Lead Professionals
EPA requires individuals conducting lead-based paint activities (abatement, inspection, and risk assessment) in target housing and child-occupied facilities to be trained and certified. The trainers are accredited to ensure quality, and certified individuals must follow specific work practices ensuring that lead hazards are addressed.
This page has the following information:
- What is lead-based paint abatement?
- What is the purpose of the lead-based paint activities regulation?
- What activities are covered?
- Where do these regulations apply?
- How does an individual or firm apply for certification?
- How do I find an accredited training program?
- How does a training program apply for accreditation?
- How do you notify EPA of abatement and training activities?
- Where can I get more information?
Professionals and consumers, also read information on EPA's lead renovation, repair and painting program.
What is lead-based paint abatement?
Abatement means any measure or set of measures designed to permanently eliminate lead-based paint hazards. Abatement includes, but is not limited to:
- The removal of lead-based paint and lead-contaminated dust, the permanent enclosure or encapsulation of lead-based paint, the replacement of lead-painted surfaces or fixtures, and the removal or covering of lead contaminated soil; and
- All preparation, cleanup, disposal, and post-abatement clearance testing activities associated with such measures.
- Specifically, abatement includes, but is not limited to:
- Projects for which there is a written contract or other documentation, which provides that an individual or firm will be conducting activities in or to a residential dwelling or child-occupied facility that:
- Shall result in the permanent elimination of lead-based paint hazards; or
- Are designed to permanently eliminate lead-based paint hazards and are described in paragraphs (1) and (2) of this definition.
- Projects resulting in the permanent elimination of lead-based paint hazards, conducted by firms or individuals certified in accordance with § 745.226, unless such projects are covered by paragraph (4) of this definition;
- Projects resulting in the permanent elimination of lead-based paint hazards, conducted by firms or individuals who, through their company name or promotional literature, represent, advertise, or hold themselves out to be in the business of performing lead-based paint activities as identified and defined by this section, unless such projects are covered by paragraph (4) of this definition; or
- Projects resulting in the permanent elimination of lead-based paint hazards, that are conducted in response to State or local abatement orders.
- Abatement does not include renovation, remodeling, landscaping or other activities, when such activities are not designed to permanently eliminate lead-based paint hazards, but, instead are designed to repair, restore or remodel a given structure or dwelling, even though these activities may incidentally result in a reduction or elimination of lead-based paint hazards. Furthermore, abatement does not include interim controls, operations and maintenance activities, or other measures and activities designed to temporarily, but not permanently, reduce lead-based paint hazards.
What is the purpose of EPA's lead-based paint activities regulation?
These regulations protect the public from hazards of improperly conducted lead-based paint activities. They contain several elements, including:
- Training and certification requirements to ensure the proficiency of contractors who offer to conduct lead-based paint inspection, risk assessment and abatement services in residences and day care centers
- Accreditation requirements to ensure that training programs provide quality instruction in current and effective work practices
- Work practice standards to ensure that lead-based paint activities are conducted safely, reliably and effectively
What activities are covered?
These regulations apply to lead-based paint activities in target housing and child-occupied facilities. Lead-based paint activities include inspection, risk assessment, and abatement.
- Abatement means ...
- Inspection means a surface-by-surface investigation to determine the presence of lead-based paint and the provision of a report explaining the results of the investigation.
- Risk assessment means (1) an on-site investigation to determine the existence, nature, severity, and location of lead-based paint hazards, and (2) the provision of a report by the individual or the firm conducting the risk assessment, explaining the results of the investigation and options for reducing lead-based paint hazards.
Where do these regulations apply?
The program applies only in those States, Territories and Indian Tribes that are not authorized by EPA to operate their own lead program. On the map below EPA operates the lead program in areas shown in white; the shaded areas represent authorized programs. Where available, links are provided to individual authorized programs. For additional assistance contact the National Lead Information Center (NLIC) at 1-800-424-LEAD (5323).
Note: Links provided below exit the EPA Web site.
Authorized Programs
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[Alabama] |
[Louisiana] |
[Ohio] [Oklahoma] [Oregon] [Pennsylvania] [Rhode Island] [Tennessee] [Texas] [Utah] [Vermont] [Virginia] [ Washington] [West Virginia] [Wisconsin] |
[
District of Columbia]
[Cherokee Nation] |
How does an individual or firm apply for certification?
You will need the free Adobe Reader to view some of the files on this page. See EPA's PDF page to learn more.
Firms can submit their applications and payment on-line or by mail. |
Apply Online - To submit an application online
simply register on the Agency's CDX
system (http://cdx.epa.gov) and follow instructions to apply on-line.
Apply by mail - Application and Instructions
for Firms Applying to Conduct Lead-Based Paint Activities (PDF)
(9 pp, 930K)
|
Individuals must submit their application and payment by mail. | Apply by mail - Application and Instructions for Individuals to Conduct Lead-Based Paint Activities (PDF) (14 pp, 1.2MB). |
Note: For your convenience the application forms are fillable. Once complete you just need to print, sign and mail the form to EPA. If you have questions while you are preparing the application form, you can contact the National Lead Information Center at 1-800-424-LEAD.
How do I find an accredited training program?
Use this searchable database to help locate accredited training programs in Federally administered States and Tribes.
How does a training program apply for accreditation?
Trainers must submit their application and payment by mail. | Apply by mail - Accreditation Application and Instructions for Training Programs to Conduct Lead-Based Activity Training (PDF) (11 pp, 832 K) |
Note: For your convenience the application forms are fillable. Once complete you just need to print, sign and mail the form to EPA. If you have questions while you are preparing the application form, you can contact the National Lead Information Center at 1-800-424-LEAD.
Where can I get more information?
- EPA has announced new requirements to protect children from lead-based paint hazards in pre-1978 housing or child-occupied facilities being renovated or remodeled. Read more information on the lead rule.
- For general information contact the National Lead Information Center (NLIC) at 1-800-424-LEAD.