Welcome to the EPA’s Renovation, Repair and Painting Certification Guide.
Our goal is to help you prevent lead hazards at your renovation, repair and painting site.
You may know that in 2008, EPA issued the Lead Renovation Repair and Painting rule often
referred to as the RRP rule.
The rule requires renovation firms to be certified by EPA or by an EPA-approved state.
EPA also requires that these firms use individuals who are trained in lead-safe work practices.
Individuals must pass a one-day training course in lead-safe work practices to become certified
renovators.
We will teach you how to comply with these RRP requirements in three easy steps:
One- We will help you figure out whether your firm needs to apply to EPA and/ or to your
state Two- We will teach you how to apply for firm
certification Three- We will help you find a renovator training
class One- Figuring out where your firm needs to
apply -- to EPA or your state First go to: epa.gov/getleadsafe
Click Renovation firm, then click on the state or states that you work in.
You’ll fall into one of two categories: 1- If the site takes you to a state page and
you only perform work in that EPA-authorized state, follow your state instructions.
Each state page has its own layout and instructions.
Carefully read over your state’s instructions to find out what requirements are needed to
become certified to work in your state.
This is an example of EPA’s application site.
These are examples of state sites…
2 - If you click on a state, territory, or tribe and it links to EPA’s steps then you
must apply with EPA Remember you may need to apply to both your
state and EPA depending on where you work.
If you only do your work in EPA-administered states, then a single application to EPA will
cover you in all of these states.
Let’s go through that application process.
Step 2.
Apply for EPA firm certification First click on “Renovator firm application
form and instructions-PDF”
To become lead-safe certified, all firms must submit an RRP application and a $300 fee to
EPA.
A one-person shop, or sole proprietorship, is considered a firm and must be certified
as a firm by EPA.
Remember, this is not the same as individual renovator certification.
We will discuss Individual certification in Step 3.
Let’s get back to the EPA application and scroll down to the main part.
Starting with Section A, your first step is to mark “Initial” in Option 1 “Renovation,
Repair, and Painting Firm Certification.”
Make sure you DO NOT fill out Option 2 unless it is a part of your job to assess or remove
all lead hazards, also known as abatement – this is usually not a part of a renovation,
repair or paint job.
Next, move to Section B. Since you are applying for only Renovation Firm certification, enter
the fee amount for Certification for Renovations only -- $300.
The check should be made payable to “U.S. EPA”, and you should include a note “Lead
Program User Fees” on the check memo line.
Next, under Section C, you must provide the “Name of your firm” and address.
The name of the attesting individual is the person who will sign this application.
Also, make sure you enter your firm’s mailing address, if different, phone number and email
address.
Please note, if you are a sole proprietorship, the firm name may be your name, so do not
leave ANY of these spaces blank.
Next, Section D. Please select how you want to be listed on EPA’s website.
On this website, potential customers can search for lead-safe firms.
In the section, check the “Renovation” box.
Please read Section E carefully.
Has your firm been cited for any local, state or federal lead-based paint violations?
Mark yes or no.
If yes, you must attach a separate page with a written explanation.
You’re almost done!
In Section F, sign, list your title, and date the application.
Remember, as the attesting individual, you are confirming that your firm will use lead-
safe work practices and that trained renovators will supervise certain key parts of the job.
Finally, make sure to check over your application and include your payment.
Place your application and check in the mail and send to:
U.S. EPA Lead User Fees
P.O.
Box 979072 St. Louis, MO 63197-9000
THREE.
Finding a renovator training class on lead-safe work practices
Now that you have completed the application make sure you have your renovators trained
in lead-safe work practices.
Not all of a firm’s workers need to be official “certified renovators,” but certified
renovators are needed to oversee certain key aspects of the job.
They also show others how to do the job safely.
It’s a good idea to have a certified renovator on staff.
Determine how many of your workers need to be certified and then sign them up for the
class, too!
To find a training center near you visit: www.epa.gov/getleadsafe
Once EPA approves your firm’s application, which usually takes about a month, you will
receive a certificate in the mail and information about your custom lead-safe certified logo!
You’re all set!
EPA’s certification is good for five years, but please let us know if any of your contact
information changes so our records are accurate.
If you have any questions regarding lead or the RRP certification process, please contact
the National Lead Information Center at 1-800-424-LEAD or visit www.epa.gov/getleadsafe.