Tips for Checking a Contractor's
Background & Experience
D Always ask to see a contractor's lead-based paint
license or certificate.
D If they are not certified, ask to see a contractor's
training certificate. EPA has developed training
courses for lead-based paint professionals. Ask if the
training received by a contractor was based on EPA
course materials.
LJ Check the references of the last three lead
inspections or risk assessments performed by the
contractor.
LJ Ask what kinds of information will be included in the
final inspection or risk assessment report that will be
prepared for you. An inspection report should
identify the lead content of the painted surfaces in
your home. A risk assessment will provide you with
information about the lead content of deteriorated
painted surfaces, and also should tell you whether
lead is present in dust and soil around your home. It
should also present options for reducing the hazard.
To obtain information on how a lead inspection
or risk assessment is conducted or a list of
states with lead certification or licensing
programs, contact:
the National Lead Information Center
at1-800-424-LEAD
For the hearing impaired, call, TDD 1-800-
526-5456. (FAX: 202-659-1192, Internet:
EHC@NSC.ORG).
r/EPA
\y
EPA-747-F-96-006
November, 1996
United States
Environmental Protection
Agency
Prevention, Pesticides
and Toxic Substances
(7404)
You may also contact the EPA regional office
closest to your area for additional information on
state contractor certification & licensing programs:
Region 1
Boston, MA
(617)565-3420
Region 4
Atlanta, GA
(404)562-8998
Region 7
Kansas City, KS
(913)551-7518
Region 2
Edison, NJ
(908)321-6671
Region 5
Chicago, IL
(312)886-7836
Region 8
Denver, CO
(303)312-6021
Region 10
Seattle, WA
(206)553-1985
Region 3
Philadelphia, PA
(215)566-2084
Region 6
Dallas, TX
(214)665-7577
Region 9
San Francisco, CA
(415)744-1117
Finding a
Qualified Lead
Professional for
Your Home
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Hiring a Lead Professional
The purpose of this pamphlet is to help you find a lead
professional who can test your home for lead-based paint
and tell you whether the paint poses a hazard to you or your
family. It also will provide you with some background on the
qualifications to look for in a lead professional.
Over 80% of all housing in the U.S. built before 1978
contains some lead-based paint on the interior or exterior. If
managed properly, lead-based paint that is in good condition
is usually not a hazard. If allowed to deteriorate, however,
lead from the paint or lead dust can create serious health
hazards. Similarly, without proper precautions, renovations of
surfaces with lead-based paint release lead dust.
If you are buying a home or renting an apartment built
before 1978 you should receive a pamphlet containing
general information on lead-based paint hazards. This
information is being made available under a new federal
program that started in 1996. The goals of this program are
to help you reduce the hazards of lead-based paint in your
home and to prevent small children from being poisoned by
lead from paint.
If you want to find out if your house contains lead-based
paint or a lead hazard, you may want to hire someone to
inspect your home for lead paint and to evaluate the paint for
any hazards.
Q. What wil I I learn if I hire a lead
professional?
A. A certified lead professional offers two services: 1) an
inspection, or 2) a risk assessment. Some lead
professionals may be certified or licensed to conduct both.
A paint inspection will tell you the lead content of every
painted surface in your home. However, an inspection won't
tell you whether the paint poses a hazard or how you should
deal with it.
A risk assessment tells you if there are any sources of
serious lead exposure (such as peeling paint and lead dust).
It also tells you what options are available for addressing
these hazards.
Q. Are lead professionals required to
be certified or licensed?
A. Several states have developed certification or licensing
programs for individuals who identify and assess lead-based
paint for hazards. Information on obtaining a list of state-
certified lead-based paint inspectors, risk assessors, and
contractors is provided on the back of this brochure.
EPA also is working with these and other states to establish
a national training and certification program for lead-based
paint professionals. Under this program, all lead-based paint
inspectors, risk assessors and contractors must be trained
and certified starting in 1999.
Q. What if my state doesn't have a
certification or licensing program?
A. If your state doesn't have a certification or licensing
program yet, and you need to locate a lead professional, here
are some suggestions:
• Hire a contractor who has been certified or licensed
in a state that does have a program.
• If you can't find a contractor who's been certified
or licensed by another state, hire a contractor who
has been trained to conduct lead-based paint
inspections or risk assessments. Look for workers
whose training was based on course work
developed by EPA or approved by your state.
• Keep in mind that in addition to states, some cities
and counties may require you to use certified or
licensed contractors to conduct lead work. If you
are required to use a certified or licensed
professional and your state doesn't have a
program, you will need to work with county or local
officials to locate a professional who meets their
requirements.
Q. Is there a difference between a
certified or licensed contractor and
a contractor who is only trained?
A. Yes, there is a difference. To obtain a certification or
license, most states require applicants to meet three
standards. One standard requires an applicant to possess
certain experience and/or skills. Second, an applicant is
required to be trained to conduct specific lead-related tasks.
The training an applicant receives typically must be approved
by the state or an organization recognized by the state. The
third and final means to ensure the competency of an
applicant is a certification exam.
Individuals who have been trained, but who are uncertified
might not possess work experience relevant to conducting
lead-based paint activities. Nor have they passed an
examination to test their proficiency. For that reason, it is
especially important to check the references and credentials
of uncertified contractors.
Q. What if the lead paint in my home
poses a hazard?
A. You may have a range of options for addressing lead
hazards in your home. A risk assessment report should
contain recommendations on how to control lead-based paint
hazards safely. If you have been advised to remove or control
lead paint, use the same advice provided in this pamphlet
when looking for a lead abatement contractor.
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