• EPA’s Lead Abatement Program regulations provide a framework for lead abatement, risk assessment, and inspections.
• The federal lead training and certification program establishes five categories or disciplines of lead-based paint professionals.

Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA’s) Lead Abatement Program regulations at 40 CFR 745 Subpart L provide a framework for lead abatement, risk assessment, and inspections. Subpart L applies only to those individuals, firms, and training providers involved in lead-based paint activities and training related to target housing and child-occupied facilities. However, Subpart L does not cover public or commercial buildings (except child-occupied facilities), superstructures, or bridges.

Those performing these services are required to be trained and certified by EPA or an authorized state. States may, upon approval, receive authorization to carry out their own program in lieu of the federal program. The federal lead training and certification program establishes five categories or disciplines of lead-based paint professionals: supervisors, workers, inspectors, risk assessors, and project designers.

An individual who conducts inspection services must either be a certified inspector or a certified risk assessor. An individual who performs risk assessment services must be a certified risk assessor. The certification requirements for abatement activities depend on the type of work the individuals will be performing. For example, workers and supervisors are required to conduct the actual lead abatement work, while inspectors or risk assessors conduct the clearance testing, and supervisors or project designers prepare occupant protection plans and abatement reports.

The training and certification requirements contained in the regulation ensure that:

• Lead-based paint professionals are properly trained to conduct lead-based paint activities in residential dwellings and facilities regularly occupied by young children, such as day-care centers and pre-schools;
• Lead-based paint inspections, risk assessments, and abatements are conducted reliably, safely, and effectively; and
• Training providers are accredited and capable of providing quality instruction to lead professionals.