Certifications/Engineering & Construction
CredentialEngineering & Construction

ROH — Registered Occupational Hygienist

The ROH is a national credential that shows you meet professional standards in occupational hygiene, the science of spotting and controlling workplace health hazards. It is voluntary, so no one is required to hold it, but many employers value it.

Official website ↗
Written by AI from public information on 2026-10-26. Fees and rules change and vary by province — confirm with the official body before relying on anything here.
Typical cost
Not published
Time to earn it
Not published
Renewal
Not published
Issued by Canadian Registration Board of Occupational Hygienists (CRBOH)

About

Occupational hygienists protect workers from hazards such as chemicals, noise, dust, fumes, radiation and poor air quality. They measure exposures, assess the risks and recommend ways to control them. The Registered Occupational Hygienist, or ROH, credential is issued by the Canadian Registration Board of Occupational Hygienists (CRBOH) and is recognized across Canada.

Holding the ROH tells employers, clients and regulators that your knowledge and experience have been reviewed by your peers. It can help you move into senior roles, take on consulting work or stand out in a competitive job market. It is useful in many safety and health careers, including industrial hygienist, occupational health and safety specialist, environmental health and safety manager, safety inspector, environmental compliance inspector, environmental regulator, dangerous goods specialist and aviation safety roles. Because it is voluntary, you can still work in these fields without it.

How to get it

  1. Build your education
    Complete a post-secondary degree in a science or engineering field, or a related health and safety program. Courses in chemistry, biology, physics and toxicology are especially helpful.
  2. Gain work experience
    Work in occupational hygiene under the guidance of an experienced professional. You will need several years of practical experience doing real hygiene work, such as sampling, measuring and recommending controls.
  3. Check the requirements
    Review the current eligibility rules from CRBOH to confirm your education and experience qualify. Gather your transcripts, work history and references.
  4. Apply to CRBOH
    Submit your application and supporting documents. The board reviews your background to make sure it meets the standard for registration.
  5. Prepare for the exam
    Study the core areas of occupational hygiene, such as recognizing hazards, measuring exposures, evaluating risk and choosing controls. Plan for a few months of focused study alongside your work.
  6. Pass the exam and register
    Once you pass the exam, you can use the title Registered Occupational Hygienist and the ROH designation.

The exam

The ROH process includes a written exam that tests your knowledge across the main areas of occupational hygiene. Questions cover topics such as hazard recognition, exposure assessment, control methods and professional practice. Check with CRBOH for the current exam format, content outline and any study resources it recommends.

Careers that mention it

Keeping it

To keep your ROH, you need to stay active in the profession and keep learning. CRBOH expects you to take part in ongoing professional development and to renew your registration on a regular cycle. Confirm the current renewal rules and reporting requirements with CRBOH.

At a glance
Issued byCanadian Registration Board of Occupational Hygienists (CRBOH)
TypeCredential
Where it appliesAcross Canada
Required to workNo
Typical costNot published
Time to earn itNot published
RenewalNot published
Sources
Last checked 2026-10-25