Environmental Lead Program

CERTIFICATION REQUIREMENTS
FOR PERSONS ENGAGED IN LEAD-RELATED ACTIVITIES

The Texas Environmental Lead Reduction Rules (TELRR) require that all lead-based paint activities in target housing* and child-occupied facilities** be performed by certified individuals. Currently, Texas is one of about 39 states that offer certifications for persons conducting lead-based paint activities. Additionally, as a result of the joint U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)/ U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) disclosure requirement of target housing effective September 6, 1996, for target housing greater than four dwelling units, and December 6, 1996, for target housing consisting of four or fewer dwelling units, individuals and/or firms engaged in lead-based paint activities in this housing should be certified. Furthermore, if an individual or company is based outside of Texas, they must become certified by Texas to do business in Texas.

*Target housing--Any housing constructed prior to 1978, except housing for the elderly or persons with disabilities (unless any child who is six years of age or younger resides or is expected to reside in such housing) or any zero-bedroom dwelling. As defined in this section, target housing includes the terms residential dwelling, multi-family dwelling, and unit.

**Child-occupied facility--A building or part of a building constructed before 1978, including, but not limited to, a day-care center, preschool, or kindergarten classroom, that is visited regularly by the same child, six years of age or younger, at least two days in any calendar week if the visits are for at least: (A) three hours each day; and (B) 60 hours each year.

Available Certifications

Lead Inspector

Lead Risk Assessor

Lead Abatement Supervisor

Lead Abatement Project Designer

Lead Abatement Worker

Lead Firm

Lead Inspector Requirements

The Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS) issues inspector certifications to individuals who:

Successfully complete a lead inspector training course of at least 24 hours from a Texas-Accredited Training Program Provider;

AND

Successfully pass the state certification examination for lead inspectors with a score of at least 70% correct within six months of receiving a lead inspector course completion certificate.

There are no additional education or related work experience required for this certification.

Certification will be granted once a complete application and a $308 fee are received by DSHS. Certification is valid for a term of two years.

Re-certification occurs when the Lead Inspector completes a lead inspector refresher training course no sooner than 180 days prior to the certification expiration date and submits a renewal application along with a $308 fee to DSHS.

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Lead Risk Assessor

The Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS) issues risk assessor certifications to individuals who:

Successfully complete a lead inspector training course of at least 24 hours and a lead risk assessor course of at least 16 hours from a Texas-Accredited Training Program Provider;

AND

Successfully pass the state certification examination for lead risk assessors with a score of at least 70% correct within six months of receiving lead inspector and lead risk assessor course completion certificates.

Additional Requirements:

Education and/or Experience Requirements:

Applicant must submit proof of a bachelor's degree plus one year of experience in a related field (e.g. lead, asbestos, public health, or environmental remediation work or building construction trades);

OR

An associate's degree and two years of experience in a related field (e.g. lead, asbestos, public health, environmental remediation work, or building construction trades);

OR

Documentation of a high school diploma (or equivalent), plus three years of experience in a related field (e.g. lead, asbestos, public health, environmental remediation work, or building construction trades).

Documentation of a certification as an industrial hygienist, a professional engineer, a public health nurse, a professional registered sanitarian, a certified safety professional, a registered architect, or an environmental scientist.

Certification will be granted once a complete application and a $610 fee are received by DSHS. Certification is valid for a term of two years.

Re-certification occurs when the Lead Risk Assessor completes lead inspector and lead risk assessor refresher training courses no sooner than 180 days prior to the certification expiration date and submits a renewal application along with a $610 fee to DSHS.  

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Lead Abatement Supervisor

The Texas Department of State Health Services issues lead abatement supervisor certifications to individuals who:

Successfully complete a lead abatement supervisor training course of at least 32 hours from a Texas-Accredited Training Program Provider;

AND

Successfully pass the state certification examination for lead abatement supervisors with a score of at least 70% correct within six months of receiving a lead abatement supervisor course completion certificate.

Additional Requirements:

Experience Requirements:

At least one year experience as a certified lead abatement worker;

OR

At least two years experience in a related field (e.g., lead, asbestos or environmental remediation work), or in the building construction trades.

Certification will be granted once a complete application and a $308 fee are received by DSHS. Certification is valid for a term of two years.

Re-certification occurs when the Lead Abatement Supervisor completes a lead abatement supervisor refresher training course no sooner than 180 days prior to the certification expiration date and submits a renewal application along with a $308 fee to DSHS.  

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Lead Abatement Project Designer Requirements

The Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS) issues project designer certifications to individuals who:

Successfully complete a lead abatement supervisor training course of at least 32 hours and a lead abatement project designer training course of at least eight hours from a Texas-Accredited Training Program Provider.

Additional Requirements:

Education and/or Experience Requirements:

Applicant must submit documentation of a bachelor's degree in engineering, architecture, or a related profession, plus one year of experience in building construction and design or a related field;

OR

Four years of experience in building construction design or a related field.

Certification will be granted once a complete application and a $610 fee are received by DSHS. Certification is valid for a term of two years.

Re-certification occurs when the Lead Abatement Project Designer completes a lead abatement supervisor refresher training course as well as a lead abatement project designer refresher training course no sooner than 180 days prior to the certification expiration date and submits a renewal application along with a $610 fee to DSHS.

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Lead Abatement Worker

The Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS) issues worker certifications to individuals who:

Successfully complete a lead abatement worker training course of at least 16 hours from a Texas-Accredited Training Program Provider.

Certification will be granted once a complete application and a $104 fee are received by DSHS. Certification is valid for a term of two years.

Re-certification occurs when the Lead Abatement Worker completes a lead abatement worker refresher training course no sooner than 180 days prior to the certification expiration date, and submits a renewal application to DSHS, along with a $104 fee.  

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Lead Firm

Application Requirements:

Must submit to the Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS) a letter signed by the firm's owner or an authorized agent of the firm certifying that the firm will:

(1). Only employ certified employees to conduct lead-based paint activities; and

(2). Follow the standards for conducting lead-based paint activities set out in 25 TAC §295.212 relating to Standards for Conducting Lead-Based Paint Activities.

Additional Requirements:

The firm shall also submit a statement indicating whether the firm is a corporation, giving the state of incorporation and charter number; or if not a corporation, provide a list of all owners (including their titles) employed by the unincorporated firm;

AND

The firm shall also maintain records pursuant to the requirements of 25 TAC §295.212.

Certification will be granted once a complete application and a $1030 fee are received by DSHS. Certification is valid for a term of two years. Re-certification occurs when the Lead Firm submits a renewal application to DSHS along with a $1030 fee.

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Texas Department of State Health Services - Division for Regulatory Services - Environmental Lead Program
1100 W. 49th Street- Austin, Texas 78756-3199 - (512) 834-6773 ext. 2434

Last Updated March 26, 2007