Optional · 1 of 2

Credentials that raise your pay

• Registered environmental health specialist

  The standard credential for health department work, from the National Environmental Health Association.

• Professional geologist license

  Required in most states to sign geological reports. Needs a degree, experience and an exam.

• Hazardous waste operations training

  A 40-hour federal safety course with a yearly refresher. Required before you can set foot on a cleanup site.

• Mapping software

  Geographic information systems (GIS) skills are the fastest way to become the person everyone needs.

• Certified hazardous materials manager

  An experience-plus-exam credential that moves you toward managing cleanups rather than sampling them.