09-29-2026 - Lead Renovator Certification Initial - Chicago, IL

This Lead Renovator RRP Initial Certification course is 8 hours in length and includes approved lead safety training and the required certification exam.

This RRP training is conducted in English. To view training options in Spanish, please click here.

Any contractor performing qualifying renovation, repair, or painting (RRP) work on pre-1978 homes or child-occupied facilities must employ at least one Certified Renovator who has successfully completed this training.

Companies must also submit an application to register as a Lead Safe Certified Firm with the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) or the EPA-Authorized State in which RRP work will be performed.

This course is approved for purposes of certification under Section 402 of TSCA and/or EPA-Authorized State lead regulations for Lead-safe Renovation, Repair, and Painting (RRP) work.

Need an earlier RRP training date or more location options? Click Here to view our full schedule and all available locations. Unless you work in Alabama, Georgia, or Oklahoma, you can take the RRP class in any state to satisfy your individual 8-hour training requirement. Please note that if you do attend a course at a location outside of the state where you will be performing RRP work, additional reciprocity paperwork may be required by the state lead program to finalize your certification.

More about the RRP Training and Lead Paint Regulations

Effective April 22, 2010, anyone who performs renovations, repairs, or painting in pre-1978 housing or child-occupied facilities must comply with the Lead RRP Rule. Individuals and firms that are not certified could face fines of up to $49,722 per violation per day

When does the Lead-Safe RRP rule apply?

How Do I Get RRP Lead-safe Certified?

1. Register and successfully complete this 8-hour lead renovator certification course.
2. Submit an application to EPA or EPA-Authorized state on behalf of your company (even if you're a sole proprietor). See below for details.
3. Receive your certificate from class and your firm certificate, finalize any additional paperwork required by your state, and you are ready to get to work!

This course is provided by an accredited trainer who is approved by the EPA and/or EPA-Authorized lead program in compliance with all regulations in the state in which the course is being held.  It will satisfy the 8-hour training requirement for individuals to attain certification in Lead Paint Safety for Renovation, Repair and Painting (RRP). Individuals who attend the course, participate fully in the hands-on activities, and pass the certification exam will receive a Certified Renovator certificate.

Firm Certification

Firms, including sole-proprietors, landlords, etc. must submit an application stating that they will be utilizing a Certified Renovator to perform lead-safe work. Your training provider will discuss all registration requirements during class, and will provide the necessary forms when applicable.

To perform RRP work in an EPA-Authorized State (AL, DE, GA, IA, KS, MA, MS, NC, OK, OR, RI, UT, VT, WA or WI): Firm registration must be processed directly with the applicable state lead program(s). 

To work in all other states: Firm registration must be processed with the EPA via an online application. The EPA Lead-Safe Firm fee is $300, and it is valid for 5 years. 

Lead Renovator Frequent Questions: 

I need to get my EPA lead renovator certification. What exactly do I need to do? To become a certified lead renovator, complete an 8-hour State or EPA-accredited initial course and register your firm with the EPA or Authorized State, depending on where you'll be working. Zack Academy's lead renovator certification initial training covers all required curriculum topics, and upon completion students receive their renovator certificate, enabling them to perform renovation, repair, or painting work on pre-1978 properties.

Is there a hands-on component in the lead renovator initial certification course? Yes. The EPA requires that initial lead renovator training include a hands-on component demonstrating lead testing methods, lead-safe containment, work practices, and cleaning verification procedures. Zack Academy's lead renovator certification initial course includes instructor-supervised practical exercises that prepare students to apply lead-safe methods correctly on actual renovation job sites.

Should landlords and property managers take an initial lead renovator certification course? Landlords or property managers who supervise or perform renovation work in pre-1978 rental housing should hold the lead renovator certification. Zack Academy's lead renovator initial course helps property owners understand the RRP rule obligations, lead-safe cleanup standards, and documentation requirements, reducing the legal and health risks associated with lead-based paint disturbance.

Can I take the EPA lead renovator initial certification course on a weekend? Zack Academy offers flexible scheduling for the lead renovator certification initial course, including options that fit around busy contractor work schedules. Renovation professionals across the country choose Zack Academy's lead renovator training because courses are available in formats that minimize disruption to ongoing project commitments.