According to the Wisconsin Department of Health services report on childhood lead poisoning in Wisconsin one-quarter of the houses built in Wisconsin were constructed before 1950.
That means that if you are a contractor, renovator, housing repair or demolition firm in Wisconsin, there is a nearly fifty percent chance that you will encounter a project in a home built before 1978.
Regardless of the type of work your firm does, if you plan on getting paid to do it in a house constructed before 1978, you are going to need to be Lead-Safe certified.
Ascertain the Need for Lead Certification in Wisconsin
Certifications can be obtained on the individual or company level and are required for any contractor or worker who plans on receiving compensation for work done in a home constructed before 1978, specifically;
- Lead Hazard Abatement
- Lead Testing and Risk Assessment
- Any and all renovation that disturbs paint. (e.g., window and wall replacement, paint scraping and repainting)
What If I Am Looking to Become Certified?
Online training is not accepted or valid anywhere in the state of Wisconsin.
Ready to get your Lead Paint Certification?
When Will I Need a Lead Safety Refresher Course?
Refresher training is required once every three years for recertification and can be found at the below links.
How does the EPA Enforce the RRP Rule in Wisconsin?
Lead is a dangerous poison that affects the central and peripheral nervous system, and it was used in paint and household materials until the Lead-Based Paint Poisoning Prevention Act was passed in 1978.
Since then the EPA and the various environmental and health services agencies across the country have implemented their own certifications and regulations regarding the safe and environmentally conscious disposal of lead-based products (LBP’s)
EPA Compliance in Wisconsin
Every state is subject to the Lead Renovation, Repair, and Painting (RRP) rule. In Wisconsin, however, lead regulation and certification are administered by the Wisconsin Department of Health Services.
Looking to Become Certified in Wisconsin?
In Wisconsin, there are a total of eight lead certifications that can be earned in two specific disciplines.
Lead Renovation & Hazard Reduction
The Lead-Safe Renovator Certification certifies an individual or firm to make renovations in a home constructed before 1978.
- Initial Training: Eight hours of EPA accredited lead-safe training.
- Fees: $50
- Refresh Training: Required retraining once every four years.
- Certification Renewal: Required every two years.
The Lead Abatement Worker Certification certifies an individual or firm to conduct lead abatement under the direct supervision of an Abatement Supervisor.
- Initial Training: Eight hours of EPA accredited lead-safe training, and successful completion of an eight-hour Lead Abatement Work class.
- Fees: $75
- Refresh Training: Required retraining once every two years.
- Certification Renewal: Required every two years.
The Lead Abatement Supervisor Certification certifies an individual to supervise and conduct lead abatement and lead-safe renovation.
- Required Experience: Applicants are required to have one year of experience as a certified lead abatement worker or two years of related experience.
- Initial Training: Eight hours of EPA accredited lead-safe training, successful completion of an eight-hour Lead Abatement Work class, and successful completion of a sixteen-hour Lead Abatement Supervisor course.
- Fees: $50/exam + $125 certification fee.
- Refresh Training: Required retraining once every two years
- Certification Renewal: Required one a year for $125 or once every two years for $225.
The Project Designer Certification certifies an individual or firm to design lead hazard reduction projects, develop lead protection plans and develop lead hazard reduction reports.
- Required Experience: Bachelor’s degree or professional certification and one-year work experience in building construction, design or a related field. Or four years of experience in building construction, design, engineering, architecture or a related field.
- Initial Training: Eight hours of EPA accredited lead-safe training, successful completion of an eight-hour Lead Abatement Work class, successful completion of a sixteen-hour Lead Abatement Supervisor course, and an eight-hour Lead Project Design course
- Fees: $175
- Refresh Training: Required retraining once every two years.
- Certification Renewal: Required one a year for $125 or once every two years for $225.
Lead Investigations
The Lead Sampling Technician Certification certifies an individual to assist in lead investigations
- Initial Training: Eight-hour lead sampling course
- Fees: $50
- Refresh Training: Required retraining once every two years.
- Certification Renewal: Required every two years
The Lead Inspector Certification certifies an individual to perform lead clearance activities and conduct lead inspections.
- Initial Training: Eight-hour lead Sampling course, sixteen-hour lead inspection course, and successful passage of state Lead Inspector Exam
- Refresh Training: Required retraining once every two years.
- Certification Renewal: Required one a year for $150 or once every two years for $275.
The Lead Hazard Investigator Certification certifies an individual to conduct lead investigations, lead clearance, and blood-lead level investigations.
- Required Experience: Bachelors degree and one year of work experience lead, building and construction inspection, asbestos, and environmental remediation or an associates degree and related experience.
- Initial Training: Eight-hour lead sampling course, sixteen-hour lead hazard investigation course, successful passage of state Lead Hazard Investigator Exam
- Fees: $50/exam + $125 certification fee.
- Refresh Training: Required retraining once every two years.
- Certification Renewal: Required one a year for $150 or once every two years for $275.
The Lead Risk Assessor Certification certifies an individual to conduct all lead investigation operations including blood-lead investigations, risk assessments, lead hazard screens and all related inspections.
Applicants are also eligible for certification if they hold a professional certificate as an architect, industrial hygienist, registered nurse or sanitation engineer employed by a health department.
- Required Experience: Bachelor’s degree and one year of work experience lead, building and construction inspection, asbestos, and environmental remediation or an associate’s degree and related experience.
- Initial Training: Eight hour lead sampling course, sixteen hour lead hazard investigation course, and a sixteen hour lead investigation course.
- Fees: $50/exam + $175 certification fee.
- Refresh Training: Required retraining once every two years.
- Certification Renewal: Required one a year for $175 or once every two years for $325.
Additional Help to Understand Lead Rules in Wisconsin
Individuals looking for to obtain their Lead-Safe certifications should go to the Wisconsin DHS webpage and begin the online certification process.
More Answers Regarding EPA Lead Certification in Wisconsin
The Wisconsin Department of Health Services makes obtaining your lead certification easy.
The DHS website is comprehensive and includes literature on lead safety, lead regulation, statutes and rules and plenty of resources for lead training and how to find a lead training provider.