RRP-Lead Safety INITIAL Certification Course - 5/6/25

The US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) requires that work to pre-1978 residential structures be performed by a "Certified Renovator" following lead-safe practices as dictated by the RRP (Renovation/Repair/Painting) rule. This INITIAL certification course is for those applying for the first time, or who have let a prior certification lapse.

Renovation program overview

The Lead Renovation, Repair and Painting (RRP) Rule establishes requirements for firms and individuals performing renovations, and affects contractors, property managers, and others who disturb painted surfaces.  It applies to work in houses, apartments, and child-occupied facilities (such as schools and day-care centers) built before 1978.  It includes pre-renovation education requirements as well as training, firm certification, and work practice requirements.

In general, anyone who is paid to perform work that disturbs paint in housing and child-occupied facilities built before 1978 must be certified.  This includes all firms, even sole proprietorships.

Firms can't advertise or perform renovation activities covered by the regulation in homes or child occupied facilities built before 1978 without firm certification.

Activities covered by the rule

• Remodeling and repair/maintenance
• Electrical work
• Plumbing
• Painting preparation
• Carpentry
• Window replacement

Training requirements for certified renovators

• Renovators are certified upon completion of an EPA-accredited renovator training course.
  • Their course completion certificate serves as their certification credential. 
  • For initial certification, renovators must take an 8-hour training that includes 2 hours of hands-on learning.
• To remain certified a renovator must complete a refresher training course before their current certification expires. 
  • For recertification, renovators must take a 4-hour refresher training that includes hands-on learning every other time they take the refresher course.
  • Renovators who take the online refresher training will be certified for three years; renovators who take the hands-on training in the refresher course will be certified for five years.

If certification has expired, the 8-hour course must be taken again to regain certification.