Free CIH Exam Prep
CIH Certified Industrial Hygienist
Prepare for the CIH exam without spending hundreds on expensive prep courses. Free study guides, practice questions, flashcards, and related exam resources.
Quick Facts
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CIH BGC EHS Credentialing Certifications License: Complete Roadmap
Follow this path to organize your licensing and exam preparation
Foundational Sciences & Exposure AssessmentYou are here
Master gas laws, unit conversions, air sampling methodologies, analytical chemistry techniques (GC, AAS, ICP, XRD), and lognormal biostatistics representing 50% of the exam.
Ventilation Engineering & Physical Hazard Controls
Deep dive into local exhaust ventilation hood sizing, duct transport velocities, fan laws, acoustic decibel math, WBGT heat stress indices, and radiation shielding.
Toxicology, Biohazards & Environmental Health
Study toxicokinetics, target organ mechanisms, BEI biological monitoring, mold/Legionella investigations, and ambient dispersion modeling.
Ergonomics, Industrial Processes & Ethics
Master the Revised NIOSH Lifting Equation, welding/electroplating process hazards, confined space testing protocols, ISO 45001 management, and BGC ethical canons.
Timed Practice Exams & Formula Mastery
Complete full-length 180-question practice exams under 5-hour timed conditions and drill calculations until formulas and unit conversions are second nature.
Can You Take the CIH Exam?
Check if you meet the basic eligibility requirements
- •180 academic contact hours or 240 continuing education contact hours of industrial hygiene coursework, at least half of it (90 academic or 120 continuing education hours) covering toxicology, fundamentals of industrial hygiene, measurements, and controls
- •At least two contact hours of ethics coursework, which do not count toward the IH coursework hours
- •A minimum of two Professional Reference Questionnaires covering the 48 claimed months, at least one submitted by a currently certified CIH
- •Official transcripts sent to BGC directly by the university; degrees earned outside the U.S. or Canada require a NACES or AICE credential evaluation
- •Agreement to adhere to the BGC Code of Ethics and Ethics Case Procedures
- •Application materials postmarked by February 1 for the spring window or August 1 for the fall window
CIH Quick Facts
Time to Get Licensed
3 to 6 months of structured study (150-250 total hours)
From start to license in hand
Exam Provider
Pearson VUE test centers (BGC has suspended remote proctored testing)
Retake Policy
A candidate who does not pass must wait until the next testing window (spring or fall) and pay the $370 examination fee again. The application packet stays active for four consecutive windows (two years); after that a $160 reapplication fee and an updated Professional Reference Questionnaire are required.
Total Cost Breakdown
Free CIH Prep Tools
140+ Practice Questions
Practice by topic with detailed answer explanations
AI Tutor Explains Mistakes
Understand why answers are wrong, not just which ones
Updated for 2026
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What You'll Study
19 chapters covering the exam topics in this guide
Chapter 1: The CIH Exam and How to Use This Guide
3 sections
Chapter 2: Basic Science & Calculations
3 sections
Chapter 3: Air Sampling & Instrumentation
3 sections
Chapter 4: Analytical Chemistry & Lab Methods
5 sections
Chapter 5: Biostatistics & Epidemiology
4 sections
Chapter 6: Toxicology & Biological Monitoring
8 sections
Chapter 7: Biohazards & Indoor Environmental Quality
4 sections
Chapter 8: Community Exposure & Environmental Health
7 sections
Chapter 9: Health Risk Analysis & Hazard Communication
7 sections
Chapter 10: Industrial Ventilation Principles & LEV Design
7 sections
Chapter 11: General Ventilation, Air Cleaning & Diagnostics
5 sections
Chapter 12: Noise Measurement & Hearing Conservation
7 sections
Chapter 13: Thermal Stress Assessment & Control
3 sections
Chapter 14: Ionizing Radiation Protection
6 sections
Chapter 15: Non-Ionizing Radiation & Laser Safety
5 sections
Chapter 16: Non-Engineering Controls & Personal Protective Equipment
5 sections
Chapter 17: Ergonomics & Workstation Design
6 sections
Chapter 18: Work Environments & Industrial Processes
7 sections
Chapter 19: IH Program Management & Professional Ethics
5 sections
CIH Exam Details
CIH Certified Industrial Hygienist
Administered by Board for Global EHS Credentialing (BGC)
Exam Content Breakdown
Based on the official Board for Global EHS Credentialing (BGC) content outline
Anticipation and recognition of chemical, physical, and biological hazards; air sampling methodologies; direct-reading instrumentation; analytical chemistry; biostatistics; and occupational epidemiology.
Local exhaust ventilation design; general dilution ventilation; air cleaning technology; noise and vibration engineering; thermal stress management; radiation protection; and personal protective equipment.
Occupational health and safety management systems (ISO 45001, ANSI Z10); BGC professional ethics; regulatory compliance; hazard communication (GHS); and industrial process risk characterization.
What's Included
19 Chapters
Complete exam coverage
Practice Quizzes
With detailed explanations
Free to Start
No credit card required
Quality Exam Prep Shouldn't Cost Hundreds
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What's Next After the CIH?
After passing the CIH, you can pursue these career paths
CSP (Certified Safety Professional)
Pair industrial hygiene expertise with broad safety engineering and system safety management across industrial and construction sectors.
CHMM (Certified Hazardous Materials Manager)
Deepen hazardous materials management, environmental fate, RCRA waste handling, and emergency response leadership.
QEP (Qualified Environmental Professional)
Expand into multimedia environmental compliance, air dispersion modeling, wastewater treatment, and environmental auditing.
CIH Exam FAQ
Official Board for Global EHS Credentialing (BGC) Resources
Verify information with these official sources
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