How to Get Your Lead Paint Inspector/Risk Assessor License in Illinois

Below we will review the steps on how to get certified to properly perform lead inspections and lead risk assessments in the state of Illinois.

To conduct any lead services, including lead inspection, lead risk assessment, lead hazard screens, lead mitigation, or lead abatement work and supervision, in a regulated facility in Illinois, individuals must be licensed.

Illinois Lead Inspector/Risk Assessor Certification

Company Registration

In addition to having the proper training certifications for all employees (see below for more information), any company offering to perform lead hazard abatement in Illinois must also be registered as a Lead Abatement Contractor. A $500.00 annual fee is required - view application and requirements.

Steps to Become a Lead Inspector:

The Illinois Lead Inspector performs a surface-by-surface investigation to determine the presence of lead-based paint. Lead inspection includes sampling or investigation for lead associated with a lead inspection.

You must be at least 18 years of age become a certified lead abatement worker.

Attend Lead Inspector Initial training. If you are already certified and need to renew, attend a Lead Inspector Refresher course.
- Training course certificates are valid for 3 years from the date the applicant passed the approved lead training course examination.
- Training course certificates shall be renewed every 3 years by successfully completing a Department-approved refresher training course in the appropriate discipline.
- If 4 years have passed since the applicant passed the approved training course examination, the training course certificate cannot be refreshed. An applicant is required to complete the initial lead training course as required by this Section.

Register for The Exam: CCandidates must submit an exam application to the IPDH with a $50 non-refundable exam preparation fee:

Division of Environmental Health, Illinois Lead Program
525 West Jefferson Street, 3rd floor, Springfield, IL 62761

Apply to the IDPH (IL Department of Public Health) for your Lead Inspector certification.
1. Applicants must pay a $100 fee for each license. All fees are non-refundable. Lead inspector licenses expire January 31 of each year, except that a first-time license issued after October 31 and before January 31 shall expire the next following January 31.
2. You must also submit a recent 1” x 1” photograph of the applicant for proper identification of the licensee. The picture shall have the printed name of applicant on the reverse side. The license will not be issued without an identification photograph.

Remember, if you work for yourself or have your own company, you must also register the company with Illinois - see instructions above.

Steps to Become a Lead Risk Assessor:

The Illinois Lead Risk Assessor performs on-site investigation to determine the existence, nature, severity and location of lead hazards. Lead risk assessment includes any lead sampling and visual assessment associated with conducting a lead risk assessment and lead hazard screen

Risk Assessors must be at least 18 years of age and meet ONE of the following Prerequisites:
1. A bachelor of science degree in engineering, or an environmental or health-related field; OR
2. A bachelor's degree in any discipline and one year of experience in a related field (e.g., lead, asbestos or environmental remediation work, or construction); OR
3. An associate's degree in any discipline and 2 years of experience in a related field (e.g., lead, asbestos or environmental remediation work, or construction); OR
4. A high school diploma (or equivalent) and at least 3 years of experience in a related field (e.g., lead, asbestos or environmental remediation work, or construction); OR
5. Licensure as an industrial hygienist, professional engineer, architect or environmental health practitioner

Attend Lead Risk Assessor Initial training. If you are already certified and need to renew, attend a Lead Risk Assessor Refresher course.
- Training course certificates are valid for 3 years from the date the applicant passed the approved lead training course examination.-
- Training course certificates shall be renewed every 3 years by successfully completing a Department-approved refresher training course in the appropriate discipline.
- If 4 years have passed since the applicant passed the approved training course examination, the training course certificate cannot be refreshed. An applicant is required to complete the initial lead training course as required by this Section.

Register for The Exam: Candidates must submit an exam application to the IPDH with a $50 non-refundable exam preparation fee:
- Division of Environmental Health, Illinois Lead Program
- 525 West Jefferson Street, 3rd floor, Springfield, IL 62761

Apply to the IDPH (IL Department of Public Health) for your Lead Risk Assessor certification.
1. Applicants must pay a $100 fee for each license. All fees are non-refundable. Lead inspector licenses expire January 31 of each year, except that a first-time license issued after October 31 and before January 31 shall expire the next following January 31.
2. You must also submit a recent 1” x 1” photograph of the applicant for proper identification of the licensee. The picture shall have the printed name of applicant on the reverse side. The license will not be issued without an identification photograph.

Please note the following related webpages for lead paint licenses in Illinois.

If you wish to renovate, repair, or paint in a pre-1978 home or child occupied facility please visit our EPA Lead Renovator (RRP) page.
For performing lead paint removal, please visit our Lead Abatement in Illinois page.

Have additional questions on receiving a Illinois lead paint 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.