Page 1 of 37
NEW JERSEY HEALTH OFFICER LICENSING EXAMINATION
2026 COMPLETE (105) CURRENT TESTING QUESTIONS
AND CORRECT ANSWERS WITH DETAILED RATIONALES.
HEALTH
Prepare for the New Jersey Health Officer Licensing Examination with this
comprehensive study resource designed to reinforce essential public health
principles, environmental health, disease prevention, health regulations, and
administrative responsibilities. This document helps you review key topics, assess
your understanding, and identify areas that may require additional study before the
licensing exam. Use it to strengthen your knowledge and build confidence through
focused, organized preparation. An excellent companion for successful New Jersey
Health Officer licensing exam preparation.
MULTIPLE CHOICE.
Legal & Regulatory Framework (Questions 1–25)
Question 1: A New Jersey Health Officer is generally the administrative officer
of a local health agency. Which of the following is NOT a core responsibility of
a Health Officer?
A. Evaluating community health problems
B. Planning appropriate activities to address health problems
C. Performing clinical surgical procedures in response to a public health
emergency
D. Developing budget procedures to finance health activities
Correct answer: C. Performing clinical surgical procedures in response to
a public health emergency
Rationale: A Health Officer's responsibilities are administrative and
managerial, such as planning, budgeting, and directing staff. Clinical
procedures like surgery are outside the scope of a Health Officer's duties
and are typically performed by licensed physicians .
, Page 2 of 37
Question 2: A license granted by the New Jersey Department of Health is
required for any person employed as which of the following?
A. Sanitary Inspector, Second Grade
B. Plumbing Inspector, First Grade
C. Health Officer only
D. Health Officer or Registered Environmental Health Specialist (REHS)
Correct answer: D. Health Officer or Registered Environmental Health
Specialist (REHS)
Rationale: N.J.A.C. 8:7-1.1(a) requires a license for those employed as a
Health Officer or a Registered Environmental Health Specialist .
Question 3: The New Jersey Public Health Licensing and Examination Board is
composed of how many members appointed by the Commissioner of Health?
A. 5
B. 7
C. 9
D. 11
Correct answer: D. 11
Rationale: The Board is composed of 11 members appointed by the
Commissioner, including one representative of the Commissioner, three
licensed health officers, and three licensed REHS .
Question 4: What is the minimum number of continuing education contact
hours a licensed Health Officer must complete annually to maintain an active
license in New Jersey?
A. 5
B. 8
C. 10
D. 15
Correct answer: B. 8
Rationale: N.J.A.C. 8:7-1.13(a)1 requires licensees to acquire at least eight
contact hours of approved continuing education annually .
, Page 3 of 37
Question 5: Which New Jersey statutory authority grants Local Boards of
Health the power to adopt and enforce health ordinances?
A. N.J.S.A. 26:1A
B. N.J.S.A. 26:3
C. N.J.S.A. 30:4
D. N.J.S.A. 40:2
Correct answer: B. N.J.S.A. 26:3
Rationale: N.J.S.A. 26:3 specifically outlines the powers and duties of
Local Boards of Health, including ordinance adoption and enforcement .
Question 6: The Public Health Council shall prescribe the qualifications
necessary for the licensing of health officers and registered environmental
health specialists under which statutory authority?
A. N.J.S.A. 26:1A-9
B. N.J.S.A. 26:1A-38
C. N.J.S.A. 26:3-31
D. N.J.S.A. 52:14B-1
Correct answer: B. N.J.S.A. 26:1A-38
Rationale: N.J.S.A. 26:1A-38 states that the Public Health Council shall
prescribe the qualifications necessary for the licensing of health officers
and registered environmental health specialists .
Question 7: According to N.J.A.C. 8:52-2.1, a "Health officer" is defined as:
A. Any physician employed by a municipality
B. An individual who is licensed and employed as the chief executive officer of
a municipal, regional, county, or contractual health agency
C. Any individual who holds a master's degree in public health
D. An individual appointed by the Governor
Correct answer: B. An individual who is licensed and employed as the
chief executive officer of a municipal, regional, county, or contractual
health agency
Rationale: N.J.A.C. 8:52-2.1 defines a "Health officer" as "an individual
who is licensed pursuant to N.J.A.C. 8:7 and is employed full-time as the
, Page 4 of 37
chief executive officer of a municipal, regional, county or contractual
health agency" .
Question 8: A Health Officer may issue a "Notice of Violation" under what
authority?
A. Federal regulation only
B. Municipal authority and state code
C. Professional association guidelines
D. Contract law
Correct answer: B. Municipal authority and state code
Rationale: The Health Officer has authority under the State Sanitary Code
and local ordinances to issue notices of violation for non-compliance
with public health laws .
Question 9: Under N.J.A.C. 8:7-1.10, what is one qualification pathway for a
health officer candidate?
A. High school diploma with 10 years of experience
B. Diplomate of the American Board of Preventive Medicine or complete
eligibility therefor
C. Associate degree in health administration
D. Certification as a community health worker
Correct answer: B. Diplomate of the American Board of Preventive
Medicine or complete eligibility therefor
Rationale: N.J.A.C. 8:7-1.10(a)(1) states that applicants shall meet one of
the following qualifications: "Diplomate of the American Board of
Preventive Medicine or complete eligibility therefor" .
Question 10: The core course work for a health officer candidate shall include
at least three credits in each of the following areas EXCEPT:
A. Planning
B. Administration
C. Social science
NEW JERSEY HEALTH OFFICER LICENSING EXAMINATION
2026 COMPLETE (105) CURRENT TESTING QUESTIONS
AND CORRECT ANSWERS WITH DETAILED RATIONALES.
HEALTH
Prepare for the New Jersey Health Officer Licensing Examination with this
comprehensive study resource designed to reinforce essential public health
principles, environmental health, disease prevention, health regulations, and
administrative responsibilities. This document helps you review key topics, assess
your understanding, and identify areas that may require additional study before the
licensing exam. Use it to strengthen your knowledge and build confidence through
focused, organized preparation. An excellent companion for successful New Jersey
Health Officer licensing exam preparation.
MULTIPLE CHOICE.
Legal & Regulatory Framework (Questions 1–25)
Question 1: A New Jersey Health Officer is generally the administrative officer
of a local health agency. Which of the following is NOT a core responsibility of
a Health Officer?
A. Evaluating community health problems
B. Planning appropriate activities to address health problems
C. Performing clinical surgical procedures in response to a public health
emergency
D. Developing budget procedures to finance health activities
Correct answer: C. Performing clinical surgical procedures in response to
a public health emergency
Rationale: A Health Officer's responsibilities are administrative and
managerial, such as planning, budgeting, and directing staff. Clinical
procedures like surgery are outside the scope of a Health Officer's duties
and are typically performed by licensed physicians .
, Page 2 of 37
Question 2: A license granted by the New Jersey Department of Health is
required for any person employed as which of the following?
A. Sanitary Inspector, Second Grade
B. Plumbing Inspector, First Grade
C. Health Officer only
D. Health Officer or Registered Environmental Health Specialist (REHS)
Correct answer: D. Health Officer or Registered Environmental Health
Specialist (REHS)
Rationale: N.J.A.C. 8:7-1.1(a) requires a license for those employed as a
Health Officer or a Registered Environmental Health Specialist .
Question 3: The New Jersey Public Health Licensing and Examination Board is
composed of how many members appointed by the Commissioner of Health?
A. 5
B. 7
C. 9
D. 11
Correct answer: D. 11
Rationale: The Board is composed of 11 members appointed by the
Commissioner, including one representative of the Commissioner, three
licensed health officers, and three licensed REHS .
Question 4: What is the minimum number of continuing education contact
hours a licensed Health Officer must complete annually to maintain an active
license in New Jersey?
A. 5
B. 8
C. 10
D. 15
Correct answer: B. 8
Rationale: N.J.A.C. 8:7-1.13(a)1 requires licensees to acquire at least eight
contact hours of approved continuing education annually .
, Page 3 of 37
Question 5: Which New Jersey statutory authority grants Local Boards of
Health the power to adopt and enforce health ordinances?
A. N.J.S.A. 26:1A
B. N.J.S.A. 26:3
C. N.J.S.A. 30:4
D. N.J.S.A. 40:2
Correct answer: B. N.J.S.A. 26:3
Rationale: N.J.S.A. 26:3 specifically outlines the powers and duties of
Local Boards of Health, including ordinance adoption and enforcement .
Question 6: The Public Health Council shall prescribe the qualifications
necessary for the licensing of health officers and registered environmental
health specialists under which statutory authority?
A. N.J.S.A. 26:1A-9
B. N.J.S.A. 26:1A-38
C. N.J.S.A. 26:3-31
D. N.J.S.A. 52:14B-1
Correct answer: B. N.J.S.A. 26:1A-38
Rationale: N.J.S.A. 26:1A-38 states that the Public Health Council shall
prescribe the qualifications necessary for the licensing of health officers
and registered environmental health specialists .
Question 7: According to N.J.A.C. 8:52-2.1, a "Health officer" is defined as:
A. Any physician employed by a municipality
B. An individual who is licensed and employed as the chief executive officer of
a municipal, regional, county, or contractual health agency
C. Any individual who holds a master's degree in public health
D. An individual appointed by the Governor
Correct answer: B. An individual who is licensed and employed as the
chief executive officer of a municipal, regional, county, or contractual
health agency
Rationale: N.J.A.C. 8:52-2.1 defines a "Health officer" as "an individual
who is licensed pursuant to N.J.A.C. 8:7 and is employed full-time as the
, Page 4 of 37
chief executive officer of a municipal, regional, county or contractual
health agency" .
Question 8: A Health Officer may issue a "Notice of Violation" under what
authority?
A. Federal regulation only
B. Municipal authority and state code
C. Professional association guidelines
D. Contract law
Correct answer: B. Municipal authority and state code
Rationale: The Health Officer has authority under the State Sanitary Code
and local ordinances to issue notices of violation for non-compliance
with public health laws .
Question 9: Under N.J.A.C. 8:7-1.10, what is one qualification pathway for a
health officer candidate?
A. High school diploma with 10 years of experience
B. Diplomate of the American Board of Preventive Medicine or complete
eligibility therefor
C. Associate degree in health administration
D. Certification as a community health worker
Correct answer: B. Diplomate of the American Board of Preventive
Medicine or complete eligibility therefor
Rationale: N.J.A.C. 8:7-1.10(a)(1) states that applicants shall meet one of
the following qualifications: "Diplomate of the American Board of
Preventive Medicine or complete eligibility therefor" .
Question 10: The core course work for a health officer candidate shall include
at least three credits in each of the following areas EXCEPT:
A. Planning
B. Administration
C. Social science
