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A health inspector, or Environmental Health Specialist is a public employee who investigates health hazards in a wide variety of locations, then will take action to mitigate or eliminate the hazards. Usually the public perception of a health inspector is someone who examines food establishments and ensures they maintain sanitary standards for food safety set by the regulating authority. However, most health inspectors have broader job duties, including inspecting swimming pools, substandard housing conditions, day cares, nursing homes, and personal service establishments such as tattoo parlours.

Some States only require a degree in Environmental science or a related field , but most require licenses. The majority recognize the National Environmental Health Associations certification, with the notable exceptions of California and New Jersey (conversely, their State tests are known to be the most rigorous).

Most Registered Environmental Health Specialists are employed by a City or County. Those employed by States usually inspect large Wholesale establishments, abattoirs, and dairy plants. A few are employed by large chains to perform internal audits, or have private consulting firms.

Depending on their jurisdiction, Registered Environmental Health Specialists often permit and inspect wells, private water systems, or individual subsurface sewage disposal (septic) systems. Other tasks include, public swimming pool inspections, campground inspections and mobile home park inspection.

They may also investigate complaints relating to the above areas, as well as other environmental health concerns such as animal bites, garbage complaints, odor complaints, or sewage overflows. The field also overlaps with Hazmat and many Hazmat responders are also licensed Registered Environmental Health Specialists.

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