100+ Free NEHA REHS/RS Practice Questions

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What is the minimum internal cooking temperature required for ground beef to ensure the destruction of E. coli O157:H7?

145°F (63°C)

155°F (68°C)

165°F (74°C)

135°F (57°C)

to track

2026 Statistics

Key Facts: NEHA REHS/RS Exam

225

Total Questions

NEHA REHS/RS Candidate Information Brochure

3h 40m

Testing Time

NEHA REHS/RS Candidate Information Brochure

650/900

Passing Score (scaled)

NEHA REHS/RS Exam Scores page

$420–$605

Exam Fee Range

NEHA REHS/RS credential page

90 days

Retake Waiting Period

NEHA REHS/RS Candidate Information Brochure

24 hours / 2 years

Continuing Education Renewal

NEHA credentialing handbook

NEHA's current REHS/RS brochure confirms a 225-question, two-part exam (113 + 112 questions) with 3 hours and 40 minutes total testing time. Of the 225 items, 200 are scored and 25 are unscored pilot questions. Scores range from 0 to 900 with a passing scaled score of 650. The exam is delivered at Pearson VUE testing centers. Candidates who fail must wait 90 days before retaking. Eligibility requires a bachelor's degree with 30 semester hours of basic science and 2 years of environmental health experience (or an EHAC-accredited degree with no experience requirement).

Sample NEHA REHS/RS Practice Questions

Try these sample questions to test your NEHA REHS/RS exam readiness. Each question includes a detailed explanation. Start the interactive quiz above for the full 100+ question experience with AI tutoring.

1What is the minimum internal cooking temperature required for ground beef to ensure the destruction of E. coli O157:H7?

A.145°F (63°C)

B.155°F (68°C)

C.165°F (74°C)

D.135°F (57°C)

Explanation: Ground beef must be cooked to a minimum internal temperature of 155°F (68°C) for 17 seconds to destroy E. coli O157:H7 and other pathogens. Whole cuts of beef can be cooked to 145°F, but ground meat requires higher temperatures because surface bacteria are mixed throughout during grinding. Exam Tip: Remember the three key temperatures — 145°F for whole meats, 155°F for ground meats, and 165°F for poultry.

2Which federal agency is primarily responsible for regulating drinking water quality standards in the United States?

A.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)

B.Food and Drug Administration (FDA)

C.Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)

D.Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA)

Explanation: The EPA is the primary federal agency responsible for regulating drinking water quality under the Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA). The EPA sets maximum contaminant levels (MCLs) for over 90 contaminants in public water systems. The CDC provides guidance on waterborne disease but does not set regulatory standards. The FDA regulates bottled water. Exam Tip: EPA regulates public water systems; FDA regulates bottled water.

3During a routine food establishment inspection, an environmental health specialist observes raw chicken stored on a shelf directly above ready-to-eat salads in a walk-in cooler. What is the primary concern?

A.Temperature abuse of the chicken

B.Cross-contamination from raw poultry drippings

C.Inadequate air circulation in the cooler

D.Improper labeling of food items

Explanation: The primary concern is cross-contamination. Raw poultry juices can drip onto ready-to-eat foods below, introducing pathogens such as Salmonella and Campylobacter. Proper storage requires raw meats to be stored below ready-to-eat foods, with poultry on the lowest shelf. The correct order from top to bottom is: ready-to-eat foods, whole seafood/cuts of beef/pork, ground meats, then poultry. Exam Tip: Remember the vertical storage order in coolers — highest cooking temp goes on the lowest shelf.

4What is the primary purpose of the Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points (HACCP) system?

A.To monitor employee hygiene practices

B.To prevent, eliminate, or reduce food safety hazards to acceptable levels

C.To standardize food preparation recipes

D.To track food product recalls

Explanation: HACCP is a systematic preventive approach to food safety that identifies, evaluates, and controls hazards that are significant to food safety. The seven principles of HACCP include hazard analysis, identifying critical control points, establishing critical limits, monitoring, corrective actions, verification, and record-keeping. HACCP focuses on prevention rather than end-product testing. Exam Tip: Know all 7 HACCP principles — they are frequently tested.

5Which of the following bacteria is most commonly associated with improperly canned, low-acid foods?

A.Staphylococcus aureus

B.Clostridium botulinum

C.Listeria monocytogenes

D.Vibrio parahaemolyticus

Explanation: Clostridium botulinum is an anaerobic, spore-forming bacterium that thrives in the oxygen-free environment of improperly canned, low-acid foods (pH above 4.6). It produces botulinum toxin, one of the most potent neurotoxins known. Proper canning requires temperatures of 250°F (121°C) under pressure to destroy the spores. Exam Tip: Botulism is linked to anaerobic, low-acid conditions — think canned foods, vacuum-packed items, and garlic-in-oil mixtures.

6What is the temperature range of the 'danger zone' for bacterial growth in food?

A.32°F to 140°F (0°C to 60°C)

B.41°F to 135°F (5°C to 57°C)

C.50°F to 160°F (10°C to 71°C)

D.40°F to 140°F (4°C to 60°C)

Explanation: The FDA Food Code defines the danger zone as 41°F to 135°F (5°C to 57°C). In this temperature range, bacteria can double in number every 20 minutes under optimal conditions. Potentially hazardous foods (time/temperature control for safety foods) must not remain in this range for more than 4 hours cumulatively. Exam Tip: The FDA Food Code danger zone is 41-135°F; some older references use 40-140°F. The REHS exam follows FDA Food Code standards.

7Which waterborne parasite is resistant to standard chlorine disinfection and requires filtration for effective removal from drinking water?

A.Giardia lamblia

B.Cryptosporidium parvum

C.Entamoeba histolytica

D.Toxoplasma gondii

Explanation: Cryptosporidium parvum oocysts are highly resistant to standard chlorine disinfection levels used in water treatment. Effective removal requires physical filtration, UV disinfection, or ozone treatment. The 2006 Long Term 2 Enhanced Surface Water Treatment Rule specifically addresses Cryptosporidium in public water systems. Giardia is more susceptible to chlorination than Cryptosporidium. Exam Tip: Cryptosporidium's chlorine resistance makes it a key pathogen in water treatment regulatory questions.

8What is the maximum contaminant level goal (MCLG) for lead in drinking water as set by the EPA?

A.15 parts per billion (ppb)

B.10 parts per billion (ppb)

C.Zero

D.5 parts per billion (ppb)

Explanation: The EPA's MCLG for lead in drinking water is zero because lead is a toxic metal that can be harmful to human health even at low exposure levels. The action level for lead is 15 ppb, which triggers treatment requirements if exceeded in more than 10% of tap water samples. The MCLG is a non-enforceable health goal, while the action level triggers regulatory requirements under the Lead and Copper Rule. Exam Tip: Distinguish between MCLG (health goal, zero for lead) and action level (regulatory trigger, 15 ppb).

9During a septic system inspection, an environmental health specialist observes sewage surfacing in the yard above the drain field. What is the most likely cause?

A.Excessive water use beyond system capacity

B.Biomat clogging of the soil absorption field

C.Improper tank size

D.High groundwater table only during rainy seasons

Explanation: Biomat clogging is the most common cause of septic system drain field failure. A biomat is a biological layer that forms at the soil-effluent interface, reducing the soil's ability to absorb wastewater. While excessive water use and high groundwater can contribute to failure, biomat accumulation from long-term use is the most frequent cause of surface breakout. Exam Tip: Wastewater system inspections make up approximately 12% of the REHS exam — understand common failure modes.

10Which federal law established the Superfund program to clean up abandoned hazardous waste sites?

A.Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA)

B.Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA)

C.Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (CERCLA)

D.Emergency Planning and Community Right-to-Know Act (EPCRA)

Explanation: CERCLA, commonly known as Superfund, was enacted in 1980 to address abandoned or uncontrolled hazardous waste sites. It established a fund for cleanup and created liability provisions for responsible parties. RCRA regulates active hazardous waste management, while CERCLA focuses on historical contamination. EPCRA (SARA Title III) requires emergency planning and chemical reporting. Exam Tip: RCRA = cradle-to-grave management of active waste; CERCLA = cleanup of abandoned/historical contamination sites.

About the NEHA REHS/RS Exam

The REHS/RS credential is the gold standard in environmental health, demonstrating competency across food safety, water quality, wastewater, hazardous materials, air quality, vector control, housing, emergency response, and regulatory compliance. Administered at Pearson VUE testing centers, the exam covers 6 content domains weighted by professional task analysis.

Questions

225 scored questions

Time Limit

3 hours 40 minutes

Passing Score

650/900 (scaled score)

Exam Fee

$420 (NEHA members) / $605 (non-members) (NEHA (National Environmental Health Association) / Pearson VUE)

NEHA REHS/RS Exam Content Outline

35%

Conducting Facility Inspections

Food facility, recreational water, institutional, healthy homes, body art, hazardous waste, solid waste, and other facility inspections

20%

Conducting System Inspections

Occupational health and safety inspections, onsite wastewater system inspections, and potable water quality inspections

14%

Conducting Investigations

Complaint investigations, epidemiology investigations, illegal operators, hazardous waste investigations, and indoor air quality investigations

13%

Ensuring Compliance

Regulation development, plan review, HACCP plan review, and technical assistance to stakeholders

10%

Promoting Environmental Public Health Awareness

Community health assessment, partnerships, outreach, risk communication, and environmental surveillance

Responding to Emergencies

Community risk assessment, emergency preparedness planning, training, implementation, and recovery follow-up

How to Pass the NEHA REHS/RS Exam

What You Need to Know

Passing score: 650/900 (scaled score)
Exam length: 225 questions
Time limit: 3 hours 40 minutes
Exam fee: $420 (NEHA members) / $605 (non-members)

Keys to Passing

Complete 500+ practice questions
Score 80%+ consistently before scheduling
Focus on highest-weighted sections
Use our AI tutor for tough concepts

NEHA REHS/RS Study Tips from Top Performers

1Prioritize Conducting Facility Inspections content — it accounts for 35% of the exam (79 scored items)

2Master food safety fundamentals: HACCP principles, FDA Food Code temperatures, and Big 6 pathogens

3Study wastewater system inspections thoroughly — onsite systems alone account for 12% of scored items

4Know key environmental laws and their jurisdictions: RCRA, CERCLA, CWA, CAA, SDWA, TSCA, FIFRA, EPCRA

5Practice epidemiological calculations: attack rates, incidence, prevalence, and odds ratios

Frequently Asked Questions

How many questions are on the REHS/RS exam?

The REHS/RS exam has 225 multiple-choice questions total, split into two parts (113 + 112). Of these, 200 are scored and 25 are unscored pilot questions. You have 3 hours and 40 minutes total testing time.

What is the passing score for the REHS/RS exam?

The passing scaled score is 650 out of a possible 900. This is a scaled score, not a percentage — the raw passing score is mathematically transformed so that the passing scaled score always equals 650.

How much does the REHS/RS exam cost?

Exam fees range from $420 for NEHA members to $605 for non-members, plus a $95 computer testing fee paid to Pearson VUE.

What are the eligibility requirements for the REHS/RS exam?

Track A requires an EHAC-accredited environmental health degree (no experience needed). Track B requires a bachelor's degree with 30 semester hours of basic science, a math course, and 2 years of environmental health experience. Track C is an In-Training option for those who meet Track B education but lack work experience.

How long do I have to wait to retake the REHS/RS exam?

You must wait at least 90 days from your test date before retaking the exam. There is no limit on the number of retake attempts, but you must pay exam fees again for each retake.