Entry requirements (public health practitioner)
Here, you can find out more about the various entry requirements for working as a public health practitioner.
There are no set entry requirements to become a public health practitioner. Many roles do not have clearly defined training routes and, currently, registration as a “practitioner” with the UK Public Health Register [1] (UKPHR) is voluntary. This is unlike some other public health roles, for example, public health nurse [2] and health visitor [3] for which registration is mandatory in order to practise.
At present you can only apply to register as a public health practitioner with UKPHR through a local assessment and verification scheme.
An example entry route would be to get a qualification and experience working in a public health-related area. Depending on the specific practitioner role, related qualifications could include a first level degree in public health or related area [4], nursing [5], environmental health [6], or sport and exercise. Experience might include working with communities or groups, or working in a knowledge and intelligence role [7].
A degree apprenticeship standard for environmental health practitioners and a degree apprenticeship standard for public health practitioners have been approved for delivery. Vacancies will appear on the Government Find an Apprenticeship website [8] and in other locations listed under the Job market and vacancies section of our role page [9]
For more senior posts a Master’s Degree in Public Health (or equivalent experience) is often a requirement.
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