Training and Certification Program

You will need Adobe Reader to view some of the files on this page. See EPA's PDF page to learn more.

For Lead-Based Paint Activities in Target Housing and Child Occupied Facilities - Section 402/404

Lead-based Paint Activities Training and Certification Rule. On August 29, 1996, the Agency published a final rule for the certification and training of lead-based paint professionals (61 FR 45778). At that time, the implementation of the federal program was delayed until August 29, 1998, to allow states and Indian tribes to apply for and receive authorization to run their own EPA-approved lead-based paint programs based on the model program that EPA provided. After the federal program became effective in non-authorized states and tribes on August 29, 1998, the final rule also provided for an additional phase-in period for the requirements for training program accreditation, individual and firm certification, and work practice standards. After March 1, 1999, training programs could no longer provide, offer, or claim to provide training or refresher training for lead-based paint activities defined at section 745.223 without being accredited by EPA according to the requirements of section 745.225. The rule also stated that after August 30, 1999, no individuals or firms could perform, offer, or claim to perform lead-based paint activities as defined at section 745.223 without certification from EPA under section 745.226 to conduct those activities. (More information available on training and the certification/accreditation process.)

Federal Program Effective Date. The federal program under part 745 subpart L became effective August 31, 1998, in all non-authorized states and tribes. The accreditation requirements at section 745.225 became effective March 1, 1999, and all training providers must now be accredited by EPA to offer lead-based paint activities courses in the federal program. There were several unavoidable delays that slowed the process of approving a sufficient number of training providers to accommodate the number of individuals seeking certification prior to the August 30, 1999, date. Therefore, on August 6, 1999, EPA published an Amendment to the Final Rule to extend the effective dates for certification of individuals and firms and use of work practice standards to March 1, 2000. The federal program under part 745 subpart L became fully effective on March 1, 2000.

Proposed Fee Rule. On August 21, 2008, EPA issued a proposed rule to modify and lower the existing fees for various EPA accredidations and certifications under the Agency's Lead-based Paint Activities regulations. The proposed rule would establish fees charged for training programs seeking accreditation, for firms engaged in renovations seeking certification, and for individuals (for example, risk assessors) or firms engaged in lead-based paint activities seeking certification. The proposed rule would apply only in those states and tribes without their own authorized lead programs. The proposed rule would also establish fees for the new Lead Renovation, Repair and Painting rule. The fees are required under section 402 of the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA) to recover the cost of administering and enforcing the law's requirements. Read EPA's fact sheet on the proposed rule.

The proposal would slightly lower existing fees -- a significant reduction considering the 35 to 40 percent increase in government labor costs since the original fees were set in 1999.

The Agency published the original fee rule in June 1999 (64 FR 31092) establishing a fee schedule for training programs seeking accreditation and individuals and firms seeking certification from the EPA-run federal program under the rules published in 1996 (64 FR 31092).

EPA will accept public comment on its fee proposal until September 22, 2008.

Notification Rule. On April 8, 2004, the Agency published a final rule that established procedures to notify the Agency: 1) prior to commencement of lead-based paint abatement activities, 2) prior to providing lead-based paint activities training courses, and 3) following completion of lead-based paint activities training courses. These requirements support the effort of 40 CFR part 745 subpart L to ensure that lead abatement professionals are trained and certified. The final notification rule was effective on May 10, 2004.

For more information on the federal training and certification program for lead professionals explore the items below:

Contact the National Lead Information Center (NLIC) at 1-800-424-LEAD to speak with an information specialist.

Final Rules and Policy in Effect

Final Rule: Lead; Notification Requirements for Lead-based Paint Abatement Activities and Training - 4/8/2004 (PDF) (8 pp, 78K)

Sample Notification Forms in Fillable PDF format -- These forms are fillable and can be completed at your computer, or printed to be completed by hand. Once the form is finished sign the completed copy and send it to EPA following the instructions in the Fact Sheet below. Abatement (PDF) (1 pg, 546K), Pre-Training (PDF) (1 pg, 164K), Post-Training (PDF) (1 pg, 337K)
Fact Sheet - Final Rule Establishing Notification Requirements for Lead-Based Paint Abatement Activities and Training (PDF) (2 pp, 18K)

Amendment to Final Rule: Lead; Requirements for Lead-Based Paint Activities in Target Housing and Child-Occupied Facilities; Certification Requirement and Work Practice Standards for Individuals and Firms (8/6/99)

Final Rule: Lead; Fees for Accreditation of Training Programs and Certification of Lead-based Paint Activities Contractors (6/9/99)