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Steps to Become Lead Paint Certified in EPA States

How To Become an EPA Certified Lead-Based Paint Professional

Understand the requirements for getting EPA Lead Certified for each lead-based paint discipline below.

What type of work will you be performing?

The lead certificate you need depends on the type of work you want to perform. If you’re performing renovations, paint jobs, or installations on a pre-1978 home, visit our Lead Renovator RRP Certification page. Otherwise read below for the requirements to perform lead-based paint abatement or evaluations.

Not sure if you need the Renovator or Abatement certification? View our comparison of RRP work vs. abatement.


The information below outlines the EPA’s certification requirements for performing Lead Removal or Evaluation work in states administered by the EPA, which include:
Alaska, Arizona, Florida, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, New Mexico, New York, South Carolina, South Dakota, and Wyoming.

If you work in another state outside of this list, please visit LeadCertification.org to learn more about your state licensing requirements!


Certification Timeline

For all disciplines, after attending the corresponding EPA initial training course you may begin to work immediately under your course certificate for up to six months following the training. During those six months, you must complete the application process, including passing the 3rd party exam for Supervisor, Inspector, or Risk Assessor, or else your training certificate will expire.

Also note that all lead paint abatement and evaluation activities must be performed under a company that is registered with EPA (Learn More) - this applies for sole proprietors as well.

Lead Abatement Supervisor

Who’s it for?
Those who wish to supervise lead hazard removal projects, perform abatement work, and prepare occupant protection plans and abatement reports.

Steps for Certification:
  1. Check the Prerequisites to make sure you’ll meet one of the following requirements:
    1. One year of experience as a certified lead-based paint abatement worker, OR
    2. Two years of experience in a related field.
  2. Attend the Lead Abatement Supervisor Initial training. If you are already certified and need to renew, attend a Lead Abatement Supervisor Refresher course.
  3. Apply for a Lead Abatement Supervisor License online. You will need to submit the following information, along with a $410 fee:
    1. PDF copy of your course completion certificate.
    2. Passport photograph (JPG format preferred).
    3. Credit card, debit card, or information needed to complete an ACH payment of the applicable fee.
    4. PDF copies of evidence that you meet all of the education, experience, and training requirements for the discipline (e.g., academic transcripts, resume, and training course completion certificates).
  4. Take the 3rd party certification exam. After receiving your completed application, the EPA will send you a letter with instructions for taking the exam ($70 per attempt)
  5. Remember: If you also have your own company or work for yourself, you’ll need to additionally submit a Firm Application online with a $550 fee.

Lead Abatement Workers

Who’s it for?
Those who want to conduct lead abatement activities under the direction of certified abatement supervisors.

Steps for Certification:
  1. Aside from the training requirements, there are no prerequisites for this certification.
  2. Attend the Lead Abatement Worker Initial training. If you are already certified and need to renew, attend a Lead Abatement Worker Refresher course.
  3. Apply for a Lead Abatement Worker License online and pay a $280 fee. The EPA will begin processing your application as soon as it is complete. You will also need to submit the following:
    1. PDF copy of your course completion certificate.
    2. Passport photograph (JPG format preferred).
    3. Credit card, debit card, or information needed to complete an ACH payment of the applicable fee.
    4. PDF copies of evidence that you meet all of the education, experience, and training requirements for the discipline (e.g., academic transcripts, resume, and training course completion certificates).

Lead Inspectors

Who’s it for?
Those who want to perform inspection and post-abatement clearance activities.

Steps for Certification:
  1. Aside from the training requirements, there are no prerequisites for this certification.
  2. Attend the Lead Inspector Initial training. If you were already certified and need to renew, attend a Lead Inspector Refresher course.
  3. Apply for a Lead Inspector License online and submit the following information with the $410 fee:
    1. PDF copy of your course completion certificate.
    2. Passport photograph (JPG format preferred).
    3. Credit card, debit card, or information needed to complete an ACH payment of the applicable fee.
    4. PDF copies of evidence that you meet all of the education, experience, and training requirements for the discipline (e.g., academic transcripts, resume, and training course completion certificates).
  4. Once your application is received, the EPA will send you instructions on taking the required 3rd party certification exam ($70 per attempt)
  5. Remember: If you also have your own company or work for yourself, you’ll need to additionally submit a Firm Application online with a $550 fee.

Lead Risk Assessors

Who’s it for?
Those who want to perform inspection, post-abatement clearance, lead hazard screen, and risk assessment activities.

Steps for Certification:
  1. Check the Prerequisites to make sure you’ll meet one of the following requirements:
    1. Bachelor's degree and one year of experience in a related field;
    2. Associate’s degree and two years of experience in a related field;
    3. A high school diploma (or equivalent), and at least three years of experience in a related field; OR
    4. Certification as an industrial hygienist, professional engineer, registered architect and/or certification in a related engineering/health/environmental field.
  2. Attend Lead Inspector Initial and Lead Risk Assessor Initial training.In some states this may be a combined course.If you are already certified and need to renew, attend a Lead Risk Assessor Refresher course.
  3. Apply for a Lead Risk Assessor License online and submit the following information with a $410 registration fee:
    1. PDF copy of your course completion certificate.
    2. Passport photograph (JPG format preferred).
    3. Credit card, debit card, or information needed to complete an ACH payment of the applicable fee.
    4. PDF copies of evidence that you meet all of the education, experience, and training requirements for the discipline (e.g., academic transcripts, resume, and training course completion certificates).
  4. Once the EPA receives your application, they will send you a letter with instructions for taking the required 3rd party exam ($70 per attempt).
  5. Remember: If you also have your own company or work for yourself, you’ll need to additionally submit a Firm Application online with a $550 fee.

Lead Project Designers

Who’s it for?
Those who want to prepare occupant protection plans and abatement reports for abatement projects.

Steps for Certification:
  1. Check the Prerequisites to make sure you’ll meet one of the following requirements:
    1. Bachelor's degree in engineering, architecture, or a related profession, and one year of experience in building construction and design or a related field; OR
    2. Four years of experience in building construction and design or a related field.
  2. Attend the Lead Project Designer Initial training. If you are already certified and need to renew, attend a Lead Project Designer Refresher course.
  3. Apply for a Lead Project Designer License online and pay a $470 fee. The EPA will begin processing your application as soon as it is submitted in full. You will need to include the following:
    1. PDF copy of your course completion certificate.
    2. Passport photograph (JPG format preferred).
    3. Credit card, debit card, or information needed to complete an ACH payment of the applicable fee.
    4. PDF copies of evidence that you meet all of the education, experience, and training requirements for the discipline (e.g., academic transcripts, resume, and training course completion certificates).
  4. Remember: If you also have your own company or work for yourself, you’ll need to additionally submit a Firm Application online with a $550 fee.
Have additional questions on receiving a lead paint license from an EPA State? Give us a call at 646-564-3546 and we'll be happy to assist you.

Disclaimer
Please note that these details are provided for informational purposes only. Consult with your local state or regulatory body to confirm your requirements for your specific situation. Nothing on this website constitutes, or is meant to constitute, advice of any kind. It is simply a database of publicly available information that is meant to assist with research on certain topics but is no way guaranteed as complete or free of error.
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