Becoming an EMI

Regulations relating to qualification criteria and training of EMIs requires that all state officials who wish to become eligible for designation as an EMI, must attend a relevant training course approved by the Director-General of the Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment (DFFE).

At the moment, there are primarily 3 ‘relevant training courses’ approved by the Director General, namely:

    • A three week EMI Basic Training Contact Course presented by the National Department for Grade 1-4 EMIs at a national, provincial and local level (non-Environmental Health Practitioners);
    • An EMI Basic Training for Grade 5 EMI Field Rangers that is presented either in-house, by their employing institutions or through the appointment of external service providers, such as the South African Wildlife College; and
    • A one week EMI – Environmental Health Practitioner (EHP) Bridging Training Contact Course for registered EHPs with a peace officer qualification that is offered by several tertiary institutions (Universities of Technology) with environmental health faculties.
In addition to the National Department, National Statutory Parks Authorities, provincial environmental authorities, Parks Boards and local authorities, officials have been trained and designated in the National Department of Water and Sanitation (DWS) and Department of Mineral Resources (DMR) with the same powers and duties of EMIs, however, these officials have a very specific and focused legal mandate.