HB 6205 Summary

• Changes sanitarian credentialing from "registration" to "licensure" throughout the Public Health Code, with application processing fees increasing from $20 to $25 and annual license fees from $50 to $55.

• Establishes the Michigan Board of Sanitarians as a regulatory body with 11 members (6 licensed sanitarians, 1 food service representative, 1 water well driller representative, and 3 public members) to set qualifications, education standards, and handle disciplinary matters.

• Requires individuals to obtain a license to practice environmental health, with exemptions for licensed professionals in other fields, unlicensed workers under supervision, and those with professional certifications in industrial hygiene, occupational safety, or health physics.

• Provides a 2-year transition period for previously registered sanitarians and unregistered practitioners with 5+ years of environmental health experience to obtain licenses without passing the national examination; those with less than 5 years may apply for limited licenses valid for up to 6 years with supervision requirements.

• Requires 24 hours of continuing education every 2 years for license renewal and adopts national environmental health association standards for examinations and qualifications.