How to Verify a Certified Industrial Hygienist (CIH)

Quick answer

Verify CIH credentials through the American Board of Industrial Hygiene (ABIH) certificant directory at abih.org/find-a-cih. Search by name to confirm CIH status, certification number, and whether the credential is currently active. ABIH certifications require renewal every 6 years.

About industrial hygiene and the CIH

Industrial hygienists anticipate, recognize, evaluate, and control workplace conditions that may cause worker illness or injury. Their work covers chemical exposure, noise, radiation, ergonomics, biological hazards, and indoor air quality.

The CIH is awarded by ABIH (American Board of Industrial Hygiene), the recognized credentialing body for the profession since 1960. It is recognized by OSHA, EPA, and federal contracting requirements for roles involving hazard assessment.

To earn the CIH, candidates must:

Hold a bachelor's degree in a qualifying science or engineering field
Have at least 4 years of professional industrial hygiene practice
Pass the CIH comprehensive examination
Maintain professional conduct standards

How to verify via the ABIH directory

Go to abih.org and navigate to “Find a CIH”
Enter the candidate's first name, last name, and optionally state
Results display the certificant's name, certification number, and status
Active CIH holders are listed; lapsed credentials may not appear or are marked inactive

The ABIH directory is the authoritative source. There is no separate third-party verification system for the CIH credential.

Recertification requirements

CIH certifications are valid for 6 years and require renewal through ABIH's Certification Maintenance Program:

Earn 90 points in industrial hygiene-related activities over the 6-year period
Points come from professional development, training, teaching, writing, and leadership activities
At least 60 points must be in IH-related technical content
Alternatively, recertify by retaking the CIH examination

A CIH with a lapsed certification may not use the designation. Verify that the candidate's certification is within its current 6-year cycle.

CIH vs. CSP: understanding the distinction

Industrial hygiene and occupational safety are related but distinct disciplines. Both credentials appear in EHS job descriptions, but they cover different expertise:

Credential	Issuer	Core Focus	Renewal
CIH	ABIH	Chemical/physical/biological hazard exposure; sampling and analysis	Every 6 years
CSP	BCSP	Broad workplace safety program management; hazard prevention	Every 5 years

Senior EHS professionals often hold both. For roles specifically involving air monitoring, exposure assessment, ventilation control, or toxicological evaluation, the CIH is the more directly relevant credential.

Red flags

Not found in the ABIH directory — ask for the ABIH certification number; lapsed credentials may not appear
Credential listed as inactive or lapsed — the CIH designation cannot be used after lapsing without reinstatement
Candidate holds CSP but claims CIH-level expertise — confirm which credential they actually hold
Confuses industrial hygiene with occupational safety — related but distinct disciplines requiring different expertise
Degree in an unrelated field — CIH eligibility requires a qualifying science or engineering degree; verify the credential pathway

Verification checklist

1. Search abih.org/find-a-cih by candidate name
2. Confirm CIH status is Active and within the current 6-year certification cycle
3. Note the certification number for documentation
4. If not found, contact ABIH directly with the candidate's certification number

Verify the industrial hygiene or science degree

CIH candidates must hold degrees in qualifying science or engineering fields. Use VerifyED to confirm whether a claimed institution is properly accredited.

Search Schools and Accreditation →