EPA Lead Renovator Certification Initial Online Course

Course Objectives

1. To protect workers, residents, and particularly children, from possible lead exposure.
2. To gain a clear understanding of how vital minimizing and controlling lead particle and lead dust generation is when performing renovation, remodeling, painting, rehabilitation, and maintenance functions.
3. To obtain knowledge of tools, systems, and techniques required to control lead dust accumulation on worksites.
4. To have a comprehensive understanding of the EPA rules and regulations regarding the disruption of lead-based paint during renovation, remodeling, and rehabilitation.

Course Benefits

• Complete online training at your own pace — start and stop training presentations at your leisure.
• The majority of the initial renovator course is completed online, with minimal testing and training finished at in-person locations. 
• Choose from multiple testing sites to complete the hands-on section of training.
• The online training course provides an EPA certification that is valid for five years.

EPA Lead Renovator Certification Initial Online Course Overview

Online Course Length: Approximately 6 hours
Course Content: 8 modules taken directly from the training manual

Module 1: Why Should I Be Concerned About Lead Paint?

Overview:

• What is lead-based paint?
• What health risks and health effects are related to lead exposure?
• Why is lead-contaminated dust a problem?

Module 2: Regulations

Overview:

• U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA):
  • Established and accredited training and certification programs for workers, supervisors, inspectors, and risk assessors who may conduct evaluations or abatement of lead-based paint.
  • Established requirements for pre-renovation education.
  • Promulgated the Renovation, Repair, and Painting Program Final Rule (RRP Rule).
• U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD):
  • Established actions in federally-assisted target housing.
  • Established federal grant programs.
  • Established guidelines for lead-based paint evaluation and control; established the Lead Safe Housing Rule.
• U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA):
  • Established worker protection standards.

Module 3: Before Beginning Work

Overview – This module teaches you:

• To educate owners and residents.
• That the use of lead-based paint was widespread.
• To determine if lead-based paint is not present.
• To use EPA-recognized test kits to check for lead-based paint.
• Learn methods for collecting paint chip samples for laboratory lead analysis.
• How to decide which rule(s) apply.

Module 4: Contain Dust During Work

Overview:

• What is containment?
• Containing dust for interior activities
• Containing dust for exterior activities

Module 5: During the Work

Overview:

• Traditional renovations create airborne dust.
• Prohibited practices
• Protect yourself and make a personal protective equipment toolkit
• Control the spread of dust

Module 6: Cleaning Activities and Checking Your Work

Overview:

• What is effective cleanup?
• Interior cleaning techniques
• Exterior cleaning techniques
• How to check your work
• Cleaning verification procedure
• Clearance testing
• Safe disposal practices

Module 7: Recordkeeping

Overview:

• In this section, you will learn about the records required for each job.
• Records must be retained and made available to EPA, upon request, for three years following completion of a renovation.

Module 8: Training Non-Certified Renovation Workers

• Certified Renovators are responsible for teaching lead-safe work practices to non-certified renovation workers.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who must be Lead-Safe Certified?

All firms that conduct lead renovation, repair and painting activities must be lead certified by the EPA under the lead RRP Rule. This includes any firm that receives compensation to conduct work that disturbs lead paint in pre-1978 residential properties and child-occupied facilities (e.g. daycares, elementary schools, pre-schools). This may include residential property owners and managers, maintenance staff, contractors, renovators, remodelers, carpenters painters, plumbers, electricians, roofers, siders and window installers.

Where is lead paint found and why does it matter?

It is estimated that lead paint was used in more than 38 million residential properties built prior 1978. Lead paint can form toxic dust when it is disturbed during normal home repair activity. The EPA Lead RRP Rule is an effort to protect the public from lead poisoning, especially children under the age of six, associated with renovation, repair and painting activities. These types of activities can create hazardous lead dust when surfaces with lead paint and coated surfaces are disturbed. The RRP Rule requires workers to receive lead certification training to become lead certified renovators.

What are the EPA certification requirements?

Contractors are required to assign at least one lead certified renovator to each lead renovation project. Lead renovators are certified upon completion of an EPA accredited renovator lead training course. The initial EPA lead certification training is 8 hours in length, and the lead certification is good for 5 years from the date of lead certification course completion. State authorized lead certification programs may vary. To maintain their lead certification a certified renovator must complete a refresher lead certification training course prior to the expiration of their current lead certification. Note: The 4 hour refresher lead certification training course or the 8 hour initial lead certification training course can be used to recertify. If their lead certification expires, then the 8 hour lead certification training course must be taken again to regain their lead certification.

Do I have to take a Lead Renovator Certification Initial Course if I am a Lead Abatement Worker or Lead Abatement Supervisor?

Yes, if you are doing work that is covered under the EPA’s Renovation, Repair and Painting (RRP) Rule. However, individuals who have successfully completed an accredited abatement worker or supervisor course may take an accredited lead renovator certification refresher training course in lieu of the lead renovator certification initial training course to become a certified renovator.

How can a firm comply with the Renovation, Repair, and Painting Program?

A firm that would like to become lead certified to perform lead renovation, repair and painting activity must submit an application to the EPA. In addition, the firm must attest that it will assign at least one lead certified renovator to each project who has been lead trained by attending an EPA-approved lead certification class, use only individuals who are either lead certified or have received appropriate lead training to perform lead renovation, and follow all lead RRP Rule requirements.

Does my state have specific Renovation, Repair, and Painting Program requirements?

Click on your state to find out specific lead renovator information.

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