Steps to Become A Lead Paint Inspector in California

How To Become a Lead Inspector in California

After attending lead paint training, there are additional steps to obtain your lead paint certification in the state of California.

Please note: Certification with the California Department of Public Health (CDPH) is required for all those performing lead hazard evaluations, lead abatement plan preparation, lead abatement work and lead clearance inspections for residential and public buildings in California!

The lead certificate you need in California depends on the type of work you want to perform:

To inspect a property for lead paint, please continue below to the Lead Inspector certification instructions.

To work under the supervision of a CDPH certified Lead Inspector as a Lead Sampling Technician, scroll down to the corresponding section below.

If you wish to renovate, repair, or paint in a pre-1978 home or child occupied facility that may have lead, please visit our EPA Lead Renovator (RRP) page.

To remove lead paint hazards, please visit our Lead Abatement in California page.

How to Get Your CDPH Lead Inspector/Risk Assessor Certification:

Confirm which lead certification you need. The Lead Inspector/Risk Assessor certificate is for those who plan to inspect buildings for lead and assess the type of lead hazards in those buildings.

Check the Prerequisites to make sure you’ll meet the certification requirements:
1. Successfully complete and receive a course completion certificate for a lead-based paint inspector and risk assessor training course;
2. AND Bachelors degree PLUS 1 year experience in related field;
  1. OR Associates degree PLUS 2 years experience in a related field;
  2. OR High School/GED PLUS 3 years experience in related field.
Attend the Lead Inspector/Risk Assessor Initial training. If you are already certified and need to renew, attend a Lead Inspector Certification Refresher or Lead Risk Assessor Refresher course.

Register for the Statewide Certification Exam: You may telephone CPS Human Resource Services directly at (916) 263-3624, option 5, to obtain registration materials. You can also get information on the CPS HR website. You must register for your exam at least two weeks before the exam date. The certification exam consists of 100 to 125 multiple-choice questions is offered in English.

After you pass the exam, Submit an Application to CDPH (California Department of Public Health) for your Lead Inspector/Risk Assessor Certification (Application Link & Instructions). Fees: Each certificate or renewal requested is $75. All fees are non-refundable. Certification normally takes from 20 to 60 days to complete, although delays may occur if an applicant submits an incomplete application.

Understand the responsibilities of a Lead Inspector/Risk Assessor:
1. Taking paint-chip, dust or soil samples or using an XRF machine to test painted surfaces. NOTE: Additional manufacturer training may be required to utilize an XRF gun.
2. Conducting visual inspections to examine the condition of painted surfaces and the location of lead hazards in the building.
3. Interpreting laboratory and XRF test results.
4. Preparing reports on the amount of lead hazards in a building and the risks of lead poisoning to the building occupants.
5. Recommending cost effective ways to safely handle the lead hazards.
6. Insuring no lead hazards remain after lead abatement work or other construction work where lead is present.

Under California's Title 17 regulations, a certified Inspector/Assessor:
1. may perform lead hazard evaluations, including
  1. lead paint inspections
  2. lead risk assessments
  3. clearance inspections.
2. may not prepare lead abatement plans.
3. may not perform lead abatement activities.

CDPH Lead Sampling Technician

Before you apply for a certificate, you must complete CDHP-approved Lead Sampling Technician training.

Confirm which certification you need: The Lead Sampling Technician certificate is for those who, under the direction of an Inspector/Assessor, perform sampling activities.

Aside from the training requirements, there are no prerequisites for this certification.

Attend the Lead Sampling Technician Initial training. If you are already certified and need to renew, attend a Lead Sampling Technician Refresher course.

Apply to the California Department of Public Health for your Lead Sampling Technician certification using form CDPH 8488 (View Application). Include the required photos, documentation, and certification fee of $75 with your application. All fees are non-refundable. Certification normally takes from 20 to 90 days to complete, although delays may occur if an applicant submits an incomplete application.

Learn about expected responsibilities of a Lead Sampling Technician:
1. Taking paint-chip, dust or soil samples.
2. Using an XRF machine to test painted surfaces. NOTE: Additional manufacturer training may be required to use an XRF machine.
3. Performing visual assessments

Under California's Title 17 regulations, a certified Sampling Technician:
1. may take samples during a lead hazard evaluation under the direction of a certified Inspector/Assessor.
2. may not prepare lead abatement plans.
3. may not perform lead abatement activities.
4. may not perform full lead hazard evaluations, including clearance inspections.

Have additional questions on receiving a California lead paint inspection license? Give us a call at 646-564-3546 and we'll be happy to assist you.

Disclaimer

Please note that these details are provided for informational purposes only. Consult with your local state or regulatory body to confirm your requirements for your specific situation. Nothing on this website constitutes, or is meant to constitute, advice of any kind. It is simply a database of publicly available information that is meant to assist with research on certain topics but is no way guaranteed as complete or free of error.