EPA RRP Trainer Newsletter The content of this newsletter is for EPA administered jurisdictions only. This includes all but 14 states that operate their own RRP program. See "Authorized State" topic below for information. In This Issue Apply now to expand into E-Learnmg Change to application process National Lead Poisoning Prevention Week Renovator training expiration extended Firm certification Enforcement (fraudulent training) Frequent question database Amending your application Look for the Logo campaign Authorized states Useful Info & Instructions Renovation Regulations Trainer Instructions RRP Materials Logo Use Guidelines RRP Promotional Materials Lead in the News Newsletter Archive Apply Now to Expand into E-Learning On January 14, 2015, EPA published a proposal to eliminate the requirement for hands-on training in the renovator refresher course. A final decision on the proposal will be made early next year. If the Agency decides to eliminate the requirement for hands-on training in the renovator refresher course, training providers would be able to teach the class entirely online without the need for conducting the hands-on skill sets in a classroom. Training providers that are accredited for the current version of e-learning renovator refresher course would not have to apply for an additional accreditation in order to teach the online training without hands-on learning. Their accreditation for the current version of the e-learning refresher training would allow them to teach the online refresher if the hands-on requirement is eliminated. Apply here. Change to application process Effective September 15, 2015 EPA will no longer offer the option of submitting lead program applications by mail. This applies to all individual, firm and trainer applications required by EPA's lead renovation and abatement programs. After that date all applications, payments, updates and certificate replacement requests will be done online using the Agency's Central Data Exchange (CDX) system. This change is part of an Agency effort to decrease cost and increase efficiency. Although this option was only recently added for individuals and trainers, it has been available to firms for ------- Need Assistance? Frequent Questions Database National Lead Information Center some time. At present, nearly 90% of firm applications are submitted online. Acceptable methods for payments online include credit card, debit card, or electronic check. EPA Regional Contacts National Lead Poisoning Prevention Week Did you know that October 25- 31, 2015 is National Lead Poisoning Prevention Week (NLPPW)? This year's NLPPW theme, "Lead-Free Kids for a Healthy Future," will focus on the importance of the many ways parents can reduce a child's exposure to lead and prevent its serious health effects. As RRP training providers, you may want to consider using the messages and timing of Lead Poisoning Prevention Week activities to highlight the work that you do to prevent childhood lead poisoning. Learn more about NLPPW! Remember to spread the word! #LPPW2015 #LeadFreeKids Renovator training expiration extended EPA has extended the training expiration date for many individual certified renovators. This was done so if the proposed changes to recertification training of January 2015 are finalized, many more renovators will be able to take advantage of those changes. Affected expiration dates are based on when the previous course was taken. EPA will not be issuing new course completion certificates or other documentation to renovators saying their expiration was extended. If an employer or customer has questions about the extension the ------- renovator can print out this guidance and show it to them, or have them call the National Lead Information Center at 800-424-5323. Note: The extensions do not apply to firm certifications. Firm certification Firm certifications expire after five years. Firms are encouraged to apply for recertification early, to ensure their application is processed before they expire. Firms aren't penalized for applying early, their new 5-year certification won't begin until their current certification expires. Click here for information about applying for recertification. Note: It has come to our attention that some renovation firms have trained employees but the firm itself is not certified. While student training is an important aspect of the regulation, all businesses providing regulated renovation activities must be certified (even sole proprietorships). Firm certification involves the submission of an application and fee to EPA. Please help us and your students by emphasizing that training is only one step of the certification process, and that the firms they work for must also be certified. Enforcement (fraudulent training) EPA has received reports of RRP training being offered by businesses that are not accredited by EPA. Such training does not satisfy EPA requirements. If you suspect RRP training is being offered by a business that is not EPA accredited, you can verify their accreditation status by contacting the National Lead Information Center at 1- ------- 800-424-LEAD. Incidents of concern should be reported thru the FBI Internet Crime Complaint Center. Frequent question database (FQ database) EPA maintains an online database of Frequent Questions regarding the Agency's Lead Program. It is regularly updated to ensure that you have access to the very latest information. When questions come up we recommend you first go to the FQ Database, then if you cannot find the answer you're looking for call the National Lead Information Center at 1-800-424-LEAD (5323). Here's an example from the FQ database. I took my initial renovator training on May 1, 2010 and my training expiration was extended, will I get something that shows my expiration was extended? The answer is "no". Take a look at FQ 23002-36710 for more details! Amending your application If your application information changes, you must submit an amendment within 90 days. Most changes are effective upon submission, except: 1) If you add a training manager or principal instructor they must wait up until the amendment is approved or 30 days have passed before providing training. However, if they were previously approved under another accreditation, they may provide training on an interim basis until approved. ------- 2) If you add a permanent training location you may use the new location on an interim basis until the amendment is approved or 30 days have passed. To amend an accreditation, a training program must submit an amended application online using the CDX system. EPA's "Look for the Logo" campaign As you know, EPA's Renovation Rule requires firms working in older homes and child care facilities to be certified, train their employees, and follow lead-safe work practices. To help ensure consumers hire Lead-Safe Certified firms, help us spread the word and remind everyone to "Look for the Logo"! For more information or to download the materials for free, click here. Help us encourage consumers to "Look for the Logo" and better understand the value of trained and lead-safe certified contractors. Feel free to place EPA's materials on your webpage and highlight the print ad in an upcoming newsletter or email, and to encourage your trainees to do so as well. Authorized states To date, EPA has authorized 14 states to run their own renovation programs. Renovators and firms that only work within an authorized state(s) must be certified by each authorized state in which they do work, and would not be required to be certified by EPA. The authorized states are AL, DE, GA, IA, KS, MA, MS, NC, OK, OR, RI, UI, WA and WL If an individual renovator is certified by an authorized ------- state they are also qualified to work in EPA administered states, with no additional training. EPA certified renovators wishing to work in an authorized state should contact the state to determine if additional training/certification is necessary. Regardless of whether a firm is certified by an authorized state, if they do work in an EPA administered state they must be certified by EPA. Click here to see the FQ's related to this topic. ------- |