If anyone’s signing up for Bowen’s CIH class that starts in January 2022 and want to purchase together for the group discount, please message me! Thanks Rachel for the tips!!
Hi everyone! I thought this video would be helpful for anyone considering the CIH exam. I know the advice I got from others really helped me to find good study materials. Just a note for the comments below - it's great to share tips, but remember not to disclose the actual contents of the exam as per ABIH rules.
Your statement about the lack of industrial (or occupational) hygienists is unfortunately so true. I hope your video can promote others with the qualifications to pursue the vocation. They are so needed in industry!
Yes! It's worth doing! I avoided learning about ventilation for a long time because I didn't find it as interesting as some of the other topics but I eventually had no choice but to learn.
I’m so happy we have people like you who take their time to make videos like these. I’m just entering my Masters in OEH and there’s so little first hand info from other people who’ve gone through it 😂😢
Thank you so much for making this video! I was scheduled to sit for the exam in May but some work travel came up and I realized I wasn't really ready but I kinda wish I still had experienced the exam. 🥴 I'm planning to take the exam in the fall and I'm feeling overwhelmed by how much there is to know. Your video instills some hope in me because you passed the exam recently.
Yeah, I get it! I think overwhelm is very normal. Start with a focus on a good, general understanding of each subject, taking them one-by-one. Practice tests really show you where you need to put in more effort. Just remember, you've got time! Use it well and try to make it enjoyable if you can! Let us know how you do.
Hi Ally. I noticed no one has commented for the last few months. BGS has indicated that you can no longer bring your own calculators into the exam! They have a calculator programmed into the exam. This is their comment on their website: "Instructions on the use and location of the calculator icon are included in the pre-test instructions". Can you believe that?!? Beside trying to pass one of the hardest tests on limited time, everyone will have to learn how to use this calculator on the day of the test! I test in April and am really livid. My only hope is everyone's test score will plummet equally :(
I am prepping for the spring 2024 exam as well (I am still waiting for the exam window to open). The calculator piece is terrifying! It's going to slow us down and increase the chances of making a calculation error.
Thanks! I hope to take the exam this October/Nov but 1) am having trouble getting an answer from my employer on funding and 2) missed the Bowen EHS course. I have a general background in safety and IH with 4 years and an IH. I’m going to see if there are any other prep courses and appreciate the advice on passing the test.
Best of luck to you! It's a bummer you missed the Bowen but if you get a good test prep software and really take a lot of practice tests, you'll probably be fine. Also, that little brown book I mention in the video is way overpriced but when I consider it really helped me pass, I think it was worth it. If you're struggling, consider getting it because it's really good at summarizing.
I am interested in the exam, but I have been putting it off for awhile. I have 5.5 years of experience as an industrial hygienist, but dont have a lot of time between having a 2 year old and as busy work schedule.
Thank you for the video, you have given me confidence. I am currently studying using datachem. The science, math, ventilation, noise, and radiation are easy for me. I am a chemist and concepts are very similar to my chemistry background. However, toxicology, ethics, and the parts that requires memorization are extremely difficult for me.
@@amrabousamra there were some questions regarding toxicology, I didn't do too well on those. I did really good on ventilation and science. I believe those two topics brought me across the line.
So I've been making flash cards from the one liners in the IH Reference Study Guide by Alan Fleeger! I've mostly been focusing on Toxicology. What should my top five be? Ventilation, Toxicology and ???
For the next one, I’d personally focus on IH methods for sampling and analysis but pay attention to areas where you’re scoring low on the practice tests and then focus in on those.
@@AllySafety You're the best Ally 😊 I've been through all of the Bowen Vault questions and I'm scoring around 70% but I haven't zeroed in on what I'm scoring low on just yet.
Good to know! I think you could probably do either one since new editions are usually very similar but with a few updates. If it were me, I’d probably go with whichever is most cost-effective. Check the list of updates on the new one first in case there’s something that’s important to you that will justify the new edition price.
Wonderful Video! I am struggling. Do I delegate the time in preparation and study, to test for my CIH or take my ASP and CSP and stop? I have a B. Sc double major in Biology & chemistry and a Master in Biochem. I also worked to attain my PE degree, which I chose not to update my dues to attain as my profession since my calling is more in the EHS & ESG career path in Oil and Gas. I have received My CSHO's from Texas A&M (TEEX) in GI-1910 and Const-1926. And have almost 20 years of educating classes for others to achieve a CSHO (Certified Safety and Heath Official). (IH, 1910 Reg class, Haz Com, CS, Investigation, Recordkeeping, Elect, etc.. and recently appointed Texas H2S Subject Matter Expert) Will having a CIH benefit as much as taking the ASP & CSP?
Hey! It’s a good question! CIH’s are definitely rarer and having the CSP/CIH combination can really set you apart. That being said, the CIH is a massive time commitment compared to the CSP. I’m putting our a video on my experience taking the CIH on January 24th so maybe check that out for an idea of what it was like for me. I think ultimately it’ll come down to your long-term career goals. You can research earning potential with the CIH by using the BCSP’s salary survey. It sounds like you have a great background for applying. I’d be curious though, do you want the CIH? Would you like to do more CIH work? Would that be a career achievement that’s worth the work to you? These are questions to be clear on the answer before you start with the CIH because it’s much more of a commitment than the CSP.
I am still contemplating on either writing the iCertOH or the CIH. I am strapped off cash now, and need to complete one of these to be able to help me land a job. Any suggestion on which one is better.
Hi Ally, I'm thinking of starting my course in July (it ends in Sept.). Would you recommend me taking the exam soon after the course is over, or should I wait and study more? Also, I'm rather new to this industry and I am considering going back to school to get a degree in EH & S, would you say that would help?
Hi Tony! Are you starting you CIH prep course in July? If so, I think it would be good timing to take the test in late October or November so you have a few more months to study afterward. As for the degree, it depends on what you want to do in the long term as well as what your previous was in. If you have longer-term career goals it can help to determine what the right course of action would be.
Hi Ally, I have a question and hope you can reply How can I calculate my academic contact hours which is related to IH? I have a B.Sc. in geology and chemistry and studied courses like organic and inorganic chemistry, as well as some geology course, how can I know the gap between my academic hours and required CIH hours?
Hi, did you download the CIH coursebook from ABIH? they have some helpful hints in there. Also, once you are in the system and applying, it helps to walk you through calculating. This can be done before you pay to apply too so it's free.
@@AllySafety I didn't release the system helped you?! I've been racking my brain tallying up all of my courses and the giant stack of certifications I've gotten over the years.
@@AllySafety My CIH journey started by this comment, I didn't even know that you are "Rachel" not "Ally" lol Today, I'm a CIH 😎 Thanks Rachel, I watched this video more than reading the TLV/BEI ACGIH 🤣
Hey how long did it take to get an email back from the ABIH giving you your final results? I hear it can be about 2 weeks, then mailed official results come in 4 weeks. Thanks!
@@timkenny15 I know the feeling! I was impatient to get the results but I don't know of anyone yet who has got a preliminary pass with different results in the mail so take comfort in that!
If any commenters have experience with AIHA let us know! I haven't tried that one. Bowen EHS is a solid choice but we'll need others to weigh in so we can compare.
Hi not sure if you've already started your prep course but I completed the Bowen last summer and quite a few classmates let us know that they had passed the CIH. I am still using the material from the class to continue studying. I have heard good things about AIHA as well but unfortunately I don't have any additional information. good luck!
