How to Get Your Lead Removal License in Illinois

Below we will review the steps on how to get certified to properly remove lead 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 Abatement 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 Supervisor:

The Illinois Lead Supervisor oversees the removal of lead from buildings.

Supervisors must be at least 18 years of age and meet ONE of the following Prerequisites:
1. One year of experience as a certified lead-based paint abatement worker; OR
2. Two years of experience in a related field (e.g., lead, asbestos or environmental remediation work) or in the building trades.
Attend Lead Abatement Supervisor Initial training. If you are already certified and need to renew, attend a Lead Abatement Supervisor 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.
- 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.
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 Supervisor certification.
1. Applicants must pay a $100 fee for each license. All fees are non-refundable. Lead supervisor licenses expire March 31 of each year, except that a first-time license issued after December 31 and before March 31 shall expire the next following March 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 Worker:

The Illinois Lead Worker performs the removal of lead from buildings.

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

Attend Lead Worker Initial training. If you are already certified and need to renew, attend a Lead Worker Refresher course.
- Training course certificates are valid for 3 years from the date the applicant passed the approved lead training course examination, after which an approved refresher course must be completed to renew.
- 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 worker training course.
Apply to the IDPH (IL Department of Public Health) for your Lead Worker certification.
1. Applicants must pay a $50 fee for each license. All fees are non-refundable. Lead worker licenses expire March 31 of each year, except that a first-time license issued after December 31 and before March 31 shall expire the next following March 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 inspections for lead paint, please visit our Lead Inspector / Risk Assessor 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