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| Frequent Questions About the Firm Certification Process |
Frequent Questions about the RRP Rule
EPA requires firms conducting renovation or lead-based paint activities (abatement, inspection, and risk assessment) in target housing and child-occupied facilities to be certified. The firms must ensure work is done by qualified individuals following specific work practices.
- Where does EPA administer these programs?
- How do I apply for initial certification?
- When should I apply for re-certification?
- Can I apply for both abatement and renovation?
- How long does the application process take?
- How do I update my application if my information changes?
- How can I get a replacement copy of my certificate?
- Is there a fee to become certified?
- If I withdraw my application, am I entitled to a refund?
Where does EPA administer these programs?
Firms must apply to EPA and be certified to perform renovations or lead-based paint activities (abatement, inspection, or risk assessment) in states, territories, and Indian tribal land(s) where EPA implements the lead-based paint certification program. If EPA does not administer the certification program in an area where a firm wishes to work, the firm must apply directly to that state, territory, or Indian tribe for certification. Find out who administers the program in your area. To find out which states are administered by EPA go to the webpage listed below or call the National Lead Information Center at 1-800-424-LEAD (5323):
- For abatement, inspection or risk assessment visit EPA's web page at www.epa.gov/lead/pubs/traincert.htm
- For renovation, visit EPA's web page at www.epa.gov/lead/pubs/lscp-renovation_firm.htm
How to apply for initial certification
Firms may submit their application and payment online or by mail:
Online:
- Go to www.epa.gov/lead/pubs/lscp-renovation.htm
- If you have not registered in the Agency's CDX system previously you will be required to register.
- Once registered, login and complete the application form and payment online following instructions provided.
By mail:
- Complete, sign, and date EPA Form 8500-27 (Rev 09/11). The form can be filled out by hand or by using a fillable form on your computer (www.epa.gov/lead/pubs/firmapp.pdf).
- Calculate the appropriate fee using the fees schedule provided in these instructions.
- Make your check or money order payable to U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, also print “Lead Program User Fees” on the check or money order for the fee and mail it with your application to the following address:
U.S. EPA
Lead User Fees
P.O. Box 979072
St. Louis, MO 63197-9000
How to apply for re-certification
Firms must be re-certified every five (5) years for renovations and three (3) years for lead-based paint activities (abatement, inspection, risk assessment). You must be recertified by EPA before your current certification expires. EPA therefore recommends that you apply for recertification no later than 90 days before your current certification expires. Re-certification can be completed online or by mail. Follow the instructions described in the “Initial Certification” section of these instructions to submit your application. Be sure to complete all sections of the application.
Applying for both abatement and renovation
Firms can apply for certification under the Renovation, Repair, and Painting Rule and Lead-based Paint Activities Regulations (abatement, inspection, risk assessment) in a single application for a single fee of $550. For Tribal government entities, the fee is $20. Firms that apply for these certifications separately will have to pay the appropriate fee for each. The lower fee only applies if a single firm seeks both certifications, for a state or Tribe where EPA implements both programs, in one application.
Note: Firms may only apply to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to be certified or recertified to perform or offer to perform renovations or lead-based paint activities (abatement, inspection, or risk assessment) in states, U.S. territories, and all Indian tribal land(s) in any one EPA Region where EPA implements the lead-based paint certification program. If EPA does not administer the certification program in an area where a firm wishes to work, the firm must apply directly to that state, territory, or Indian tribe for certification. To find out which states are administered by EPA, go to the web page listed below or call the National Lead Information Center at 1-800-424-LEAD (5323):
- For abatement, inspection or risk assessment visit EPA's web page at www.epa.gov/lead/pubs/traincert.htm
- For renovation, visit EPA's web page at www.epa.gov/lead/pubs/lscp-renovation_firm.htm
How long does it take to be certified?
EPA has up to 90 days after receiving a complete request for certification to approve or disapprove the application.
Amending an application
Any change to the information reported to EPA in a firm's most recent certification application must be reported in an amended certification application. There is no cost associated with the submission of an amended certification.
Amended applications can be completed online or by mail. Follow the instructions described in the “Initial Certification” section of these instructions to submit your application online. Amendments by mail should be sent to the following address:
U.S. EPA
P.O. Box 14417
Washington, DC 20044-4417
Replacement of a certificate
There is a fee of $15 to replace a certificate; the request for replacement can be completed online or by mail. Follow the instructions described in the “Initial Certification” section of these instructions to submit your request online. If requesting by mail complete only sections A (Application Type), B (Application Fee), C (Applicant Information) and F (Certification Statement) of the application and follow the mailing instructions described in the “Initial Certification” section of these instructions.
Certification fees
Q. Is your firm applying for certification to conduct renovations, repairs or painting activities?
A. Your firm is required to pay $300.
Q. Is your firm submitting a combined application for certification to conduct renovations, repairs or painting AND certification in one state for lead abatement, inspection or risk assessments (lead-based paint activities)?
A. Your firm is required to pay $550.
Q. Is your firm submitting an application for certification in one state for lead abatement, inspection or risk assessments (lead-based paint activities)?
A. Your firm is required to pay $550.
Q. Is your firm applying for certification for lead abatement, inspection or risk assessments (lead-based paint activities) in two states AND certification to conduct renovations, repairs or painting?
A. Your firm is required to pay $585. (Initial combination RRP and lead-based paint activities firm certification fee of $550 plus one additional state fee of $35.)
Note: Each additional state or other jurisdiction is an additional $35 for certification in lead abatement, inspection or risk assessments (lead paint activities).
For additional details, review the fee table below:
Description |
Fee |
|
Replacement Certificate |
$15 |
|
Renovation Firm Certification |
Certification |
Recertification |
Firm |
$300 |
$300 |
Tribal Firm |
$20 |
$20 |
Combined Renovation and Lead-based Paint Activities Firm Application |
$550 |
$550 |
Combined Renovation and Lead-based Paint Activities Tribal Firm Application |
$20 |
$20 |
Lead-based Paint Activities Certification (Abatement, Inspection, Risk Assessment) |
Certification |
Recertification |
Firm |
$550 |
$550 |
Tribal Firm |
$20 |
$20 |
Combined Renovation and Lead-based Paint Activities Firm Application |
$550 |
$550 |
Combined Renovation and Lead-based Paint Activities Tribal Firm Application |
$20 |
$20 |
Multi-jurisdictional Certification Fee* |
$35 for each additional EPA-run jurisdiction** |
|
*Multi-jurisdictional certification applies to lead-based paint activities (abatement, inspection, risk assessment) for an applicant applying in more than one EPA-run jurisdiction. This fee does not apply to renovation firm certification.
**An EPA-run jurisdiction includes an EPA-run state, a U.S. territory, or all Indian tribal land(s) in any one EPA Region. (For current listing of EPA-run jurisdictions, see http://www.epa.gov/lead/pubs/traincert.htm or call 1-800-424-LEAD.)
EPA's certification fees refund policy
Firms having submitted an application and associated fees for certification or re-certification who wish to withdraw their application prior to Agency approval will receive a fee refund based upon the schedule listed below. Firms who request a refund more than 10 days after the Agency receives the application will not receive a 100 percent refund.
Number of Days Following Agency Receipt of Application |
Percent Reimbursable (based upon total fees submitted) |
up to 10 days |
100% |
11 to 60 days |
75% |
61 to 120 days |
50% |
121 or more days |
25% |
Note: Refunds will only be made after EPA verifies fee receipt and deposit by the U.S. Treasury.
Firms must notify the Agency in writing in order to qualify for a refund. The date of withdrawal is the date on which the Agency received the withdrawal notification.
EPA will not refund fees after granting a firm certification or re-certification. If your application is disapproved, EPA will not refund fees.
Refunds are not available for replacing a certificate.
Refund and withdrawal requests must be sent to the following address:
U.S. EPA
P.O. Box 14417
Washington, DC 20044-4417