specific exam questions during the exam by following the instructions on the
exam. BGC staff will review your comments; however, for exam security reasons, staff will not be able to discuss your
comments with you.
If you choose to take a thirty-minute break, you will have 30 minutes and no more. In other words, the second section
of the exam will begin after 30 minutes, regardless of when you return from your break.
Also see the section Scoring of Examinations, below.

Examination Procedures
Scheduling Your Appointment
Your examination fee must be paid before you will be allowed to schedule your examination. You will
not appear in 3URPHWULF·V computer file of approved examinees until you have paid your examination
fee. When your fee has been processed, you will receive an Authorization to Test (ATT) letter.
To ensure that you obtain your preferred location and date, you should call Prometric immediately or
go online to schedule an appointment. You must schedule your exam at least 9 calendar days prior
to the end of the testing window to be able to sit for the exam
You will need to provide the following information when scheduling your appointment:
x Your name
x Your identification number (listed in the Authorization to Test letter)
x A daytime telephone number
x The name of the examination sponsor (BGC) and the examination you are taking (CIH)
Scheduling Online
We recommend that you schedule your appointment online, because it is faster and more efficient.
Go to www.prometric.com/abih. You must have an email address to schedule online.
If you schedule online, you will receive email confirmation of your appointment.
Scheduling by Phone
If you are scheduling by phone in North America, call 3URPHWULF·V Customer Service Contact Center
(CSCC) at (800) 800-1123. Operators are available from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. (Eastern Time) Monday
through Friday. Please note that you will not receive written notification concerning your
appointment if you schedule via telephone. If you are an international examinee, please check the
Prometric website for the country specific telephone numbers:
Confirmation Number
When you schedule your appointment, either by telephone or online, you will receive a confirmation
number. Make sure you keep a record of your confirmation number and appointment information.
You will need your confirmation number if you want to confirm, reschedule, or cancel your
appointment. BGC will not have your confirmation number in our records.
Test Site Location
You may take your examination at Prometric Testing Centers (PTC) in the United States, Canada,
Puerto Rico, Guam, U.S. Samoa, the Virgin Islands, and internationally.
Determine the best PTC location for taking your examination by selecting Locate a Test Center on
3URPHWULF·V website, www.prometric.com/abih.

CIH Candidate Handbook - 10 - Board for Global EHS Credentialing (BGC)


x When scheduling your appointment, you should confirm the address of your test center and obtain
directions.
x You may obtain directions to the PTC at 3URPHWULF·V website or by calling 3URPHWULF·V Customer Service
Contact Center.
Examination Window
You must test during the window for which you were approved.
x The Spring testing window opens on April 1 and closes on May 31.
x The Fall testing window opens October 1 and closes November 30.
Confirming Your Appointment
It is your responsibility to verify that you have been scheduled for the date, time, and place you have
requested.
You may confirm your appointment in two ways.
x Call (800) 800-1123 or the applicable international number and select the option for confirming your
appointment.
x Confirm your appointment online at www.prometric.com/abih.
You can confirm your appointment on-line even if you scheduled your appointment by telephone.

Examination Day
Plan to arrive at the test center at least 30 minutes prior to your scheduled exam time.
What to Bring
The test center will provide materials for working out calculations. In addition, the BGC Equation
Sheets and plates from the ACGIH Ventilation Manual will be available on the computer on which you
are taking your exam by clicking the Reference button. You must bring these three items:
x Your Authorization to Test (ATT) letter from the Board.
x Your current, valid, government-issued photo identification document with a signature (e.g., GULYHU·V
license or passport). Security measures, including the capture of a digital fingerprint and information
from your identification (including an image of your photo), will be implemented.
x An approved calculator from the list below.

Approved Calculators for the Exam


Examinees may bring one or two nonprogrammable calculators selected from the
approved list below. Any calculator within the series listed in the information provided to
candidates is acceptable. Not all models within a series are listed because of the variety
and the model changes that take place. For example, the listing of a Texas Instruments
TI-30 as ´DSSURYHGµ means that such models as the TI-30X, TI-30Xa, TI-30XII, TI-30XII S
are all acceptable. The Prometric instructions to their staff indicate this, so the person
checking you in at the Prometric test center will be aware that these are acceptable
calculators.

Approved Calculator List


Casio ² Models FX-115, FX-250, FX-260, FX-300, FX-350 and FX-991.
Hewlett-Packard ² Models hp-9S, hp-10S, hp-30S, and hp-300S. Note: hp-9G is not
acceptable.
Texas Instruments ² Models TI-30, TI-34, TI-35, and TI-36.

CIH Candidate Handbook - 11 - Board for Global EHS Credentialing (BGC)


Avoid Identification Headaches
The name on your government-issued photo identification document must match the name that you used to
register for the exam. If you have a name change, such as by marriage, please email BGC at
[email protected] and notify Prometric (prometric.com/contact-us) immediately. If you do not
provide the required identification or fully participate in the identity validation process during check-in and
breaks, you will not be permitted to test, and you will forfeit your testing fees.

What Not to Bring


You are prohibited from bringing items into the examination room except for the three items
specified above. Banned items include, but are not limited to, the following:
x cellphones
x pagers
x watches
x books and manuals
x notes or reference materials
x PDAs or other electronic devices
x food or drinks

Canceling, Rescheduling, and Missed Exams


If you need to cancel, delay, or change your examination location, you must do so at least 48 hours in
advance of your scheduled exam. You may cancel or reschedule by calling (800) 800-1123 or the applicable
international number. You will need to provide your confirmation number.
If you miss your examination appointment, you will not be rescheduled and you will forfeit the testing fees.
If you are late for your examination appointment, you may not be admitted. Late admission is at the
discretion of the Prometric testing center.
If you decide to delay your examination to a future examination window, please consult your Authorization to
Test letter for reapplication details.

Problems with Prometric Scheduling and Testing


You should call the BGC office at (517) 853-5763 (between 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM, Monday through Friday, U.S.
Eastern Time) if you encounter either of the following problems:
x You cannot schedule an exam because the Prometric operator does not have a file with your name and
identification number.
x You arrive at your scheduled examination appointment, but are unable to test due to Prometric technical or
personnel difficulties.

Scoring Your Examination


Your passing score is based on the total number of questions that you answer correctly in entire examination. It will
be to your advantage to answer all questions.
x All questions have the same point value.
x There is no penalty for incorrect answers (such as ´QXPEHU correct minus a percentage of the number of
incorrect DQVZHUVµ 
x A ´SDVVLQJµ score is not required in each of the individual rubrics.
A criterion-referenced passing score has been established by a panel of Certified Industrial Hygienists, using
appropriate standard-setting procedures under the guidance of Scantron, formerly CASTLE Worldwide, Inc. The
passing score for each subsequent administration of the certification examination is based on a statistical equating
process, which adjusts for fluctuations in difficulty levels across different versions of the examination. Equating is

CIH Candidate Handbook - 12 - Board for Global EHS Credentialing (BGC)


performed to help ensure that candidates are evaluated according to the same competency standard from year to
year.
Examinees may request a review of their exam score by filling out the Review of the Exam Score Form (located on the
ABIH website) in the Document Library), which will be forwarded to our testing vendor, which will conduct a score
verification. The examinee should consider that given the quality control procedures that are in place, it is highly
unlikely that the score will change.

Notifying You of Your Examination Results


You will be informed of your preliminary pass/fail status immediately after completing the examination.
x We will verify your results and send your official results in writing approximately four weeks later.
x If you fail your examination, we will inform you of your overall score.
x All examinees will receive a performance report indicating their scores in the individual rubrics.
As noted in the BGC Privacy Policy, examination reports, scores, and failures are not released outside of BGC without
your authorization. The names of those who pass the examination will be listed on the BGC website and entered in
the web Rosters.

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 and your knowledge, and skills and documenting
them through the Certification Maintenance Process; and 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.

CIH Candidate Handbook - 13 - Board for Global EHS Credentialing (BGC)


Examination
Preparation
The BGC Board encourages you to consider your knowledge and experience in the light of the examination rubrics,
and to assess your recognized strengths and weaknesses.
Self-study, specific training, and group discussions are recognized methods of improving perceived weaknesses.
However, the Board does not endorse or support specific training courses, study guides, or other activities that are
intended or purported to be preparation for its examinations.

CIH Candidate Handbook - 14 - Board for Global EHS Credentialing (BGC)


Sample Questions
The following are provided to familiarize you with the nature and form of questions, that may be found in the %RDUG·V
examinations. Their subject matter and level of difficulty do not necessarily reflect the content of BGC examinations.

1. A mixture contains:
50 mL benzene (m.w.=78) v.p.= 75 mm, Hg; sp. gr.= 0.879.
25 mL carbon tetrachloride (m.w. = 154), v.p. = 91 mm, Hg; sp. gr. = 1.595
25 mL trichloroethylene (m.w. = 131.5), v.p. = 58 mm, Hg;
sp. gr. = 1.455.

2. Assuming 5DRXOW·V Law is obeyed, what will be the concentration of benzene in air at 760 mm Hg saturated with
vapor of the above mixture?
1. 3.5%
2. 4.5%
3. 5.1%
4. 9.9%

3. Which one of the following health effects may be manifested by chronic overexposure to benzene?
1. Abdominal colic
2. Bladder tumors
3. Cholinesterase depression
4. Leukemogenic cancer

4. What is the ACGIH Threshold Limit Value for hydrogen fluoride primarily intended to guard against?
1. delayed lung edema
2. mottling of tooth enamel
3. respiratory tract irritation
4. tubular kidney injury

5. Under usual operating conditions, what is the static pressure at the discharge side of a fan with 10' length of
discharge duct?
1. equal to the velocity pressure
2. less than the atmospheric pressure
3. equal to the total pressure
4. greater than the atmospheric pressure

6. 1,000 cfm is to be drawn into a round, freely suspended duct of 6" diameter. What is the expected centerline
velocity at 4" outside the duct opening?
1. 286 fpm
2. 534 fpm
3. 765 fpm
4. 915 fpm

CIH Candidate Handbook - 15 - Board for Global EHS Credentialing (BGC)


7. Two separate noise sources of 98 dBA and 96 dBA respectively are installed and operated together. What is the
combined noise level?
1. 99 dBA
2. 100 dBA
3. 101 dBA
4. 194 dBA

8 A maintenance worker must enter an empty reactor vessel for cleaning, inspection and lining repair. In the
absence of continuous ventilation and testing of the air in the vessel, what should an industrial hygienist
recommend?
1. an organic vapor respirator for the worker and a helper with a life line within earshot
2. performance of the work at night with prior notice to the FLW\·V Emergency Response Unit
3. flushing the tank with a suitable organic solvent before the worker enters
4. a SCBA and fixed life line for the worker and a helper directly outside the tank

9. Workers in a brass foundry complain of a fever and general malaise on Mondays following a weekend respite
from work. What should an industrial hygienist be equipped to obtain, upon arriving at the foundry?
1. blood samples to detect carbon monoxide exposures
2. air samples to measure exposures to zinc fume
3. potable water samples to detect PCB concentration
4. urine samples to measure exposures to lead

10. What do the radioisotopes 238U, 40 K, 226 Ra, and 235U have in common?
1. Each is an alpha emitter.
2. Each is a neutron emitter.
3. Each occurs in nature.
4. Each has an analogue normally found in the human body.

11. Why is stack sampling for particulate aerosols done in an isokinetic manner?
1. to avoid size discrimination of collected particles
2. to minimize particle deposition in the sampling tube
3. to collect the respirable size particles only
4. to collect samples suitable for direct analysis

12. Theoretically, what is the minimum number of sound pressure level measurements needed to determine the
sound power output from a non-directional noise source in a free field?
1. one
2. two
3. four
4. eight

13. What are too many levels of management, chronic and recurring internal problems, and numerous meetings
attended by many people typically symptoms of?
1. poor communications
2. lack of management training
3. poor employee morale
4. a flawed organizational structure

CIH Candidate Handbook - 16 - Board for Global EHS Credentialing (BGC)


Publications and References
BGC examination questions are supported by a variety of sources in the literature to reflect the underlying purposes
and principles of industrial hygiene as well as the current knowledge that is expected of the industrial hygienist.
The Board suggests that candidates refer to the publications areas of the websites of ACGIH (http://www.acgih.org),
AIHA (https://www.aiha.org), and NIOSH (http://cdc.gov/niosh/pubs.html). Candidates also may consult relevant
books by such publishers as CRC Press, Lewis Publishers, McGraw Hill, and John Wiley & Sons for lists of available
resources.

CIH Candidate Handbook - 17 - Board for Global EHS Credentialing (BGC)


CIH® Exam Blueprint
Based on the 2014 Job Analysis. Effective April 1, 2015)
The test specifications, below, identify three domains of performance and nine tasks. A domain is a major area of
responsibility that defines the role of a Certified Industrial Hygienist® (CIH®) practitioner. A task is an activity
performed within a performance domain. Knowledge and skills candidates should possess in order to perform the
tasks are also included.

CIH Candidate Handbook - 18 - Board for Global EHS Credentialing (BGC)


Domain I: Exposure Assessment Principles and Practice
This section comprises 50% of the exam.

Task 1. Anticipate and recognize potential health hazards by studying environments, tasks, and people to identify
risks associated with stressors, products, and processes.

Knowledge of:
1. Basic math and sciences
2. Biological/chemical/physical/ergonomic hazards
3. Industry, including raw materials, intermediates, final products, and waste streams
4. Process (unit operations) knowledge
5. Toxicology
6. Standards and guidelines
7. Epidemiology
8. Environmental sciences
9. Public health (community health)
10. New process/chemical evaluation (pre OEL)

Skill in:
1. Extracting critical information from literature, standards, guidelines and other resources
2. Prioritizing hazards for evaluation
3. Anticipating exposure scenarios
4. Recognizing known potential hazards
5. Inventorying hazards
6. Surveying tasks, operations, and sites
7. Communicating with affected parties
8. Exposure reconstruction & forensic investigation

Task 2. Assess the relationship between exposure and the potential adverse health effects to determine if further
action is warranted using recognized scientific principles, literature, and standards.

Knowledge of:
1. Basic math and sciences
2. Statistics
2. Biological/chemical/physical/ergonomic hazards
3. Industry/work environments
4. Process (unit operations) knowledge
5. Toxicology
6. Epidemiology
7. Environmental sciences
8. Public health (community health)
9. Risk assessment
10. New process/chemical evaluation (pre-OEL)

Skill in:
1. Applying principles and concepts of toxicology (dose response, acute/chronic, latency, routes of entry)
2. Applying principles and concepts of epidemiology (study design, measures of disease, and statistics)
3. Assessing information source credibility
4. Communicating with affected parties

CIH Candidate Handbook - 19 - Board for Global EHS Credentialing (BGC)


Task 3. Design and implement an exposure assessment strategy (qualitative and/or quantitative) to determine the
extent and magnitude of exposure using relevant principles to ensure scientific validity.

Knowledge of:
1. Basic math and sciences
2. Statistics
3. Biological/chemical/physical/ergonomic hazards
4. Industrial knowledge/work environments
5. Process (unit operations)
6. Sampling methods and instrumentation
7. Analytical chemistry
8. Study design
9. Standards/guidelines
10. Medical surveillance/monitoring technologies

Skill in:
1. Designing exposure assessment strategies
2. Applying statistical principles to study design
3. Identifying appropriate exposed population(s)
4. Selection and use of appropriate sampling methods (instrumentation, analysis, strengths and limitations)
5. Reviewing pertinent information (historical sampling data, existing controls, materials inventory, process review,
work practices)
6. Identifying routes of exposure
7. Implementing qualitative & quantitative exposure assessment strategies
8. Developing and managing projects
9. Conducting basic research
10. Operating instruments, including calibration
11. Keeping field records
12. Communicating with affected parties
13. Identifying appropriate analytical methods

Task 4. Formulate conclusions, prioritize risks, and communicate findings and recommendations based on analysis
and evaluation of data using standards, guidelines and ethical professional judgment.

Knowledge of:
1. Basic math and sciences
2. Biological/chemical/physical/ergonomic hazards
3. Industry/work environments
4. Process (unit operations)
5. Toxicology
6. Analytical chemistry
7. Standards and guidelines
8. Epidemiology
9. Risk communication
10. Statistics
11. Hierarchy of controls
12. Environmental sciences
13. Public health (community health)

CIH Candidate Handbook - 20 - Board for Global EHS Credentialing (BGC)


Skill in:
1. Analyzing sample data
2. Comparing sampling results to known standards/guidelines
3. Evaluating the quality of data (both new and old)
4. Evaluating potential risks of previously unrecognized hazards
5. Identifying potential risks of complex/complicated exposure scenarios
6. Developing & managing projects including risk management, evaluation of business impacts, sustainability and
product stewardship
7. Characterizing risk (affected parties)
8. Communicating risk (oral, written)

CIH Candidate Handbook - 21 - Board for Global EHS Credentialing (BGC)


Domain II: Control Selection, Implementation, and Validation
Task 1. Assess and select options to eliminate or mitigate exposure using the hierarchy of controls and recognized
scientific principles, literature, standards, and design and performance criteria.
This section comprises 35% of the exam.

Knowledge of:
1. Hierarchy of controls
2. Ventilation design (local exhaust, dilution and HVAC)
3. Basic math and sciences
4. Aerosol science
5. Industrial processes and unit operations
6. Controls of biological, chemical, physical and ergonomic hazards
7. Hazardous material and remediation response
8. Principles of radiation and other physical energy protection (time, distance, shielding)
9. Principles of noise and noise abatement
10. Principles of thermal stressor control
11. PPE (protection factors, protective clothing, permeability/degradation, NRR)
12. Toxicology and routes of entry
13. Physiology and anatomy
14. Physical properties and chemical incompatibility
15. Work routines/work environments
16. Education and training
17. Work practices
18. Community exposure
19. Business impacts, sustainability and product stewardship
20. Exposure guidelines
21. Impact of the environment and people on the controls selected

Skill in:
1. Designing hazard controls (ventilation, noise abatement, radiation/physical energy, systems, PPE)
2. Measuring air flow parameters
3. Applying hierarchy of controls
4. Defining the relevant physical properties of chemical and biological materials
5. Selecting proper PPE based on strengths and limitations
6. Evaluating the environment in which the control is to be used
7. Developing and managing projects including risk management, evaluation of business impacts, sustainability
and product stewardship
8. Determining frequency, probability and severity of exposure
9. Considering individual differences in workers
10. Interpreting building specifications

Task 2. Develop and implement appropriate control programs and techniques designed to eliminate or mitigate
exposure, using standards, guidelines, literature and ethical professional practice.

Knowledge of:
1. Design of hazard controls (ventilation, noise abatement, radiation/physical energy, systems, PPE)
2. Requirements for writing performance specifications
3. Coordinating financial and staff resources
4. Procedures for training personnel in the use and application of control method
5. Industrial processes and unit operations (routine and emergency)
6. Hierarchy of controls
CIH Candidate Handbook - 22 - Board for Global EHS Credentialing (BGC)
7. Communication strategies and tools
8. PPE selection and limitations
9. Reporting structures, roles and responsibilities
10. Emergency response programs and principles

Skill in:
1. Designing control systems
2. Project management
3. Training strategies and tools
4. Applying exposure abatement technologies
5. Remediating biological, chemical, physical and ergonomic hazards
6. Responding to chemical hazard emergencies
7. Applying ergonomic interventions
8. Interpreting engineering instructions and specifications
9. Policy development

Task 3. Validate the effectiveness of controls to eliminate or mitigate exposure using recognized scientific principles,
literature, standards, and design and performance criteria.

Knowledge of:
1. Basic math and sciences
2. Aerosol science
3. Statistics
4. Principles of radiation and other physical energy protection (time, distance, shielding)
5. Principles of noise and noise abatement
6. Principles of thermal stressor control
7. Air sampling (chemical and biological agents)
8. Measurement techniques (ventilation, radiation, noise, thermal stress, vibration)
9. Microbiology
10. Ergonomic risk factors
11. Industrial process and unit operations (routine and emergency)
12. Application of exposure guidelines
13. Application of acceptable ventilation criteria
14. Hierarchy of controls
15. Control specifications
16. Equipment/technology used to validate control effectiveness
17. Auditing and quality assurance procedures
18. Basic research techniques

Skill in:
1. Selection and use of appropriate sampling methods (instrumentation, analysis, strengths and limitations)
2. Ventilation measurements
3. Noise and vibration measurements
4. Radiation measurements
5. Thermal stress measurements
6. Comparing air sampling and measurement data to recognized criteria
7. Troubleshooting control technology
8. Reading and interpreting design drawings and specifications
9. Developing & managing projects including risk management, evaluation of business impacts, sustainability and
product stewardship
10. Program auditing

CIH Candidate Handbook - 23 - Board for Global EHS Credentialing (BGC)


Domain III: Risk Management
Task 1. Develop and implement programs/systems that address health risks using recognized risk-based methods
and scientific principles, literature, standards and effective communication strategies.
This section comprises 15% of the exam.

Knowledge of:
1. Industrial hygiene program management principles and best practices
2. Risk assessment principles
3. Standards and guidelines
4. Audit and quality assurance procedures
5. Communication strategies and tools
6. Emergency response programs and principles
7. Procedures for training personnel

Skill in:
1. Communicating and interpreting regulatory requirements and communicating with regulatory agencies
2. Communicating industrial hygiene program components, including report writing and presentation
3. Managing program resources
4. Integrating industrial hygiene program needs into business plans
5. Prioritizing program needs
6. Identifying appropriate target audiences
7. Identifying appropriate program performance measurements
8. Communicating risk to affected parties
9. Program auditing
10. Understanding rationale for and application of occupational and environmental exposure limits (BEIs, TLVs)
11. Training strategies and tools

Task 2. Evaluate and maintain the effectiveness of programs/systems designed to eliminate or mitigate exposure
using regulations, standards, guidelines, and ethical professional practice.

Knowledge of:
1. Industrial hygiene program management principles and best practices
2. Risk assessment principles
3. Standards and guidelines
4. Communication strategies and tools
5. Procedures for training personnel
6. Audit techniques and quality assurance procedures
7. Data management systems and record keeping requirements
8. Program performance measurements and metrics

Skill in:
1. Communicating industrial hygiene program components, including report writing and giving presentations
2. Communicating standards and guidelines
3. Managing program resources
4. Prioritizing program needs
5. Training strategies and tools
6. Program auditing
7. Collecting and analyzing performance data
8. Performing program management analysis

CIH Candidate Handbook - 24 - Board for Global EHS Credentialing (BGC)


Rubric Definitions
Examination questions are categorized in the following rubrics (subject areas):

Air Sampling and Instrumentation


Selection, use and limitations of field air-sampling instruments, full-shift and grab samples, including direct-reading
instruments. Also included are the set-up, calibration and use (including quality assurance practices) of air-sampling
apparatus and direct-reading instruments, sampling strategy considerations and calculations related to sampling and
calibration. Measurement of exposures to noise, ionizing radiation, nonionizing radiation, and thermal stressors are
included in the rubrics dealing with those specific subject areas.

Analytical Chemistry
Laboratory analytical procedures for workplace environmental samples and related calculations. Included are gas
chromatography, infrared, visible and ultraviolet spectrophotometry, high performance liquid chromatography, mass
spectroscopy, atomic absorption spectrophotometry, wet chemical methods, and microscopy and laboratory quality
assurance and chain of custody.

Basic Science
General scientific concepts, chemistry, biochemistry, biology, anatomy and physiology, general physics and
mathematics. Properties of flammable, combustible and reactive materials (compatibility) are included as are
calculations such as those relative to gas laws, airborne concentrations, and unit-of-measure conversions and
conditions of non-standard pressure.

Biohazards
Principles of sanitation, personal hygiene, the recognition, evaluation and control of biological agents or materials
having the capacity to produce deleterious effects upon other biological organisms, particularly humans (virus,
bacteria, fungi, molds, allergens, toxins, recombinant products, bloodborne pathogens, etc.) and infectious diseases
that appear in workplaces including industry, agriculture, homes, offices and health care facilities.

Biostatistics & Epidemiology


Principles of epidemiology, techniques used to study the distribution of occupationally induced diseases and
physiological conditions in workplaces and factors that influence their frequency. It includes concepts of prospective
and retrospective studies, morbidity and mortality and animal experimental studies, data and distribution of data as
well as
basic biostatistics and statistical and non-statistical interpretation of data in the evaluation of hazards.

Community Exposure
Air pollution, air cleaning technology, ambient air quality considerations, emission source sampling, atmospheric
dispersion of pollutants, ambient air monitoring, health and environmental effects of air pollutants and related
calculations. Also included are other IH-related environmental subjects such as emergency planning and response,
water pollution, hazardous waste, and environmental fate and transport.

Engineering Controls/Ventilation
Control of chemical and physical exposures through engineering measures such as local exhaust ventilation, dilution
ventilation, isolation, containment and process change. Also included are mechanics of airflow, ventilation
measurements, design principles and related calculations as well as in-plant recirculation air-cleaning technology.

Engineering control of ionizing and nonionizing radiation, thermal stressors, and noise and vibration sources including
principles of isolation, enclosure, absorption and damping are included in the rubrics dealing with those specific
subject areas.

Ergonomics
Application of principles from anthropometry, human factors engineering, biomechanics, work physiology, human
anatomy, occupational medicine and facilities engineering to the design and organization of the workplace for the
purpose of preventing injuries and illnesses.

Health Risk Analysis and Hazard Communication


Understanding of principles and requirements for the interpretation and use of guidelines for the assessment of
health hazards, including American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists (ACGIH) Threshold Limit Values
(TLVs), Biological Exposure Indices (BEIs) and industrial ventilation guidelines, American National Standards Institute
(ANSI) standards, American Society for Heating, Refrigeration, and Air Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE) guidelines,
CIH Candidate Handbook - 25 - Board for Global EHS Credentialing (BGC)
American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) standards, and National Institute for Occupational Safety and
Health (NIOSH) Criteria Documents and recommendations. Understanding of the risk reduction process including the
hierarchy of controls, control banding and hazard communication and training of employees are included.
Communication of recommendations by appropriate techniques to implement control actions is also included.

IH Program Management
Acquisition, allocation and control of resources to accomplish industrial hygiene anticipation, recognition, evaluation
and control objectives in an effective and timely manner. Included are such topics as auditing, investigation methods,
data management and integration, establishment of policy, planning, delegation of authority, accountability, risk
communication, organizational structure, decision making and the BGC Code of Ethics.

Noise
Health effects resulting from exposure to noise and vibration. Computations related to combining noise sources and
octave band measurements are included as are audiometric testing programs. Includes exposure measurement,
evaluation, and control.

Non-Engineering Controls
Personal protective equipment, including the principles governing selection, use and limitations of respirators and
protective clothing. Included are respirator fit testing, breathing air specifications, glove permeability, eye protection
and the use of administrative controls.

Radiation/Ionizing
Physical characteristics and health and biological effects associated with alpha, beta, gamma, neutron and
x-radiation, including source characteristics. Includes exposure measurement, evaluation, and control.

Radiation/Nonionizing
Physical characteristics and health effects associated with electromagnetic fields, static electric and magnetic fields,
lasers, radio frequency, microwaves, ultraviolet, visible, infrared radiation and illumination. Includes exposure
measurement, evaluation, and control.

Thermal Stressors
Adverse health effects associated with heat and cold, symptoms of temperature-related health effects, exposure
control techniques, and first-aid/medical response.

Toxicology
Health effects resulting from exposure to chemical substances including single agents and mixtures, and natural and
synthetic agents. Included are symptomatology, pharmacokinetics, mode of action, additive, synergistic and
antagonistic effects, routes of entry, absorption, metabolism, excretion, target organs, toxicity testing protocols and
aerosol deposition and clearance in the respiratory tract. Also included are carcinogenic, mutagenic, teratogenic and
reproductive hazards.

Work Environments and Industrial Processes


Included are the hazards associated with specific industrial or manufacturing processes. Topics include, but are not
limited to confined space entry, spray-painting, welding, abrasive-blasting, vapor-degreasing, foundry operations, and
hazardous waste site remediation, as well as general indoor environmental issues.

CIH Candidate Handbook - 26 - Board for Global EHS Credentialing (BGC)


Equation Sheets
The following pages of equations and conversions will be available on the computer on which the exams are given for
use during the examinations. The following plates from the 29th Edition of the ACGIH® ´9HQWLODWLRQ 0DQXDOµ will also
be available on the computer for use during the examinations: Figures 9-a, 9-e, 9-f, and Table 6-3.

CIH Candidate Handbook - 27 - Board for Global EHS Credentialing (BGC)


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CIH Candidate Handbook - 31 - Board for Global EHS Credentialing (BGC)
CIH Candidate Handbook - 32 - Board for Global EHS Credentialing (BGC)
CIH Candidate Handbook - 33 - Board for Global EHS Credentialing (BGC)
CIH Candidate Handbook - 34 - Board for Global EHS Credentialing (BGC)
Other Information

CIH Candidate Handbook - 35 - Board for Global EHS Credentialing (BGC)


CIH Eligibility Checklist
This is a simple checklist of eligibility requirements for people interested in pursuing the CIH® credential. Please
complete this form before contacting BGCTM, so that we can better assist you. If you are unable to check all of the
boxes below, it may mean that you have an eligibility gap that must be closed.

Academic Degree
A. I have at leasWD86%DFKHORU·VGHJUHHRUHTXLYDOHQWIURPDFROOHJHXQLYHUVLW\WKDWLVDFFUHGLWHGE\DQ
organization recognized by the U.S. Department of Education (USDE), Association of Universities and Colleges
of Canada (AUCC), or a nationally- or regionally-authorized agency. (Non-US/Canadian graduates may require
evaluation reports from a NACES or AICE member organization.)

B. I had at least 60 U.S. academic semester credits/900 contact hours 2 of college or university coursework in
science, science-based technology, engineering or math (STEM).

C. At least 25% of my STEM coursework hours above (15 U.S. academic semester credits/225 contact hours)
are at the upper level (beyond intermediate: 3rd-year (Junior), 4th-year (Senior), or Graduate level.)

IH Specific Coursework (Academic or Continuing-Education)


D. I had at least 12 U.S. academic semester credits/180 contact hours of Industrial Hygiene (IH) coursework
from a college or university, or 240 contact hours from a continuing-education provider.

E. At least 50% of my IH coursework hours (6 U.S. academic semester credits/90 contact hours from a college
or university, or 120 contact hours from a continuing-education provider) are in Fundamentals of IH,
Toxicology, Measurements and Controls.

F. I had at least 2 contact hours of ethics training from a college, university or a continuing-education provider.

Professional Practice Experience


G. I have at least 4 years of professional-level, comprehensive industrial hygiene practice.
x Bachelors graduates from an ABET-accredited IH program may receive 6 months of experience credit.
x Masters graduates from an ABET-accredited IH program or Doctoral graduates from an IH program may
receive 1 year of experience credit.

H. I have broad-scope, professional-level IH experience in at least two of the following occupational health
stressor categories: Chemical, Physical, Biological or Ergonomic.

I. I am currently practicing industrial hygiene at the professional level.

Professional References for Your Application


J. At least two supervisors will provide references for the duration of my professional practice experience.

K. I will take one of the following actions to document my professional-level IH/OH work.
x Request a reference from a CIH
x Request a reference from someone certified at the professional level by an organization whose IH/OH
certification scheme is recognized by the International Occupational Hygiene Association (IOHA).
x Provide three work samples demonstrating a range of broad-scope industrial hygiene activities covering
the duration of my professional practice experience being claimed.

2
1 U.S. academic semester credit = 15 contact hours from a U.S. college or university

CIH Candidate Handbook - 36 - Board for Global EHS Credentialing (BGC)


Important Dates
The table, below, shows the dates for the Spring and Fall Examination Windows.

CIH Test Window Application Deadline Examination Dates

Spring February 1 April 1 ² May 31

Fall August 1 October 1 ² November 30

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BGC·V Decision-Making Body and Committees
BGC is governed by a board of 13 voting members. New board members are elected by the current board. The BGC
chair appoints members of the BGC board to the following standing committees: Nominations, Quality Improvement,
Financial Oversight/Audit, Bylaws/Policies (ANSI), and Awards.
Members of BGC Board of Directors (2020)

Chair Directors
Cynthia Hanko, CIH Kari Brisolara, ScD, MSPH, QEP
BGC Director 2016-2021 BGC Director 2019-2022
Honeywell International LSU Health Sciences Center, School of Public Health
Vice Chair Subena Colligan, M.S., CIH, CSP
BGC Director 2020-2023
Alan Leibowitz, CIH, CSP, FAIHA
Gulfstream Aerospace
BGC Director 2017-2021
EHS Systems Solutions, LLC Robert DeHart II, PE, CSP, CIH, CHMM, BCEE
BGC Director 2016-2020
Past Chair
Robert E. DeHart II, PLLC, HSE&S Consultant
Dirk Yamamoto, PhD, CIH, CSP, PE
Donna Doganiero, CIH, FAIHA
BGC Director 2015-2020
BGC Director 2017-2021
United States Air Force
Department of the Army
Surgeon *HQHUDO·V Public Health Service Line Office
Libby Ford, QEP, CHMM, CEP
BGC Director 2017-2021
Nixon Peabody, LLP
Allan Griggs, PE, QEP, CPEA
BGC Director 2020-2021
AAGriggs Consulting
Tom Grumbles, CIH, FAIHA
BGC Director 2019-2022
Retired
Mary Ann Latko, CIH, CSP, QEP, FAIHA
BGC Director 2016-2020
Connected Strategies, LLC
Cheri Marcham, CSP, CIH, CHMM, FAIHA
BGC Director 2019-2022
Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University
Public Member
(LOHHQ-2·1HLOO3K'%&(6, Public Member
BGC Director 2020-2021
Retired

Volunteer Opportunities
If you are interested in serving on a BGC committee or the BGC Board of Directors, please contact us at
[email protected].

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BGC Staff, Services and Information
Staff members of the Board for Global EHS Credentialing are available to provide consultation, guidance and
support for you to achieve eligibility to sit for BGC credentialing examinations and maintain your credential.
Please email [email protected] or call (517) 3121-2638. Normal business hours are 8:00 AM
to 5:00 PM Eastern Time, Monday through Friday.

Ulric K. Chung, MCS, PhD


BGC Chief Executive Officer

Ronald Drafta, CIH, CSP, SPHR


Examinations
Jody DuBeau
Credentialing Assistant
Gary Leisenring
Accounting
Paul Rathe
Executive Assistant to the CEO
Office Administration
Elizabeth Root
Credentialing Assistant
Yvette-M. Smith, PhD
Applications & Reapplications
Pamela J. Trim
Certification Maintenance

More Information
For more information or access to documents and forms for obtaining and maintaining your BGC certifications,
please visit our website: http://www.EHSCredentialing.org

(Updated January 2020)

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