(1) Upon receipt of the required fees, the department shall issue a certificate to each applicant who meets the requirements of Florida Statutes § 381.0101(5), and Fl. Admin. Code R. 64E-18.003
    (2) All certificates expire on September 30th of odd numbered years.
    (3) Certificates shall be renewed only after information has been provided to the department that the environmental health professional has successfully completed, within the previous 24-month period, 24 contact hours of continuing education relating to public health and environmental health principles for each program area in which they maintain certification. Contact hours will be prorated on a semi-annual basis. Such information shall be accompanied by necessary renewal fees and a completed DH Form 4101, Application for Renewal of Environmental Health Professional Certification, November 2004, incorporated by reference in this rule.
    (4) An application for renewal must be postmarked on or before the close of business on September 30th of the expiration year of the certificate. If that date falls on a weekend or holiday, the date of expiration shall be the first working day after the expiration date on the certificate. If a certificate holder does not file a renewal application prior to the expiration date of the certificate, the certificate will revert to an inactive status. A certificate can remain inactive no longer than 3 months at which time if not renewed it will expire. Environmental health professionals shall not provide services in a primary environmental health program with a revoked, suspended, inactive, or expired certificate.
    (5) Those persons seeking certification under Section 381.0101(5)(a)2., F.S., must apply on DH Form 4100, Application for Environmental Health Professional Certification. The application must be completed in full and submitted to the department. Applications are available through the county health departments or online at http://www.doh.state.fl.us.
Rulemaking Authority Florida Statutes § 381.0101(5). Law Implemented Florida Statutes § 381.0101. History-New 9-21-94, Amended 8-20-96, Formerly 10D-123.004, Amended 3-2-98, 8-21-05.