What are the state law qualifications for a county health director?
A county health director must meet minimum education and experience requirements prescribed in law.[1] In most cases, he or she must have one of the following:
- A medical doctorate
- A master’s degree in public health administration plus at least one year of employment in health programs or services
- A master’s degree in another public health discipline plus at least three years of employment in health programs or health services
- A master’s degree in public administration plus at least two years of experience in health programs or health services
- A master’s degree in a field related to public health plus at least three years of experience in health programs or health services[2]
- A bachelor’s degree in public health administration or public administration plus at least three years of experience in health programs or health services
There is also a law that creates a limited pilot program (one county only) to allow a person with education and experience in public health nursing to serve as a local health director, as long as the appointment is approved by the NC Secretary of Health and Human Services.[3] In fiscal year 2011-2012, Northampton County’s health director was serving pursuant to this law.
[1]G.S. 130-40.
[2]The State Health Director must review requests by educational institutions to determine whether a master’s degree offered by the institution is related to public health for purposes of this law.
[3]G.S. 130A-40.1. This law requires the health director in the pilot county to either: (1) have a bachelor of science in nursing degree from a program that includes a public health nursing rotation, plus ten years’ public health experience, at least five of which were in a supervisory capacity at the agency at which the person is a candidate for local health director; or (2) be a registered nurse without a bachelor’s degree but with at least ten years’ experience, including at least seven years in an administrative or supervisory role and at least five years at the agency at which the person is a candidate for local health director.
