Professional Organizations

OEHA supports the professional development of its members and constituents by providing opportunities for continuing education and networking with colleagues, and encouraging participation in a variety of professional organizations.

There are a variety of professional organizations that benefit the Environmental Health Professional. Through conferences and workshops, they may offer Continuing Education credits that assist in maintaining the Registered Environmental Health Specialist Credential. They may also offer additional resources, training or funding that support professional growth and development.

Below you will find a range of Professional Organizations and Government Agencies that directly support the work of Environmental Health Professionals in the State of Oregon.

McKenzie River, Oregon. Photo courtesy of Pixabay

Professional Organizations

American Association of Radon Scientists and Technologists (AARST)

AARST is a nonprofit, professional organization of members who are dedicated to the highest standard of excellence and the ethical performance of radon measurement, mitigation, and transfer of information for the benefit of members, consumers, and the public at large.

Association of Food and Drug Officials (AFDO)

The Association of Food and Drug Officials (AFDO) is an international, non-profit organization that is in the forefront of streamlining and simplifying regulations by either drafting regulatory rules or by commenting on government proposals.

Association for Professionals in Infection Control and Epidemiology (APIC)

The Association for Professionals in Infection Control and Epidemiology (APIC) is the leading professional association for infection preventionists (IPs) with more than 15,000 members. Most APIC members are nurses, physicians, public health professionals, epidemiologists, microbiologists, or medical technologists.

American Mosquito Control Association (AMCA)

The American Mosquito Control Association, founded in 1935, is a scientific/educational, not-for-profit public service association. It is world-wide in scope, with members or subscribers to its publications in over fifty countries. Their mission is to provide leadership, information, and education leading to the enhancement of health and quality of life through the suppression of mosquitoes and other vector-transmitted diseases, and the reduction of annoyance levels caused by mosquitoes and other vectors and pests of public health importance.

Association of Oregon Counties

The Association of Oregon Counties connects and strengthens Oregon's thirty six counties by developing and sharing solutions to county issues through advocacy, research, and leadership development.

California Environmental Health Association (CEHA)

CEHA is a non-profit association committed to providing for the professional growth and development of the environmental health professional. We are primarily an organization of volunteers dedicated to the environmental health profession, which includes the protection of public health and the environment.

Conference of Radiation Control Program Directors, Inc. (CRCPD)

The Conference of Radiation Control Program Directors, Inc. (CRCPD) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit non-governmental professional organization dedicated to radiation protection. CRCPD's mission is "to promote consistency in addressing and resolving radiation protection issues, to encourage high standards of quality in radiation protection programs, and to provide leadership in radiation safety and education."

Conference for Food Protection (CFP)

The Conference for Food Protection is a non-profit organization which originated in 1971. It was created to provide a formal process whereby members of industry, regulatory, academia, consumer, and professional organizations are afforded equal input in the development and/or modification of food safety guidance.

Idaho Environmental Health Association (IEHA)

The Idaho Environmental Health Association provides an opportunity and stimulus for professional growth; promotes high standards of conduct and qualifications; strives for increased recognition of environmental health professionals as a group rendering service vital to the health and well-being of the public; and continues to affiliate with national organizations with similar objectives and programs.

National Association of County and City Health Officials (NACCHO)

The National Association of County and City Health Officials is the Washington, DC-based organization representing 2,800 local public health departments in the U.S.

National Environmental Health Association (NEHA)

NEHA currently serves 5,000 members to advance the environmental health and protection professional for the purpose of providing a healthful environment for all. It provides training and resources for continuing education through online courses and an annual conference, fosters networking and career growth, and publishes the peer-reviewed Journal of Environmental Health. It also offers a Registered Environmental Health Specialist/Registered Sanitarian credential for professionals who qualify through experience and testing.

National Small Flows Clearinghouse (NSFC)

The National Small Flows Clearinghouse (NSFC) was funded by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to help America's small communities and individuals solve their wastewater problems through objective information about onsite, decentralized wastewater collection and treatment systems.

National Standards Foundation International (NSF)

NSF International is dedicated to protecting and improving global human health as a global, independent organization. Their standards team facilitates development of public health standards, and our service teams test, audit and certify products and services. The NSF mark assures consumers, retailers and regulators that certified products have been rigorously tested to comply with all standard requirements. Separately, they offer customized training and education, risk management and consulting solutions.

Oregon Association of Water Utilities (OAWU)

Oregon Association of Water Utilities is a nonprofit, independent association of water and wastewater utilities. OAWU was formed in 1977 to represent water utilities’ interests in the state legislature and provide onsite technical assistance. OAWU is a state affiliate of the National Rural Water Association.

Oregon Coalition of Local Health Officials (CLHO)

Coalition of Local Health Officials (CLHO) The Oregon Coalition of Local Health Officials represents Oregon's 33 Local Public Health Authorities to the Oregon Legislature and provides public health communications and workforce development support.

Oregon Conference of Local Environmental Health Supervisors (CLEHS)

CLEHS is a subgroup of CLHO. The Conference of Local Environmental Health Supervisors meets monthly.

Oregon Public Health Association (OPHA)

OPHA is made up of students, health educators, doctors, nurses, dentists, researchers, professors, community leaders, and citizens from all walks of life who share a commitment to public health in Oregon. Their membership includes individuals and organizations in regions across the state, providing OPHA with a strong combination of grassroots support and technical expertise. They succeed by bringing together the power of our members with community organizing, coalition building, public and professional education, and advocacy. Founded in 1944, OPHA is an affiliate of the American Public Health Association, the largest public health association in the nation.

The Pool and Hot Tub Alliance (PHTA)

The Pool & Hot Tub Alliance protects and advances the common interests of the industry by providing education, advocacy, standards development, research, and market growth to increase our members’ professionalism, knowledge and profitability. Their purpose is to promote safe and healthy pool and hot tub environments for people to share enjoyable aquatic experiences. They offer the Certified Pool Operator (CPO) certification.

Rural Community Assistance Corporation (RCAC)

RCAC is a nonprofit organization that helps rural communities in 13 states and the Western Pacific meet their goals through technical assistance, training and financing.

Washington State Environmental Health Association (WSEHA)

WSEHA is a non-profit professional and educational organization established to provide a forum for dialogue and a vehicle for advanced training opportunities. WSEHA enhances individual and collective expertise, promotes professional growth, and revitalizes Environmental Health endeavors.

Oregon Farm. Photo courtesy of Pixabay

Government Agencies

Oregon Department of Agriculture (ODA)

The Oregon Department of Agriculture serves the changing needs of Oregon’s diverse agricultural and food sectors to maintain and enhance a healthy natural resource base and strong economy in rural and urban communities across the state.

Oregon Department of Environmental Quality (OR DEQ)

The Oregon Department of Environmental Quality is a regulatory agency whose job is to protect the quality of Oregon's environment. DEQ's mission is to be a leader in restoring, maintaining and enhancing the quality of Oregon's air, land and water.

Oregon Epidemiologists' Meeting

The Oregon Epidemiologists' Meeting is an annual conference organized by the Public Health Division of the Oregon Health Authority.

Oregon Health Authority (OHA)

The Oregon Health Authority is a government agency at the forefront of lowering and containing costs, improving quality and increasing access to health care in order to improve the lifelong health of Oregonians. OHA is overseen by the nine-member citizen Oregon Health Policy Board working towards comprehensive health reform in our state.

Oregon Occupational Safety and Health Association (OSHA)

The Oregon Occupational Safety and Health Division is a state government agency that regulates workplace safety and health. They are dedicated to improving workplace safety and health and work with labor, business, and other government agencies to achieve that goal. They carry out their mission through consultations, enforcement, public education, providing technical resources and running a nationally certified occupational health laboratory in Portland.

Oregon State Public Health Lab (OSPHL)

The OSPHL is run by the Oregon Health Authority and has been actively protecting the public's health since 1903 by supporting state and local infectious disease control efforts, preventing metabolic disorders detectable at birth, and assuring the quality of testing in clinical and environmental laboratories.

Oregon State University (OSU)

Oregon State is an international public research university that draws people from all 50 states and more than 100 countries. Oregon State University has two campuses, eleven colleges, twelve experiment stations, Extension programs in all thirty six counties and more than two hundred academic programs.

Oregon Water Resource Department (OWRD)

OWRD is run by the State of Oregon and serves the public by practicing and promoting responsible water management.

US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)

As the nation's health protection agency, CDC saves lives and protects people from health, safety, and security threats.

US Department of Agriculture (USDA)

The United States Department of Agriculture is the U.S. federal executive department responsible for developing and executing federal laws related to farming, forestry, rural economic development, and food.

US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)

The Environmental Protection Agency is an independent executive agency of the United States federal government tasked with environmental protection matters. The mission of EPA is to protect human health and the environment.

US Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA)

The Federal Emergency Management Agency is an agency of the United States Department of Homeland Security, initially created under President Jimmy Carter in 1978. Their mission is to help people before, during and after disasters.

US Food and Drug Administration (FDA)

The FDA is a federal agency of the Department of Health and Human Services that is responsible for protecting the public health by ensuring the safety, efficacy, and security of human and veterinary drugs, biological products, and medical devices; and by ensuring the safety of our nation's food supply, cosmetics, and products that emit radiation.

US Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS)

The Food Safety and Inspection Service, an agency of the United States Department of Agriculture, is the public health regulatory agency responsible for ensuring that United States' commercial supply of meat, poultry, and egg products is safe, wholesome, and correctly labeled and packaged.