General HBA Course Information
About the EPA Lead Paint Training Courses Being Held at the HBA
The 8-hour lead paint certification course was developed by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), in collaboration with the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) to train renovation, repair and painting contractors how to work safely in housing with lead-based paint. The HBA’s lead paint classes comply with the EPA's Renovation, Repair and Painting (RRP) Rule, and HUD's Lead Safe Housing Rule because they are being taught by accredited EPA trainers from Titan Environmental. However, this course only certifies the individual, not the firm (read information below on firm certification).
How much does the EPA Lead Paint Class cost through the HBA?
The HBA is offering classes through accredited EPA trainers at the following rates: $175 per person for HBA Members and $225 for non-members of the St. Louis HBA. NOTE: There will be donuts and coffee available at 7:30 a.m. on class days. Lunch is also included.
How long is EPA Lead Paint Training Course?
The course to become a Certified Lead Renovator is approximately 8.5 hours long. Our courses take place from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. and are held at the HBA Office (10104 Old Olive Street Road, St. Louis, MO 63141). Click here for directions. Please have students arrive a minimum of 10 minutes early to register since the class starts promptly at 8 a.m. It should end close to 4:30 p.m. with the formal exam.
Don’t be fooled!
There are out-of-town firms holding similar lead paint classes to ours who are claiming to have certified instructors (some may be and some may not). They also claim that you will receive the certification you need to be compliant with the new Federal EPA Lead Renovation, Repair and Painting (RRP) Law that went into effect on April 22, 2010. If you choose to take a class with another firm, PLEASE double check with the EPA’s website to be sure they are in fact certified to instruct the EPA's Lead Safety Certification course before making your reservation. The accredited EPA trainer used by the HBA is Titan Environmental Services out of Kansas City, Missouri. Also, don’t be surprised when you learn many companies charge more than the HBA does for the same class!
General Information about the EPA’s Renovation, Repair & Painting (RRP) Rule:
The new EPA Lead Renovation, Repair and Painting (RRP) Law that went into effect April 22, 2010 can be very confusing for remodeling contractors as well as others suppliers and trades working in pre-1978 homes. To help you better understand who needs to become a Certified Lead Renovator and who doesn’t, we’ve broken down the most important information you need to know in laymen’s terms about the EPA Lead Paint rules. All of the information on this page is true to the best of our knowledge. The best resource for information is the EPA, which can be reached at 1-800-424-LEAD or by visiting http://www.epa.gov/lead/rrp/index.html.
Where can I download the Renovate Right brochure and other materials?
Brochures are available for download at the EPA's website at http://www.epa.gov/lead/pubs/leadpdfe.pdf and http://www.epa.gov/lead/pubs/renovaterightbrochure.pdf.
Note: Be Sure to check with the EPA for updates to these publications.
What the EPA Lead Renovation, Repair and Painting (RRP) Law States
The Lead paint training needed to become a Certified Lead Renovator is now mandatory for any contractor involved in any construction activity that will or has the potential to disturb lead-based paint. The new EPA rule will directly affect ALL paid renovators who work in pre-1978 housing and child-occupied facilities, including: renovation contractors, maintenance workers in multi-family housing, painters and other specialty trades. Under the rule, child-occupied facilities are defined as residential, public or commercial buildings where children under age six are present on a regular basis. The lead paint certification requirements apply to renovation, repair and painting activities. The rule does not apply to minor maintenance or repair activities where less than six square feet of lead-based paint is disturbed in a room or where less then 20 square feet of lead-based paint is disturbed on the exterior. Window replacement is not minor maintenance or repair.
Who is affected by the EPA Lead Renovation, Repair and Painting (RRP) Law?
Remodelers, window installers, door installers, painters, insulation contractors, electricians, plumbers, siding contractors and any other contractors working in pre-1978 housing where there’s a risk that lead-based paint will be disturbed or lead-based paint dust will be created must receive lead paint training.
Who from my company needs to become a Certified Lead Renovator?
It could be the owner, a project manager, a superintendent, a crew leader or just about anyone else that can oversee job sites on your behalf. To be in compliance with the law, the certificate holder must be have their certificate onsite and be available by phone at all times.
How long will my individual Lead Paint Renovator certification last?
The training certification is good for five years.
What if the certified individual leaves my company?
The lead paint certification stays with the individual. If he/she leaves your company and is the only one from your company certified, you become non-compliant with the law and could be fined heavily if you work in pre-1978 homes once they leave. After successfully completing the lead paint course, the certified individual will get their photo taken by the instructors. This photo will get embedded on to the certificate that will either be mailed or emailed (if email is provided) to the student at a later date. A copy of this certificate must remain on the jobsite at all times.
What if I’m caught being non-compliant?
The EPA states on their website that anyone found to be non-compliant could face hefty fines of up to $37,500 per violation and/or jail time per incident. Many companies throughout the St. Louis region have already trained their people through our lead paint courses (and obviously some of them are your competitors). If they’re doing what’s necessary to be compliant, they will make sure the EPA checks on you too. You can’t afford to be found non-compliant – plain and simple.
About EPA Fines
The EPA has developed a guideline to various fines and penalties for non-compliance. Click here to review the document.
Lead-Safe Certified Firm vs. Individual Certification
Firm certification is mandatory and completely separate from the mandatory individual lead paint training courses we are offering at the HBA. Each firm (company) doing any type of construction in pre-1978 housing must also become a Lead-Safe Certified Firm with the EPA directly. To get your firm certified, simply fill out the EPA’s firm application and mail it to the EPA with a $300 check. The firm certification is valid for five years. Should you need assistance in filling out this application, call 1-800-424-LEAD (option 3 - lead paint certification information) and they will be able to walk you through this form and/or answer any questions you may have.
EPA-Approved Test Kits
In early April of 2012, the EPA announced the addition of a third “approved” test kit to determine if a pre-1978 housing unit has lead paint present. In the past, many contractors experienced too many false positives from the approved test kits and simply treated every unit as if it had lead paint. Please follow this link for more information: http://www.epa.gov/lead/testkit.html
More questions?
Contact Steve Loos. You may also go to http://www.epa.gov/lead/rrp/index.html or call the Lead Paint Hotline at 1-800-424-LEAD. Other helpful links inlcude http://www.epa.gov/getleadsafe and http://www.leadfreekids.org.
View more information available from the National Association of Home Builders on the Lead Paint Rule and how to prepare your company by clicking here. For "Member Only" resources to help with the lead paint rule and record keeping click here.
January, 2013 – NAHB recently received notice that the EPA is sending a postcard to uncertified contractors to remind them that they cannot work on pre-1978 jobsites until they get the proper training under the Renovation, Repair & Paining (RRP) Rule established in 2010. See story in link below for details.