Tier 1: Essential Knowledge
Self-paced online courses, facilitated by TRAIN MA, FDA, and other organizations. Tier 1 provides local public health professionals the opportunity to develop baseline knowledge on local public health topics on their own time and free of charge. These courses are required to be completed before registering for the Local Public Health Training Program (LPH) courses. For a list of the required coursework for Local Public Health Training Program Food & Housing, click here. To register for the courses, click the following links for Food and Housing TRAIN MA Learning Plan.
Summary of changes to FDA Course Requirements for Massachusetts Local Public Health Training Program
If you have issues accessing or setting up an account on TRAIN MA please email: olrhtrainingsupport@mass.gov.
Tier 2: Instructor Guided Learning
Instructor-led classroom courses offered as a hybrid learning experience. Ex: LPH Food and Housing, Certified Pool Operator, Soil Evaluator, System Inspector, etc. Building upon the knowledge gained in Tier 1, Tier 2 gives Local Public Health (LPH) professionals the opportunity to learn about different public health topics. The knowledge gained in this tier will be applied to real public health scenarios in Tier 3.
| Local Public Health Training Program (LPH) Housing: | Local Public Health Training Program (LPH) Food: |
| The Local Public Health Training Program (LPH) Housing course, formerly known as MA PHIT or LPHIT Housing, is designed for local health inspectors charged with enforcing housing-related laws and regulations, including State Sanitary Codes (SSC) 105 CMR 400.000: General Administrative Procedures (400) and 410.000: Minimum Standards of Fitness for Human Habitation (410). This training program prepares health inspectors with in-depth knowledge of the housing inspection process before their practical, in-person Tier 3 experience led by HUB trainers. All modules are interactive and engaging. | The Local Public Health Training Program (LPH) Food course, formerly known as MA PHIT or LPHIT Food, is designed for local food inspectors charged with enforcing Massachusetts Sanitary Codes 105 CMR 590.000 AND the 2013 FDA Model Food Code and Supplements. This training program prepares health and food inspectors with in-depth knowledge of the food inspection process before their practical, in-person Tier 3 experience led by Hub trainers. All modules are interactive and engaging. |
Stay tuned for more courses coming up!
For a list of the required coursework for Local Public Health Training Program Food & Housing, click here. When you complete the LPH Food/Housing courses AND the coursework, you will be eligible to start Tier 3: Applied Practice with CMPH Training Hub. Emily Whittaker-Smith, Public Health Training Manager, will be contacting local public health inspectors with next steps. If you have any questions, please email ewhittakersmith@cmrpc.org.
Tier 3: Applied Practice
Public Health Training Manager, Emily Whittaker-Smith will provide each inspector with on-site training in conducting a variety of inspections. Emily can provide informal training and assistance for new or current inspectors. If you have any questions, please email ewhittakersmith@cmrpc.org.
Tier 3 Food
Inspectors who have completed Tier 1: Essential Knowledge and Tier 2: Instructor Guided Learning are eligible to complete Tier 3: Applied Practice. This involves a series of inspections, covering full-service establishments (Risk 2, 3, and 4), Hazard Analysis Critical Control Points (HACCP), and Highly Susceptible Populations (HSPs).
Tier 3 Housing
Inspectors who have completed Tier 1: Essential Knowledge and Tier 2: Instructor Guided Learning are eligible for Tiers 3 and 4: Applied Practice. This involves a series of inspections broken down in four categories:
1. Controlled:
These inspections present the trainee with a minimum of two staged scenes or pictures of real-life conditions. By evaluating these staged scenes in an in-person setting (or virtually, on an as needed basis only), trainees can practice their observational skills and decision-making process in a controlled environment, while being able to ask questions or request additional guidance. The trainee will then determine if the conditions in the scene or photos represent violations and will proceed as if they had observed these conditions in real-time by completing an inspection report form. Within a set amount of time, the trainee will then submit the necessary inspectional documentation such as the inspection report form, order to correct, condemnation order, etc. electronically to the trainer for review. After review, the trainer and trainee will schedule an in-person (or virtual, on an as needed basis only) follow-up review session, to discuss the findings, reinforce learning, address questions or concerns, and provide valuable feedback for improvement. This controlled environment allows for exposure to conditions that may otherwise not be possible or may be deemed not appropriate based on training criteria while ensuring a positive hands-on learning experience
2. Pre-Occupancy Inspection:
These inspections are scheduled and announced, often involving either an occupied or vacant dwelling unit. The managed environment allows the trainee to conduct the inspection in a low pressure setting that is conducive to learning. An owner or property manager may or may not be present.
3 and 4. On Demand:
These inspections (a minimum of two) involve responding to requests for inspections or complaints that occur in real-time. They provide trainees with hands-on practical experience involving the public and require a time sensitive response. The trainer and trainee are expected to coordinate a response as quickly and efficiently as possible, demonstrating their best efforts to respond in accordance with 105 CMR 410.600. This type of inspection represents the dynamic nature of applied practice and directly prepares trainees for the unpredictability they may encounter. Please note, not all requests for inspections will be appropriate training opportunities, and the decision will be at the trainer’s discretion based on the information presented and the ability to respond within the timeframe requirements outlined in the code.
