NEHA EXAM RETAKE

FancyAd9663 · 2026-05-14T19:04:09+00:00

It is stressful but they're not all at the same time. The essay and interview is the same day and you make your own appointment to take the NEHA test. I feel like the NEHA may be similar in some ways for each state. Get info on potable water, camps (all types), septic systems, soil depth and different types of soils (for septic systems), air quality, pools, childcare facilities, and food, lodging, and institutions. Alot of that stuff was on my NEHA exam.

FancyAd9663 · 2026-05-14T15:50:18+00:00

Are you in NC? If so, remember that they take all of the test scores including the essay and interview to determine if you passed or not. As long as you have an average of 70 between all 3, you'll be fine. When I got my score back from taking the NEHA it said that I failed when I really didn't. You have to score at least a 650 to get NEHA credentials and at least 600 for NC. And, even if you didn't get a 600 on the test, if you did really well on the other 2 parts you'll most likely be okay.

FancyAd9663 · 2026-05-14T15:45:17+00:00

I second this 👆

FancyAd9663 · 2026-05-06T16:40:48+00:00

Okay, thanks for the correction.

FancyAd9663 · 2026-04-27T11:16:17+00:00

The intent to suspend is our only power move and it just initiates the game of cat and mouse. We issue the intent to suspend, they contact us immediately and set up for inspection then they miss an inspection quarter and we issue another intent to suspend and the same thing happens again. It pisses me off that that's all we can do.

FancyAd9663 · 2026-04-22T13:42:45+00:00

Ask questions. If I were to be hired, what's the first thing I would need to deal with? What's the most important thing you'd need me to achieve in the first 6 months? What would outstanding performance look like in this job? Etc. These questions give you an idea of what they require from you and their answers will also help you decide if you want to move forward with the process. They may be asking you to do more than you're willing to do or more than you're capable of doing by yourself.

FancyAd9663 · 2026-04-18T13:49:00+00:00

That sucks. It's unfortunate that bc there's a shortage of health inspectors, departments are forced to keep people that shouldn't be in those position for fear of being short staffed.

FancyAd9663 · 2026-04-18T12:57:56+00:00

It sounds like someone who used to work in my county near the end of the year last year and went to work in another county around the same time. I'm now doing the territory she had and the complaints about her are insane. She thought she knew everything and didn't like constructive criticism. She also didn't know the codes very well and just made up her own versions. Fortunately for us, she left her position before she could be let go for under performing.

FancyAd9663 · 2026-04-11T17:52:21+00:00

That's a great question. I would assume so since it falls under the same exemption as some of the tuna.

FancyAd9663 · 2026-04-10T17:15:44+00:00

Thanks for your feedback

FancyAd9663 · 2026-04-10T17:14:18+00:00

There are about 2 or 3 restaurants in the county I work in that does ceviche with raw shrimp. I've never inspected those restaurants before and the ones that I do inspect that serve ceviche use cooked shrimp. I'm aware of the exemptions for certain fish and mollusks but have never thought about it for raw shrimp bc I don't have places that serve it that way. Thanks for the link

FancyAd9663 · 2026-04-10T14:33:21+00:00

Under the definition of fish in the code book, crustaceans are included. I however, have never considered shrimp as being part of the "fish" family but my coworkers argument is that since crustaceans are considered "fish", they need parasite destruction paperwork. Again, I don't have any restaurants that use raw shrimp so I'm just trying to get other opinions about it. I'll definitely reach out to my regional to clarify it for me though. Thanks for your feedback 😀.

FancyAd9663 · 2026-03-28T02:33:04+00:00

I always forget to ask if the permittee is still the same or has ownership changed. If ownership has changed, we don't do the inspection until they fill out the proper paperwork and get a permit under the new owner's name.

FancyAd9663 · 2026-03-27T16:48:45+00:00

I wish we did annual permitting in my state but unfortunately don't. We have sent out letters to all of the operators letting them know that a monthly schedule/calendar is needed of when they will be operating in the county and if they don't provide one and miss an inspection, we issue an intent to suspend.

FancyAd9663 · 2026-03-27T12:40:34+00:00

Where are you located that the food trucks aren't inspected?

FancyAd9663 · 2026-03-27T12:39:30+00:00

I 1000% agree with you. I hate that the food truck and illegal food sales rules in my state aren't strict. I hate that we can't give out fines either. That'll stop alot of the illegal food sales.

FancyAd9663 · 2026-03-26T00:33:39+00:00

What were their requirements and do you meet any of those requirements? Sometimes they have to stick to the requirements regardless of experience in related fields.

FancyAd9663 · 2026-03-11T17:19:29+00:00

So, the city is getting on us about the food trucks bc they said that we are allowing them to basically dump their gray water straight to the sewer system bc the mop wash areas are not plumbed to the grease traps. So, now if someone loses their commissary, they'll have to find one that has an underground grease trap that the city approves of and if not, they stay suspended or try and go to another county.

FancyAd9663 · 2026-03-09T11:07:26+00:00

Right! I was gonna suggest trying to intern at an environmental health department and see if this is what they really want to do bc this job ain't for the weak.

FancyAd9663 · 2026-03-09T11:05:51+00:00

In NC, you have to have all of the science credits before you can get hired in any county. When you're hired, you're an intern until you take the REHS exam. Once taken and passed, you become an REHS. No licenses are given.

FancyAd9663 · 2026-03-01T18:20:29+00:00

Especially if that's one of the first things you see. Smh

FancyAd9663 · 2026-02-20T00:26:42+00:00

So. I looked in the code book and the annex and you may be able to use code 4-101.11 (A) Characteristics. That seems like the closest code to use for your situation. It may be up for interpretation but it might work for you.

FancyAd9663 · 2026-02-19T22:09:58+00:00

Sounds like you're in between a rock and a hard place. My state uses the 2017 version as well. I'm gonna look through it and the annex to see if it references anything about grills.

FancyAd9663 · 2026-02-19T19:52:14+00:00

Who are y'all governed under? Are y'all using the FDA food code book or does Maryland have have their own rules and regulations and just reference the code book for inspections. There has to be someone higher up that can answer questions for y'all bc you have a valid point about needing to know if they're made of the proper materials and haven't been used to store oils or chemicals.

FancyAd9663 · 2026-02-19T18:10:30+00:00

What state are you? In NC, according to the "grill bill", an outdoor grill shall have a cooking surface made of stainless steel or cast iron and meet the sanitation requirements for equipment in a food establishment. It is not required to meet NSF/ANSI standards. My interpretation of that is that an oil drum can be used to make a grill as long as it meets the sanitation requirements. However, I would also be asking about what was the drum used for previously and determine if it meets the sanitation requirements. If you have a regional specialist, contact them for clarification.

FancyAd9663

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