The Act is enacted to build a public health professional service system, clarify the rights and obligations of public health specialists, improve public health specialty and development, and to promote public’s health.

“Competent authority” referred to in this Act is the Ministry of Health and Welfare at the central level, the municipal governments at municipal level and county (city) governments at county (city) level.

Any national of the Republic of China who has passed the examination for public health specialists and received a public health specialist certificate in accordance with this Act may serve as a public health specialist.

Any person meeting the following qualifications is eligible to participate in a public health specialist examination:
1. Graduate with the diploma from a public health department, school, college or program in a public or registered private university, independent college or overseas university or independent college recognized by the Ministry of Education.
2. Graduate with the diploma from a medical or public health related department, school, college or program in a public or registered private university, independent college or overseas university or independent college recognized by the Ministry of Education and having acquired at least 18 credits with public health, thereby, supporting documents are required.
3. Graduate with the diploma from a medical or public health related department, school, college or program in a public or registered private university, independent college or overseas university or independent college recognized by the Ministry of Education and having performed in public health related work for at least 3 years, thereby, supporting documents are required.
The scope and duration of the “public health credit” referred to in subparagraph 2, the “medical or public health related department, school, college or program” referred to in subparagraph 3 and the “public health related work” referred to in subparagraph 3 of the previous paragraph shall be determined by the central competent authority.

Should any of the following occur, such involved person shall not qualify to serve as a public health specialist. If such person already has served as a public health specialist, thereupon, his/her public health specialist certificate shall be immediately cancelled or revoked.
1. Prior cancellation or revocation of public health specialist certificate.
2. A final judgment to imprisonment for one year or more without probation due to criminal offense in relation to performance of his/her occupation.

No one is entitled to use the name of a public health specialist unless he/she has received a public health specialist certificate.

Any person who seeks to receive a public health specialist certificate shall complete an application form and submit qualification documents to the central competent authority for issuance.