Title 40—Protection of Environment--Volume 1
PART 745—LEAD-BASED PAINT POISONING PREVENTION IN CERTAIN RESIDENTIAL STRUCTURES
§ 745.61   Scope and applicability.
(a) This subpart identifies lead-based paint hazards.
(b) The standards for lead-based paint hazards apply to target housing and child-occupied facilities.
(c) Nothing in this subpart requires the owner of property(ies) subject to these standards to evaluate the property(ies) for the presence of lead-based paint hazards or take any action to control these conditions if one or more of them is identified.
(d) Before January 13, 2025, the levels identified in 40 CFR 745.227(e)(8)(viii) were referred to as clearance levels. On or after January 13, 2025, the levels identified in § 745.227(e)(8)(viii) are referred to as action levels.
§ 745.63   Definitions.
The following definitions apply to part 745.
Arithmetic mean means the algebraic sum of data values divided by the number of data values (e.g., the sum of the concentration of lead in several soil samples divided by the number of samples).
Chewable surface means an interior or exterior surface painted with lead-based paint that a young child can mouth or chew. A chewable surface is the same as an “accessible surface” as defined in 42 U.S.C. 4851b(2)). Hard metal substrates and other materials that cannot be dented by the bite of a young child are not considered chewable.
Common area group means a group of common areas that are similar in design, construction, and function. Common area groups include, but are not limited to hallways, stairwells, and laundry rooms.
Concentration means the relative content of a specific substance contained within a larger mass, such as the amount of lead (in micrograms per gram or parts per million by weight) in a sample of dust or soil.
Deteriorated paint means any interior or exterior paint or other coating that is peeling, chipping, chalking or cracking, or any paint or coating located on an interior or exterior surface or fixture that is otherwise damaged or separated from the substrate.
Dripline means the area within 3 feet surrounding the perimeter of a building.
Friction surface means an interior or exterior surface that is subject to abrasion or friction, including, but not limited to, certain window, floor, and stair surfaces.
Impact surface means an interior or exterior surface that is subject to damage by repeated sudden force such as certain parts of door frames.
Interior window sill means the portion of the horizontal window ledge that protrudes into the interior of the room.
Lead-based paint hazard means hazardous lead-based paint, dust-lead hazard or soil-lead hazard as identified in § 745.65.
Loading means the quantity of a specific substance present per unit of surface area, such as the amount of lead in micrograms contained in the dust collected from a certain surface area divided by the surface area in square feet or square meters.
Mid-yard means an area of a residential yard approximately midway between the dripline of a residential building and the nearest property boundary or between the driplines of a residential building and another building on the same property.
Play area means an area of frequent soil contact by children of less than 6 years of age as indicated by, but not limited to, such factors including the following: the presence of play equipment (e.g., sandboxes, swing sets, and sliding boards), toys, or other children's possessions, observations of play patterns, or information provided by parents, residents, care givers, or property owners.
Reportable level means the lowest analyte concentration (or amount) that does not contain a “less than” qualifier and that is reported with confidence for a specific method by a laboratory recognized by EPA under TSCA section 405(b).
Residential building means a building containing one or more residential dwellings.
Room means a separate part of the inside of a building, such as a bedroom, living room, dining room, kitchen, bathroom, laundry room, or utility room. To be considered a separate room, the room must be separated from adjoining rooms by built-in walls or archways that extend at least 6 inches from an intersecting wall. Half walls or bookcases count as room separators if built-in. Movable or collapsible partitions or partitions consisting solely of shelves or cabinets are not considered built-in walls. A screened in porch that is used as a living area is a room.
Soil sample means a sample collected in a representative location using ASTM E1727, “Standard Practice for Field Collection of Soil Samples for Lead Determination by Atomic Spectrometry Techniques,” or equivalent method.
Weighted arithmetic mean means the arithmetic mean of sample results weighted by the number of subsamples in each sample. Its purpose is to give influence to a sample relative to the surface area it represents. A single surface sample is comprised of a single subsample. A composite sample may contain from two to four subsamples of the same area as each other and of each single surface sample in the composite. The weighted arithmetic mean is obtained by summing, for all samples, the product of the sample's result multiplied by the number of subsamples in the sample, and dividing the sum by the total number of subsamples contained in all samples. For example, the weighted arithmetic mean of a single surface sample containing 60 µg/ft 2 , a composite sample (three subsamples) containing 100 µg/ft 2 , and a composite sample (4 subsamples) containing 110 µg/ft 2 is 100 µg/ft 2 . This result is based on the equation [60 + (3*100) + (4*110)]/(1 + 3 + 4).
Window trough means, for a typical double-hung window, the portion of the exterior window sill between the interior window sill (or stool) and the frame of the storm window. If there is no storm window, the window trough is the area that receives both the upper and lower window sashes when they are both lowered. The window trough is sometimes referred to as the window “well.”
Wipe sample means a sample collected by wiping a representative surface of known area, as determined by ASTM E1728, “Standard Practice for Field Collection of Settled Dust Samples Using Wipe Sampling Methods for Lead Determination by Atomic Spectrometry Techniques, or equivalent method, with an acceptable wipe material as defined in ASTM E 1792, “Standard Specification for Wipe Sampling Materials for Lead in Surface Dust.”
Wipe sample means a sample collected by wiping a representative surface of known area, as determined by ASTM E1728/E1728M-20 (incorporated by reference, see § 745.67), or equivalent method, with an acceptable wipe material as defined in ASTM E1792-20 (incorporated by reference, see § 745.67).
§ 745.65   Lead-based paint hazards.
(a) Paint-lead hazard. A paint-lead hazard is any of the following:
(1) Any lead-based paint on a friction surface that is subject to abrasion and where the lead dust levels on the nearest horizontal surface underneath the friction surface (e.g., the window sill, or floor) are equal to or greater than the dust-lead hazard levels identified in paragraph (b) of this section.
(2) Any damaged or otherwise deteriorated lead-based paint on an impact surface that is caused by impact from a related building component (such as a door knob that knocks into a wall or a door that knocks against its door frame.
(3) Any chewable lead-based painted surface on which there is evidence of teeth marks.
(4) Any other deteriorated lead-based paint in any residential building or child-occupied facility or on the exterior of any residential building or child-occupied facility.
(b) Dust-lead hazard. Before January 12, 2026, a dust-lead hazard is surface dust in a residential dwelling or child-occupied facility that contains a mass-per-area concentration of lead equal to or exceeding 10 µg/ft 2 for floors or 100 µg/ft 2 for interior window sills based on wipe samples. On or after January 12, 2026, a dust-lead hazard is surface dust in a residential dwelling or child-occupied facility that contains a mass-per-area concentration of any reportable level of lead for floors or for interior window sills based on wipe samples analyzed by an NLLAP-recognized laboratory.
(c) Soil-lead hazard. A soil-lead hazard is bare soil on residential real property or on the property of a child-occupied facility that contains total lead equal to or exceeding 400 parts per million (µg/g) in a play area or average of 1,200 parts per million of bare soil in the rest of the yard based on soil samples.
(d) Work practice requirements. Applicable certification, occupant protection, and clearance requirements and work practice standards are found in regulations issued by EPA at 40 CFR part 745, subpart L and in regulations issued by the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) at 24 CFR part 35, subpart R. The work practice standards in those regulations do not apply when treating paint-lead hazards of less than:
(1) Two square feet of deteriorated lead-based paint per room or equivalent,
(2) Twenty square feet of deteriorated paint on the exterior building, or
(3) Ten percent of the total surface area of deteriorated paint on an interior or exterior type of component with a small surface area.
§ 745.67   Incorporation by reference.
Certain material is incorporated by reference into this subpart with the approval of the Director of the Federal Register in accordance with 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part 51. All approved incorporation by reference (IBR) material is available for inspection at the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and at the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA). Contact EPA at: OPPT Docket in the Environmental Protection Agency Docket Center (EPA/DC), West William Jefferson Clinton Bldg., Rm. 3334, 1301 Constitution Ave. NW, Washington, DC. The EPA/DC Public Reading Room hours of operation are 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday, excluding legal holidays. The telephone number of the EPA/DC Public Reading room is (202) 566-1744, and the telephone number for the OPPT Docket is (202) 566-0280. For information on the availability of this material at NARA, visit www.archives.gov/federal-register/cfr/ibr-locations or email fr.inspection@nara.gov. The material may be obtained from the following sources:
(a) ASTM. ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Dr., P.O. Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959; (877) 909-ASTM; www.astm.org.
(1) ASTM E1728/E1728M-20, Standard Practice for Collection of Settled Dust Samples Using Wipe Sampling Methods for Subsequent Lead Determination, Approved January 1, 2020; IBR approved for § 745.63.
(2) ASTM E1792-20, Standard Specification for Wipe Sampling Materials for Lead in Surface Dust, Approved September 1, 2020; IBR approved for § 745.63.
(b) [Reserved]
§ 745.80   Purpose.
This subpart contains regulations developed under sections 402 and 406 of the Toxic Substances Control Act (15 U.S.C. 2682 and 2686) and applies to all renovations performed for compensation in target housing and child-occupied facilities. The purpose of this subpart is to ensure the following:
(a) Owners and occupants of target housing and child-occupied facilities receive information on lead-based paint hazards before these renovations begin; and
(b) Individuals performing renovations regulated in accordance with § 745.82 are properly trained; renovators and firms performing these renovations are certified; and the work practices in § 745.85 are followed during these renovations.
§ 745.81   Effective dates.
(a) Training, certification and accreditation requirements and work practice standards. The training, certification and accreditation requirements and work practice standards in this subpart are applicable in any State or Indian Tribal area that does not have a renovation program that is authorized under subpart Q of this part. The training, certification and accreditation requirements and work practice standards in this subpart will become effective as follows:
(1) Training programs. Effective June 23, 2008, no training program may provide, offer, or claim to provide training or refresher training for EPA certification as a renovator or a dust sampling technician without accreditation from EPA under § 745.225. Training programs may apply for accreditation under § 745.225 beginning April 22, 2009.
(2) Firms. (i) Firms may apply for certification under § 745.89 beginning October 22, 2009.
(ii) On or after April 22, 2010, no firm may perform, offer, or claim to perform renovations without certification from EPA under § 745.89 in target housing or child-occupied facilities, unless the renovation qualifies for one of the exceptions identified in § 745.82(a) or (c).
(3) Individuals. On or after April 22, 2010, all renovations must be directed by renovators certified in accordance with § 745.90(a) and performed by certified renovators or individuals trained in accordance with § 745.90(b)(2) in target housing or child-occupied facilities, unless the renovation qualifies for one of the exceptions identified in § 745.82(a) or (c).
(4) Work practices. On or after July 6, 2010, all renovations must be performed in accordance with the work practice standards in § 745.85 and the associated recordkeeping requirements in § 745.86(b)(1) and (b)(6) in target housing or child-occupied facilities, unless the renovation qualifies for the exception identified in § 745.82(a).
(5) The suspension and revocation provisions in § 745.91 are effective April 22, 2010.
(b) Renovation-specific pamphlet. On or after December 22, 2008, renovators or firms performing renovations in States and Indian Tribal areas without an authorized program must provide owners and occupants the following EPA pamphlet: Renovate Right: Important Lead Hazard Information for Families, Child Care Providers and Schools.
(c) Pre-Renovation Education Rule. With the exception of the requirement to use the pamphlet entitled Renovate Right: Important Lead Hazard Information for Families, Child Care Providers and Schools , the provisions of the Pre-Renovation Education Rule in this subpart have been in effect since June 1999.
§ 745.82   Applicability.
(a) This subpart applies to all renovations performed for compensation in target housing and child-occupied facilities, except for the following:
(1) Renovations in target housing or child-occupied facilities in which a written determination has been made by an inspector or risk assessor (certified pursuant to either Federal regulations at § 745.226 or a State or Tribal certification program authorized pursuant to § 745.324) that the components affected by the renovation are free of paint or other surface coatings that contain lead equal to or in excess of 1.0 milligrams/per square centimeter (mg/cm 2 ) or 0.5% by weight, where the firm performing the renovation has obtained a copy of the determination.
(2) Renovations in target housing or child-occupied facilities in which a certified renovator, using an EPA recognized test kit as defined in § 745.83 and following the kit manufacturer's instructions, has tested each component affected by the renovation and determined that the components are free of paint or other surface coatings that contain lead equal to or in excess of 1.0 mg/cm 2 or 0.5% by weight. If the components make up an integrated whole, such as the individual stair treads and risers of a single staircase, the renovator is required to test only one of the individual components, unless the individual components appear to have been repainted or refinished separately.
(3) Renovations in target housing or child-occupied facilities in which a certified renovator has collected a paint chip sample from each painted component affected by the renovation and a laboratory recognized by EPA pursuant to section 405(b) of TSCA as being capable of performing analyses for lead compounds in paint chip samples has determined that the samples are free of paint or other surface coatings that contain lead equal to or in excess of 1.0 mg/cm 2 or 0.5% by weight. If the components make up an integrated whole, such as the individual stair treads and risers of a single staircase, the renovator is required to test only one of the individual components, unless the individual components appear to have been repainted or refinished separately.
(b) The information distribution requirements in § 745.84 do not apply to emergency renovations, which are renovation activities that were not planned but result from a sudden, unexpected event (such as non-routine failures of equipment) that, if not immediately attended to, presents a safety or public health hazard, or threatens equipment and/or property with significant damage. Interim controls performed in response to an elevated blood lead level in a resident child are also emergency renovations. Emergency renovations other than interim controls are also exempt from the warning sign, containment, waste handling, training, and certification requirements in §§ 745.85, 745.89, and 745.90 to the extent necessary to respond to the emergency. Emergency renovations are not exempt from the cleaning requirements of § 745.85(a)(5), which must be performed by certified renovators or individuals trained in accordance with § 745.90(b)(2), the cleaning verification requirements of § 745.85(b), which must be performed by certified renovators, and the recordkeeping requirements of § 745.86(b)(6) and (b)(7).
§ 745.83   Definitions.
For purposes of this part, the definitions in § 745.103 as well as the following definitions apply:
Administrator means the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency.
Child-occupied facility means a building, or portion of a building, constructed prior to 1978, visited regularly by the same child, under 6 years of age, on at least two different days within any week (Sunday through Saturday period), provided that each day's visit lasts at least 3 hours and the combined weekly visits last at least 6 hours, and the combined annual visits last at least 60 hours. Child-occupied facilities may include, but are not limited to, day care centers, preschools and kindergarten classrooms. Child-occupied facilities may be located in target housing or in public or commercial buildings. With respect to common areas in public or commercial buildings that contain child-occupied facilities, the child-occupied facility encompasses only those common areas that are routinely used by children under age 6, such as restrooms and cafeterias. Common areas that children under age 6 only pass through, such as hallways, stairways, and garages are not included. In addition, with respect to exteriors of public or commercial buildings that contain child-occupied facilities, the child-occupied facility encompasses only the exterior sides of the building that are immediately adjacent to the child-occupied facility or the common areas routinely used by children under age 6.
Cleaning verification card means a card developed and distributed, or otherwise approved, by EPA for the purpose of determining, through comparison of wet and dry disposable cleaning cloths with the card, whether post-renovation cleaning has been properly completed.
Component or building component means specific design or structural elements or fixtures of a building or residential dwelling that are distinguished from each other by form, function, and location. These include, but are not limited to, interior components such as: Ceilings, crown molding, walls, chair rails, doors, door trim, floors, fireplaces, radiators and other heating units, shelves, shelf supports, stair treads, stair risers, stair stringers, newel posts, railing caps, balustrades, windows and trim (including sashes, window heads, jambs, sills or stools and troughs), built in cabinets, columns, beams, bathroom vanities, counter tops, and air conditioners; and exterior components such as: Painted roofing, chimneys, flashing, gutters and downspouts, ceilings, soffits, fascias, rake boards, cornerboards, bulkheads, doors and door trim, fences, floors, joists, lattice work, railings and railing caps, siding, handrails, stair risers and treads, stair stringers, columns, balustrades, windowsills or stools and troughs, casings, sashes and wells, and air conditioners.
Dry disposable cleaning cloth means a commercially available dry, electrostatically charged, white disposable cloth designed to be used for cleaning hard surfaces such as uncarpeted floors or counter tops.
Electronic means the submission of an application, payment, or notification using the Agency's Central Data Exchange (CDX), or successor platform.
Firm means a company, partnership, corporation, sole proprietorship or individual doing business, association, or other business entity; a Federal, State, Tribal, or local government agency; or a nonprofit organization.
HEPA vacuum means a vacuum cleaner which has been designed with a high-efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filter as the last filtration stage. A HEPA filter is a filter that is capable of capturing particulates of 0.3 microns with 99.97% efficiency. The vacuum cleaner must be designed so that all the air drawn into the machine is expelled through the HEPA filter with none of the air leaking past it. HEPA vacuums must be operated and maintained in accordance with the manufacturer's instructions.
Interim controls means a set of measures designed to temporarily reduce human exposure or likely exposure to lead-based paint hazards, including specialized cleaning, repairs, maintenance, painting, temporary containment, ongoing monitoring of lead-based paint hazards or potential hazards, and the establishment and operation of management and resident education programs.
Minor repair and maintenance activities are activities, including minor heating, ventilation or air conditioning work, electrical work, and plumbing, that disrupt 6 square feet or less of painted surface per room for interior activities or 20 square feet or less of painted surface for exterior activities where none of the work practices prohibited or restricted by § 745.85(a)(3) are used and where the work does not involve window replacement or demolition of painted surface areas. When removing painted components, or portions of painted components, the entire surface area removed is the amount of painted surface disturbed. Jobs, other than emergency renovations, performed in the same room within the same 30 days must be considered the same job for the purpose of determining whether the job is a minor repair and maintenance activity.
Painted surface means a component surface covered in whole or in part with paint or other surface coatings.
Pamphlet means the EPA pamphlet titled Renovate Right: Important Lead Hazard Information for Families, Child Care Providers and Schools developed under section 406(a) of TSCA for use in complying with section 406(b) of TSCA, or any State or Tribal pamphlet approved by EPA pursuant to 40 CFR 745.326 that is developed for the same purpose. This includes reproductions of the pamphlet when copied in full and without revision or deletion of material from the pamphlet (except for the addition or revision of State or local sources of information). Before December 22, 2008, the term “pamphlet” also means any pamphlet developed by EPA under section 406(a) of TSCA or any State or Tribal pamphlet approved by EPA pursuant to § 745.326.
Person means any natural or judicial person including any individual, corporation, partnership, or association; any Indian Tribe, State, or political subdivision thereof; any interstate body; and any department, agency, or instrumentality of the Federal Government.
Recognized test kit means a commercially available kit recognized by EPA under § 745.88 as being capable of allowing a user to determine the presence of lead at levels equal to or in excess of 1.0 milligrams per square centimeter, or more than 0.5% lead by weight, in a paint chip, paint powder, or painted surface.
Renovation means the modification of any existing structure, or portion thereof, that results in the disturbance of painted surfaces, unless that activity is performed as part of an abatement as defined by this part (40 CFR 745.223). The term renovation includes (but is not limited to): The removal, modification or repair of painted surfaces or painted components (e.g., modification of painted doors, surface restoration, window repair, surface preparation activity (such as sanding, scraping, or other such activities that may generate paint dust)); the removal of building components (e.g., walls, ceilings, plumbing, windows); weatherization projects (e.g., cutting holes in painted surfaces to install blown-in insulation or to gain access to attics, planing thresholds to install weather-stripping), and interim controls that disturb painted surfaces. A renovation performed for the purpose of converting a building, or part of a building, into target housing or a child-occupied facility is a renovation under this subpart. The term renovation does not include minor repair and maintenance activities.
Renovator means an individual who either performs or directs workers who perform renovations. A certified renovator is a renovator who has successfully completed a renovator course accredited by EPA or an EPA-authorized State or Tribal program.
Training hour means at least 50 minutes of actual learning, including, but not limited to, time devoted to lecture, learning activities, small group activities, demonstrations, evaluations, and hands-on experience.
Wet disposable cleaning cloth means a commercially available, pre-moistened white disposable cloth designed to be used for cleaning hard surfaces such as uncarpeted floors or counter tops.
Vertical containment means a vertical barrier consisting of plastic sheeting or other impermeable material over scaffolding or a rigid frame, or an equivalent system of containing the work area. Vertical containment is required for some exterior renovations but it may be used on any renovation.
Wet mopping system means a device with the following characteristics: A long handle, a mop head designed to be used with disposable absorbent cleaning pads, a reservoir for cleaning solution, and a built-in mechanism for distributing or spraying the cleaning solution onto a floor, or a method of equivalent efficacy.
Work area means the area that the certified renovator establishes to contain the dust and debris generated by a renovation.
§ 745.84   Information distribution requirements.
(a) Renovations in dwelling units. No more than 60 days before beginning renovation activities in any residential dwelling unit of target housing, the firm performing the renovation must:
(1) Provide the owner of the unit with the pamphlet, and comply with one of the following:
(i) Obtain, from the owner, a written acknowledgment that the owner has received the pamphlet.
(ii) Obtain a certificate of mailing at least 7 days prior to the renovation.
(2) In addition to the requirements in paragraph (a)(1) of this section, if the owner does not occupy the dwelling unit, provide an adult occupant of the unit with the pamphlet, and comply with one of the following:
(i) Obtain, from the adult occupant, a written acknowledgment that the occupant has received the pamphlet; or certify in writing that a pamphlet has been delivered to the dwelling and that the firm performing the renovation has been unsuccessful in obtaining a written acknowledgment from an adult occupant. Such certification must include the address of the unit undergoing renovation, the date and method of delivery of the pamphlet, names of the persons delivering the pamphlet, reason for lack of acknowledgment (e.g., occupant refuses to sign, no adult occupant available), the signature of a representative of the firm performing the renovation, and the date of signature.
(ii) Obtain a certificate of mailing at least 7 days prior to the renovation.
(b) Renovations in common areas. No more than 60 days before beginning renovation activities in common areas of multi-unit target housing, the firm performing the renovation must:
(1) Provide the owner with the pamphlet, and comply with one of the following:
(i) Obtain, from the owner, a written acknowledgment that the owner has received the pamphlet.
(ii) Obtain a certificate of mailing at least 7 days prior to the renovation.
(2) Comply with one of the following. (i) Notify in writing, or ensure written notification of, each affected unit and make the pamphlet available upon request prior to the start of renovation. Such notification shall be accomplished by distributing written notice to each affected unit. The notice shall describe the general nature and locations of the planned renovation activities; the expected starting and ending dates; and a statement of how the occupant can obtain the pamphlet and a copy of the records required by § 745.86(c) and (d), at no cost to the occupants, or
(ii) While the renovation is ongoing, post informational signs describing the general nature and locations of the renovation and the anticipated completion date. These signs must be posted in areas where they are likely to be seen by the occupants of all of the affected units. The signs must be accompanied by a posted copy of the pamphlet or information on how interested occupants can review a copy of the pamphlet or obtain a copy from the renovation firm at no cost to occupants. The signs must also include information on how interested occupants can review a copy of the records required by § 745.86(c) and (d) or obtain a copy from the renovation firm at no cost to the occupants.
(3) Prepare, sign, and date a statement describing the steps performed to notify all occupants of the intended renovation activities and to provide the pamphlet.
(4) If the scope, locations, or expected starting and ending dates of the planned renovation activities change after the initial notification, and the firm provided written initial notification to each affected unit, the firm performing the renovation must provide further written notification to the owners and occupants providing revised information on the ongoing or planned activities. This subsequent notification must be provided before the firm performing the renovation initiates work beyond that which was described in the original notice.
(c) Renovations in child-occupied facilities. No more than 60 days before beginning renovation activities in any child-occupied facility, the firm performing the renovation must:
(1)(i) Provide the owner of the building with the pamphlet, and comply with one of the following:
(A) Obtain, from the owner, a written acknowledgment that the owner has received the pamphlet.
(B) Obtain a certificate of mailing at least 7 days prior to the renovation.
(ii) If the child-occupied facility is not the owner of the building, provide an adult representative of the child-occupied facility with the pamphlet, and comply with one of the following:
(A) Obtain, from the adult representative, a written acknowledgment that the adult representative has received the pamphlet; or certify in writing that a pamphlet has been delivered to the facility and that the firm performing the renovation has been unsuccessful in obtaining a written acknowledgment from an adult representative. Such certification must include the address of the child-occupied facility undergoing renovation, the date and method of delivery of the pamphlet, names of the persons delivering the pamphlet, reason for lack of acknowledgment (e.g., representative refuses to sign), the signature of a representative of the firm performing the renovation, and the date of signature.
(B) Obtain a certificate of mailing at least 7 days prior to the renovation.
(2) Provide the parents and guardians of children using the child-occupied facility with the pamphlet, information describing the general nature and locations of the renovation and the anticipated completion date, and information on how interested parents or guardians of children frequenting the child-occupied facility can review a copy of the records required by § 745.86(c) and (d) or obtain a copy from the renovation firm at no cost to the occupants by complying with one of the following:
(i) Mail or hand-deliver the pamphlet and the renovation information to each parent or guardian of a child using the child-occupied facility.
(ii) While the renovation is ongoing, post informational signs describing the general nature and locations of the renovation and the anticipated completion date. These signs must be posted in areas where they can be seen by the parents or guardians of the children frequenting the child-occupied facility. The signs must be accompanied by a posted copy of the pamphlet or information on how interested parents or guardians of children frequenting the child-occupied facility can review a copy of the pamphlet or obtain a copy from the renovation firm at no cost to the parents or guardians. The signs must also include information on how interested parents or guardians of children frequenting the child-occupied facility can review a copy of the records required by § 745.86(c) and (d) or obtain a copy from the renovation firm at no cost to the parents or guardians.
(3) The renovation firm must prepare, sign, and date a statement describing the steps performed to notify all parents and guardians of the intended renovation activities and to provide the pamphlet.
(d) Written acknowledgment. The written acknowledgments required by paragraphs (a)(1)(i), (a)(2)(i), (b)(1)(i), (c)(1)(i)(A), and (c)(1)(ii)(A) of this section must:
(1) Include a statement recording the owner or occupant's name and acknowledging receipt of the pamphlet prior to the start of renovation, the address of the unit undergoing renovation, the signature of the owner or occupant as applicable, and the date of signature.
(2) Be either a separate sheet or part of any written contract or service agreement for the renovation.
(3) Be written in the same language as the text of the contract or agreement for the renovation or, in the case of non-owner occupied target housing, in the same language as the lease or rental agreement or the pamphlet.
§ 745.85   Work practice standards.
(a) Standards for renovation activities. Renovations must be performed by certified firms using certified renovators as directed in § 745.89. The responsibilities of certified firms are set forth in § 745.89(d) and the responsibilities of certified renovators are set forth in § 745.90(b).
(1) Occupant protection. Firms must post signs clearly defining the work area and warning occupants and other persons not involved in renovation activities to remain outside of the work area. To the extent practicable, these signs must be in the primary language of the occupants. These signs must be posted before beginning the renovation and must remain in place and readable until the renovation and the post-renovation cleaning verification have been completed. If warning signs have been posted in accordance with 24 CFR 35.1345(b)(2) or 29 CFR 1926.62(m), additional signs are not required by this section.
(2) Containing the work area. Before beginning the renovation, the firm must isolate the work area so that no dust or debris leaves the work area while the renovation is being performed. In addition, the firm must maintain the integrity of the containment by ensuring that any plastic or other impermeable materials are not torn or displaced, and taking any other steps necessary to ensure that no dust or debris leaves the work area while the renovation is being performed. The firm must also ensure that containment is installed in such a manner that it does not interfere with occupant and worker egress in an emergency.
(i) Interior renovations. The firm must:
(A) Remove all objects from the work area, including furniture, rugs, and window coverings, or cover them with plastic sheeting or other impermeable material with all seams and edges taped or otherwise sealed.
(B) Close and cover all ducts opening in the work area with taped-down plastic sheeting or other impermeable material.
(C) Close windows and doors in the work area. Doors must be covered with plastic sheeting or other impermeable material. Doors used as an entrance to the work area must be covered with plastic sheeting or other impermeable material in a manner that allows workers to pass through while confining dust and debris to the work area.
(D) Cover the floor surface, including installed carpet, with taped-down plastic sheeting or other impermeable material in the work area 6 feet beyond the perimeter of surfaces undergoing renovation or a sufficient distance to contain the dust, whichever is greater. Floor containment measures may stop at the edge of the vertical barrier when using a vertical containment system consisting of impermeable barriers that extend from the floor to the ceiling and are tightly sealed at joints with the floor, ceiling and walls.
(E) Use precautions to ensure that all personnel, tools, and other items, including the exteriors of containers of waste, are free of dust and debris before leaving the work area.
(ii) Exterior renovations. The firm must:
(A) Close all doors and windows within 20 feet of the renovation. On multi-story buildings, close all doors and windows within 20 feet of the renovation on the same floor as the renovation, and close all doors and windows on all floors below that are the same horizontal distance from the renovation.
(B) Ensure that doors within the work area that will be used while the job is being performed are covered with plastic sheeting or other impermeable material in a manner that allows workers to pass through while confining dust and debris to the work area.
(C) Cover the ground with plastic sheeting or other disposable impermeable material extending 10 feet beyond the perimeter of surfaces undergoing renovation or a sufficient distance to collect falling paint debris, whichever is greater, unless the property line prevents 10 feet of such ground covering. Ground containment measures may stop at the edge of the vertical barrier when using a vertical containment system.
(D) If the renovation will affect surfaces within 10 feet of the property line, the renovation firm must erect vertical containment or equivalent extra precautions in containing the work area to ensure that dust and debris from the renovation does not contaminate adjacent buildings or migrate to adjacent properties. Vertical containment or equivalent extra precautions in containing the work area may also be necessary in other situations in order to prevent contamination of other buildings, other areas of the property, or adjacent buildings or properties.
(3) Prohibited and restricted practices. The work practices listed below are prohibited or restricted during a renovation as follows:
(i) Open-flame burning or torching of painted surfaces is prohibited.
(ii) The use of machines designed to remove paint or other surface coatings through high speed operation such as sanding, grinding, power planing, needle gun, abrasive blasting, or sandblasting, is prohibited on painted surfaces unless such machines have shrouds or containment systems and are equipped with a HEPA vacuum attachment to collect dust and debris at the point of generation. Machines must be operated so that no visible dust or release of air occurs outside the shroud or containment system.
(iii) Operating a heat gun on painted surfaces is permitted only at temperatures below 1,100 degrees Fahrenheit.
(4) Waste from renovations. (i) Waste from renovation activities must be contained to prevent releases of dust and debris before the waste is removed from the work area for storage or disposal. If a chute is used to remove waste from the work area, it must be covered.
(ii) At the conclusion of each work day and at the conclusion of the renovation, waste that has been collected from renovation activities must be stored under containment, in an enclosure, or behind a barrier that prevents release of dust and debris out of the work area and prevents access to dust and debris.
(iii) When the firm transports waste from renovation activities, the firm must contain the waste to prevent release of dust and debris.
(5) Cleaning the work area. After the renovation has been completed, the firm must clean the work area until no dust, debris or residue remains.
(i) Interior and exterior renovations. The firm must:
(A) Collect all paint chips and debris and, without dispersing any of it, seal this material in a heavy-duty bag.
(B) Remove the protective sheeting. Mist the sheeting before folding it, fold the dirty side inward, and either tape shut to seal or seal in heavy-duty bags. Sheeting used to isolate contaminated rooms from non-contaminated rooms must remain in place until after the cleaning and removal of other sheeting. Dispose of the sheeting as waste.
(ii) Additional cleaning for interior renovations. The firm must clean all objects and surfaces in the work area and within 2 feet of the work area in the following manner, cleaning from higher to lower:
(A) Walls. Clean walls starting at the ceiling and working down to the floor by either vacuuming with a HEPA vacuum or wiping with a damp cloth.
(B) Remaining surfaces. Thoroughly vacuum all remaining surfaces and objects in the work area, including furniture and fixtures, with a HEPA vacuum. The HEPA vacuum must be equipped with a beater bar when vacuuming carpets and rugs.
(C) Wipe all remaining surfaces and objects in the work area, except for carpeted or upholstered surfaces, with a damp cloth. Mop uncarpeted floors thoroughly, using a mopping method that keeps the wash water separate from the rinse water, such as the 2-bucket mopping method, or using a wet mopping system.
(b) Standards for post-renovation cleaning verification —(1) Interiors. (i) A certified renovator must perform a visual inspection to determine whether dust, debris or residue is still present. If dust, debris or residue is present, these conditions must be removed by re-cleaning and another visual inspection must be performed.
(ii) After a successful visual inspection, a certified renovator must:
(A) Verify that each windowsill in the work area has been adequately cleaned, using the following procedure.
( 1 ) Wipe the windowsill with a wet disposable cleaning cloth that is damp to the touch. If the cloth matches or is lighter than the cleaning verification card, the windowsill has been adequately cleaned.
( 2 ) If the cloth does not match and is darker than the cleaning verification card, re-clean the windowsill as directed in paragraphs (a)(5)(ii)(B) and (a)(5)(ii)(C) of this section, then either use a new cloth or fold the used cloth in such a way that an unused surface is exposed, and wipe the surface again. If the cloth matches or is lighter than the cleaning verification card, that windowsill has been adequately cleaned.
( 3 ) If the cloth does not match and is darker than the cleaning verification card, wait for 1 hour or until the surface has dried completely, whichever is longer.
( 4 )After waiting for the windowsill to dry, wipe the windowsill with a dry disposable cleaning cloth. After this wipe, the windowsill has been adequately cleaned.
(B) Wipe uncarpeted floors and countertops within the work area with a wet disposable cleaning cloth. Floors must be wiped using an application device with a long handle and a head to which the cloth is attached. The cloth must remain damp at all times while it is being used to wipe the surface for post-renovation cleaning verification. If the surface within the work area is greater than 40 square feet, the surface within the work area must be divided into roughly equal sections that are each less than 40 square feet. Wipe each such section separately with a new wet disposable cleaning cloth. If the cloth used to wipe each section of the surface within the work area matches the cleaning verification card, the surface has been adequately cleaned.
( 1 ) If the cloth used to wipe a particular surface section does not match the cleaning verification card, re-clean that section of the surface as directed in paragraphs (a)(5)(ii)(B) and (a)(5)(ii)(C) of this section, then use a new wet disposable cleaning cloth to wipe that section again. If the cloth matches the cleaning verification card, that section of the surface has been adequately cleaned.
( 2 ) If the cloth used to wipe a particular surface section does not match the cleaning verification card after the surface has been re-cleaned, wait for 1 hour or until the entire surface within the work area has dried completely, whichever is longer.
( 3 ) After waiting for the entire surface within the work area to dry, wipe each section of the surface that has not yet achieved post-renovation cleaning verification with a dry disposable cleaning cloth. After this wipe, that section of the surface has been adequately cleaned.
(iii) When the work area passes the post-renovation cleaning verification, remove the warning signs.
(2) Exteriors. A certified renovator must perform a visual inspection to determine whether dust, debris or residue is still present on surfaces in and below the work area, including windowsills and the ground. If dust, debris or residue is present, these conditions must be eliminated and another visual inspection must be performed. When the area passes the visual inspection, remove the warning signs.
(c) Optional dust clearance testing. Cleaning verification need not be performed if the contract between the renovation firm and the person contracting for the renovation or another Federal, State, Territorial, Tribal, or local law or regulation requires:
(1) The renovation firm to perform dust clearance sampling at the conclusion of a renovation covered by this subpart.
(2) The dust clearance samples are required to be collected by a certified inspector, risk assessor or dust sampling technician.
(3) The renovation firm is required to re-clean the work area until the dust sample results are below the dust-lead action levels in § 745.227(e)(8) or any applicable State, Territorial, Tribal, or local standard.
(d) Activities conducted after post-renovation cleaning verification. Activities that do not disturb paint, such as applying paint to walls that have already been prepared, are not regulated by this subpart if they are conducted after post-renovation cleaning verification has been performed.
§ 745.86   Recordkeeping and reporting requirements.
(a) Firms performing renovations must retain and, if requested, make available to EPA all records necessary to demonstrate compliance with this subpart for a period of 3 years following completion of the renovation. This 3-year retention requirement does not supersede longer obligations required by other provisions for retaining the same documentation, including any applicable State or Tribal laws or regulations.
(b) Records that must be retained pursuant to paragraph (a) of this section shall include (where applicable):
(1) Records or reports certifying that a determination had been made that lead-based paint was not present on the components affected by the renovation, as described in § 745.82(a). These records or reports include:
(i) Reports prepared by a certified inspector or certified risk assessor (certified pursuant to either Federal regulations at § 745.226 or an EPA-authorized State or Tribal certification program).
(ii) Records prepared by a certified renovator after using EPA-recognized test kits, including an identification of the manufacturer and model of any test kits used, a description of the components that were tested including their locations, and the result of each test kit used.
(iii) Records prepared by a certified renovator after collecting paint chip samples, including a description of the components that were tested including their locations, the name and address of the NLLAP-recognized entity performing the analysis, and the results for each sample.
(2) Signed and dated acknowledgments of receipt as described in § 745.84(a)(1)(i), (a)(2)(i), (b)(1)(i), (c)(1)(i)(A), and (c)(1)(ii)(A).
(3) Certifications of attempted delivery as described in § 745.84(a)(2)(i) and (c)(1)(ii)(A).
(4) Certificates of mailing as described in § 745.84(a)(1)(ii), (a)(2)(ii), (b)(1)(ii), (c)(1)(i)(B), and (c)(1)(ii)(B).
(5) Records of notification activities performed regarding common area renovations, as described in § 745.84(b)(3) and (b)(4), and renovations in child-occupied facilities, as described in § 745.84(c)(2).
(6) Documentation of compliance with the requirements of § 745.85, including documentation that a certified renovator was assigned to the project, that the certified renovator provided on-the-job training for workers used on the project, that the certified renovator performed or directed workers who performed all of the tasks described in § 745.85(a), and that the certified renovator performed the post-renovation cleaning verification described in § 745.85(b). If the renovation firm was unable to comply with all of the requirements of this rule due to an emergency as defined in § 745.82, the firm must document the nature of the emergency and the provisions of the rule that were not followed. This documentation must include a copy of the certified renovator's training certificate, and a certification by the certified renovator assigned to the project that:
(i) Training was provided to workers (topics must be identified for each worker).
(ii) Warning signs were posted at the entrances to the work area.
(iii) If test kits were used, that the specified brand of kits was used at the specified locations and that the results were as specified.
(v) The work area was contained by:
(A) Removing or covering all objects in the work area (interiors).
(B) Closing and covering all HVAC ducts in the work area (interiors).
(C) Closing all windows in the work area (interiors) or closing all windows in and within 20 feet of the work area (exteriors).
(D) Closing and sealing all doors in the work area (interiors) or closing and sealing all doors in and within 20 feet of the work area (exteriors).
(E) Covering doors in the work area that were being used to allow passage but prevent spread of dust.
(F) Covering the floor surface, including installed carpet, with taped-down plastic sheeting or other impermeable material in the work area 6 feet beyond the perimeter of surfaces undergoing renovation or a sufficient distance to contain the dust, whichever is greater (interiors) or covering the ground with plastic sheeting or other disposable impermeable material anchored to the building extending 10 feet beyond the perimeter of surfaces undergoing renovation or a sufficient distance to collect falling paint debris, whichever is greater, unless the property line prevents 10 feet of such ground covering, weighted down by heavy objects (exteriors).
(G) Installing (if necessary) vertical containment to prevent migration of dust and debris to adjacent property (exteriors).
(iv) If paint chip samples were collected, that the samples were collected at the specified locations, that the specified NLLAP-recognized laboratory analyzed the samples, and that the results were as specified.
(vi) Waste was contained on-site and while being transported off-site.
(vii) The work area was properly cleaned after the renovation by:
(A) Picking up all chips and debris, misting protective sheeting, folding it dirty side inward, and taping it for removal.
(B) Cleaning the work area surfaces and objects using a HEPA vacuum and/or wet cloths or mops (interiors).
(viii) The certified renovator performed the post-renovation cleaning verification (the results of which must be briefly described, including the number of wet and dry cloths used).
(c)(1) When the final invoice for the renovation is delivered or within 30 days of the completion of the renovation, whichever is earlier, the renovation firm must provide information pertaining to compliance with this subpart to the following persons:
(i) The owner of the building; and, if different,
(ii) An adult occupant of the residential dwelling, if the renovation took place within a residential dwelling, or an adult representative of the child-occupied facility, if the renovation took place within a child-occupied facility.
(2) When performing renovations in common areas of multi-unit target housing, renovation firms must post the information required by this subpart or instructions on how interested occupants can obtain a copy of this information. This information must be posted in areas where it is likely to be seen by the occupants of all of the affected units.
(3) The information required to be provided by paragraph (c) of this section may be provided by completing the sample form titled “Sample Renovation Recordkeeping Checklist” or a similar form containing the test kit information required by § 745.86(b)(1)(ii) and the training and work practice compliance information required by § 745.86(b)(6).
(d) If dust clearance sampling is performed in lieu of cleaning verification as permitted by § 745.85(c), the renovation firm must provide, when the final invoice for the renovation is delivered or within 30 days of the completion of the renovation, whichever is earlier, a copy of the dust sampling report to:
(1) The owner of the building; and, if different,
(2) An adult occupant of the residential dwelling, if the renovation took place within a residential dwelling, or an adult representative of the child-occupied facility, if the renovation took place within a child-occupied facility.
(3) When performing renovations in common areas of multi-unit target housing, renovation firms must post these dust sampling reports or information on how interested occupants of the housing being renovated can obtain a copy of the report. This information must be posted in areas where they are likely to be seen by the occupants of all of the affected units.
§ 745.87   Enforcement and inspections.
(a) Failure or refusal to comply with any provision of this subpart is a violation of TSCA section 409 (15 U.S.C. 2689).
(b) Failure or refusal to establish and maintain records or to make available or permit access to or copying of records, as required by this subpart, is a violation of TSCA sections 15 and 409 (15 U.S.C. 2614 and 2689).
(c) Failure or refusal to permit entry or inspection as required by 40 CFR 745.87 and TSCA section 11 (15 U.S.C. 2610) is a violation of sections 15 and 409 (15 U.S.C. 2614 and 2689).
(d) Violators may be subject to civil and criminal sanctions pursuant to TSCA section 16 (15 U.S.C. 2615) for each violation.
(e) Lead-based paint is assumed to be present at renovations covered by this subpart. EPA may conduct inspections and issue subpoenas pursuant to the provisions of TSCA section 11 (15 U.S.C. 2610) to ensure compliance with this subpart.
§ 745.88   Recognized test kits.
(a) Effective June 23, 2008, EPA recognizes the test kits that have been determined by National Institute of Standards and Technology research to meet the negative response criteria described in paragraph (c)(1) of this section. This recognition will last until EPA publicizes its recognition of the first test kit that meets both the negative response and positive response criteria in paragraph (c) of this section.
(b) No other test kits will be recognized until they are tested through EPA's Environmental Technology Verification Program or other equivalent EPA approved testing program.
(1) Effective September 1, 2008, to initiate the testing process, a test kit manufacturer must submit a sufficient number of kits, along with the instructions for using the kits, to EPA. The test kit manufacturer should first visit the following website for information on where to apply: http://www.epa.gov/etv/howtoapply.html.
(2) After the kit has been tested through the Environmental Technology Verification Program or other equivalent approved EPA testing program, EPA will review the report to determine whether the required criteria have been met.
(3) Before September 1, 2010, test kits must meet only the negative response criteria in paragraph (c)(1) of this section. The recognition of kits that meet only this criteria will last until EPA publicizes its recognition of the first test kits that meets both of the criteria in paragraph (c) of this section.
(4) After September 1, 2010, test kits must meet both of the criteria in paragraph (c) of this section.
(5) If the report demonstrates that the kit meets the required criteria, EPA will issue a notice of recognition to the kit manufacturer, provide them with the report, and post the information on EPA's website.
(6) If the report demonstrates that the kit does not meet the required criteria, EPA will notify the kit manufacturer and provide them with the report.
(c) Response criteria —(1) Negative response criteria. For paint containing lead at or above the regulated level, 1.0 mg/cm 2 or 0.5% by weight, a demonstrated probability (with 95% confidence) of a negative response less than or equal to 5% of the time.
(2) Positive response criteria. For paint containing lead below the regulated level, 1.0 mg/cm 2 or 0.5% by weight, a demonstrated probability (with 95% confidence) of a positive response less than or equal to 10% of the time.
§ 745.89   Firm certification.
(a) Initial certification. (1) Firms that perform renovations for compensation must electronically apply to EPA for certification to perform renovations or dust sampling. To apply, a firm must submit to EPA a completed “Application for Firms,” signed by an authorized agent of the firm, and pay electronically at least the correct amount of fees. If a firm pays more than the correct amount of fees, EPA will reimburse the firm for the excess amount.
(2) After EPA receives a firm's application, EPA will take one of the following actions within 90 days of the date the application is received:
(i) EPA will approve a firm's application if EPA determines that it is complete and that the environmental compliance history of the firm, its principals, or its key employees does not show an unwillingness or inability to maintain compliance with environmental statutes or regulations. An application is complete if it contains all of the information requested on the form and includes at least the correct amount of fees. When EPA approves a firm's application, EPA will issue the firm a certificate with an expiration date not more than 5 years from the date the application is approved. EPA certification allows the firm to perform renovations covered by this section in any State or Indian Tribal area that does not have a renovation program that is authorized under subpart Q of this part.
(ii) EPA will request a firm to supplement its application if EPA determines that the application is incomplete. If EPA requests a firm to supplement its application, the firm must submit the requested information or pay the additional fees within 30 days of the date of the request.
(iii) EPA will not approve a firm's application if the firm does not supplement its application in accordance with paragraph (a)(2)(ii) of this section or if EPA determines that the environmental compliance history of the firm, its principals, or its key employees demonstrates an unwillingness or inability to maintain compliance with environmental statutes or regulations. EPA will send the firm a letter giving the reason for not approving the application. EPA will not refund the application fees. A firm may reapply for certification at any time by filing a new, complete application that includes the correct amount of fees.
(b) Re-certification. To maintain its certification, a firm must be re-certified by EPA every 5 years.
(1) Timely and complete application. To be re-certified, a firm must submit a complete electronic application for re-certification. A complete application for re-certification includes a completed “Application for Firms” which contains all of the information requested by the form and is signed by an authorized agent of the firm, noting on the form that it is submitted as a re-certification. A complete application must also include at least the correct amount of fees. If a firm pays more than the correct amount of fees, EPA will reimburse the firm for the excess amount.
(i) An application for re-certification is timely if it is electronically submitted 90 days or more before the date the firm's current certification expires. If the firm's application is complete and timely, the firm's current certification will remain in effect until its expiration date or until EPA has made a final decision to approve or disapprove the re-certification application, whichever is later.
(ii) If the firm submits a complete re-certification application less than 90 days before its current certification expires, and EPA does not approve the application before the expiration date, the firm's current certification will expire and the firm will not be able to conduct renovations until EPA approves its re-certification application.
(iii) If the firm fails to obtain recertification before the firm's current certification expires, the firm must not perform renovations or dust sampling until it is certified anew pursuant to paragraph (a) of this section.
(2) EPA action on an application. After EPA receives a firm's application for re-certification, EPA will review the application and take one of the following actions within 90 days of receipt:
(i) EPA will approve a firm's application if EPA determines that it is timely and complete and that the environmental compliance history of the firm, its principals, or its key employees does not show an unwillingness or inability to maintain compliance with environmental statutes or regulations. When EPA approves a firm's application for re-certification, EPA will issue the firm a new certificate with an expiration date 5 years from the date that the firm's current certification expires. EPA certification allows the firm to perform renovations or dust sampling covered by this section in any State or Indian Tribal area that does not have a renovation program that is authorized under subpart Q of this part.
(ii) EPA will request a firm to supplement its application if EPA determines that the application is incomplete.
(iii) EPA will not approve a firm's application if it is not received or is not complete as of the date that the firm's current certification expires, or if EPA determines that the environmental compliance history of the firm, its principals, or its key employees demonstrates an unwillingness or inability to maintain compliance with environmental statutes or regulations. EPA will send the firm a letter giving the reason for not approving the application. EPA will not refund the application fees. A firm may reapply for certification at any time by filing a new application and paying the correct amount of fees.
(c) Amendment of certification. A firm must amend its certification within 90 days of the date a change occurs to information included in the firm's most recent application. If the firm fails to amend its certification within 90 days of the date the change occurs, the firm may not perform renovations or dust sampling until its certification is amended.
(1) To amend certification, a firm must electronically submit a completed “Application for Firms,” signed by an authorized agent of the firm, noting on the form that it is submitted as an amendment and indicating the information that has changed. The firm must also pay at least the correct amount of fees.
(2) If additional information is needed to process the amendment, or the firm did not pay the correct amount of fees, EPA will request the firm to submit the necessary information or fees. The firm's certification is not amended until the firm complies with the request.
(3) Amending a certification does not affect the certification expiration date.
(d) Firm responsibilities. Firms performing renovations must ensure that:
(1) All individuals performing renovation activities on behalf of the firm are either certified renovators or have been trained by a certified renovator in accordance with § 745.90.
(2) A certified renovator is assigned to each renovation performed by the firm and discharges all of the certified renovator responsibilities identified in § 745.90.
(3) All renovations performed by the firm are performed in accordance with the work practice standards in § 745.85.
(4) The pre-renovation education requirements of § 745.84 have been performed.
(5) The recordkeeping requirements of § 745.86 are met.
§ 745.90   Renovator certification and dust sampling technician certification.
(a) Renovator certification and dust sampling technician certification. (1) To become a certified renovator or certified dust sampling technician, an individual must successfully complete the appropriate course accredited by EPA under § 745.225 or by a State or Tribal program that is authorized under subpart Q of this part. The course completion certificate serves as proof of certification. EPA renovator certification allows the certified individual to perform renovations covered by this section in any State or Indian Tribal area that does not have a renovation program that is authorized under subpart Q of this part. EPA dust sampling technician certification allows the certified individual to perform dust clearance sampling under § 745.85(c) in any State or Indian Tribal area that does not have a renovation program that is authorized under subpart Q of this part.
(2) Individuals who have successfully completed an accredited abatement worker or supervisor course, or individuals who successfully completed an EPA, HUD, or EPA/HUD model renovation training course before October 4, 2011 may take an accredited refresher renovator training course that includes hands-on training in lieu of the initial renovator training course to become a certified renovator.
(3) Individuals who have successfully completed an accredited lead-based paint inspector or risk assessor course before October 4, 2011 may take an accredited refresher dust sampling technician course in lieu of the initial training to become a certified dust sampling technician. Individuals who are currently certified as lead-based paint inspectors or risk assessors may act as certified dust sampling technicians without further training.
(4) To maintain renovator certification or dust sampling technician certification, an individual must complete a renovator or dust sampling technician refresher course accredited by EPA under § 745.225 or by a State or Tribal program that is authorized under Subpart Q of this part within 5 years of the date the individual completed the initial course described in paragraph (a)(1) of this section. If the individual does not complete a refresher course within this time, the individual must re-take the initial course to become certified again. Individuals who take a renovator refresher course that does not include hands-on training will be certified for 3 years from the date they complete the training. Individuals who take a refresher training course that includes hands-on training will be certified for 5 years. Individuals who take the renovator refresher without hands-on training must, for their next refresher course, take a refresher course that includes hands-on training to maintain renovator certification.
(b) Renovator responsibilities. Certified renovators are responsible for ensuring compliance with § 745.85 at all renovations to which they are assigned. A certified renovator:
(1) Must perform all of the tasks described in § 745.85(b) and must either perform or direct workers who perform all of the tasks described in § 745.85(a).
(2) Must provide training to workers on the work practices required by § 745.85(a) that they will be using in performing their assigned tasks.
(3) Must be physically present at the work site when the signs required by § 745.85(a)(1) are posted, while the work area containment required by § 745.85(a)(2) is being established, and while the work area cleaning required by § 745.85(a)(5) is performed.
(4) Must regularly direct work being performed by other individuals to ensure that the work practices required by § 745.85(a) are being followed, including maintaining the integrity of the containment barriers and ensuring that dust or debris does not spread beyond the work area.
(5) Must be available, either on-site or by telephone, at all times that renovations are being conducted.
(6) When requested by the party contracting for renovation services, must use an acceptable test kit to determine whether components to be affected by the renovation contain lead-based paint.
(7) Must have with them at the work site copies of their initial course completion certificate and their most recent refresher course completion certificate.
(8) Must prepare the records required by § 745.86(b)(1)(ii) and (6).
(c) Dust sampling technician responsibilities. When performing optional dust clearance sampling under § 745.85(c), a certified dust sampling technician:
(1) Must collect dust samples in accordance with § 745.227(e)(8), must send the collected samples to a laboratory recognized by EPA under TSCA section 405(b), and must compare the results to the action levels in accordance with § 745.227(e)(8).
(2) Must have with them at the work site copies of their initial course completion certificate and their most recent refresher course completion certificate.
§ 745.91   Suspending, revoking, or modifying an individual's or firm's certification.
(a)(1) Grounds for suspending, revoking, or modifying an individual's certification. EPA may suspend, revoke, or modify an individual's certification if the individual fails to comply with Federal lead-based paint statutes or regulations. EPA may also suspend, revoke, or modify a certified renovator's certification if the renovator fails to ensure that all assigned renovations comply with § 745.85. In addition to an administrative or judicial finding of violation, execution of a consent agreement in settlement of an enforcement action constitutes, for purposes of this section, evidence of a failure to comply with relevant statutes or regulations.
(2) Grounds for suspending, revoking, or modifying a firm's certification. EPA may suspend, revoke, or modify a firm's certification if the firm:
(i) Submits false or misleading information to EPA in its application for certification or re-certification.
(ii) Fails to maintain or falsifies records required in § 745.86.
(iii) Fails to comply, or an individual performing a renovation on behalf of the firm fails to comply, with Federal lead-based paint statutes or regulations. In addition to an administrative or judicial finding of violation, execution of a consent agreement in settlement of an enforcement action constitutes, for purposes of this section, evidence of a failure to comply with relevant statutes or regulations.
(b) Process for suspending, revoking, or modifying certification. (1) Prior to taking action to suspend, revoke, or modify an individual's or firm's certification, EPA will notify the affected entity in writing of the following:
(i) The legal and factual basis for the proposed suspension, revocation, or modification.
(ii) The anticipated commencement date and duration of the suspension, revocation, or modification.
(iii) Actions, if any, which the affected entity may take to avoid suspension, revocation, or modification, or to receive certification in the future.
(iv) The opportunity and method for requesting a hearing prior to final suspension, revocation, or modification.
(2) If an individual or firm requests a hearing, EPA will:
(i) Provide the affected entity an opportunity to offer written statements in response to EPA's assertions of the legal and factual basis for its proposed action.
(ii) Appoint an impartial official of EPA as Presiding Officer to conduct the hearing.
(3) The Presiding Officer will:
(i) Conduct a fair, orderly, and impartial hearing within 90 days of the request for a hearing.
(ii) Consider all relevant evidence, explanation, comment, and argument submitted.
(iii) Notify the affected entity in writing within 90 days of completion of the hearing of his or her decision and order. Such an order is a final agency action which may be subject to judicial review. The order must contain the commencement date and duration of the suspension, revocation, or modification.
(4) If EPA determines that the public health, interest, or welfare warrants immediate action to suspend the certification of any individual or firm prior to the opportunity for a hearing, it will:
(i) Notify the affected entity in accordance with paragraph (b)(1)(i) through (b)(1)(iii) of this section, explaining why it is necessary to suspend the entity's certification before an opportunity for a hearing.
(ii) Notify the affected entity of its right to request a hearing on the immediate suspension within 15 days of the suspension taking place and the procedures for the conduct of such a hearing.
(5) Any notice, decision, or order issued by EPA under this section, any transcript or other verbatim record of oral testimony, and any documents filed by a certified individual or firm in a hearing under this section will be available to the public, except as otherwise provided by section 14 of TSCA or by part 2 of this title. Any such hearing at which oral testimony is presented will be open to the public, except that the Presiding Officer may exclude the public to the extent necessary to allow presentation of information which may be entitled to confidential treatment under section 14 of TSCA or part 2 of this title.
(6) EPA will maintain a publicly available list of entities whose certification has been suspended, revoked, modified, or reinstated.
(7) Unless the decision and order issued under paragraph (b)(3)(iii) of this section specify otherwise:
(i) An individual whose certification has been suspended must take a refresher training course (renovator or dust sampling technician) in order to make his or her certification current.
(ii) An individual whose certification has been revoked must take an initial renovator or dust sampling technician course in order to become certified again.
(iii) A firm whose certification has been revoked must reapply for certification after the revocation ends in order to become certified again. If the firm's certification has been suspended and the suspension ends less than 5 years after the firm was initially certified or re-certified, the firm does not need to do anything to re-activate its certification.
§ 745.92   Fees for the accreditation of renovation and dust sampling technician training and the certification of renovation firms.
(a) Persons who must pay fees. Fees in accordance with paragraph (b) of this section must be paid by:
(1) Training programs —(i) Non-exempt training programs. All non-exempt training programs applying to EPA for the accreditation and re-accreditation of training programs in one or more of the following disciplines: Renovator, dust sampling technician.
(ii) Exemption. No fee shall be imposed on any training program operated by a State, federally recognized Indian Tribe, local government, or non-profit organization. This exemption does not apply to the certification of firms or individuals.
(2) Firms. All firms applying to EPA for certification and re-certification to conduct renovations.
(b) Fee amounts —(1) Certification and accreditation fees. Initial and renewal certification and accreditation fees are specified in the following table:
(2) Lost certificate. A $15 fee will be charged for the replacement of a firm certificate.
(c) Certificate replacement. Firms seeking certificate replacement must:
(1) Complete the applicable portions of the “Application for Firms” in accordance with the instructions provided.
(2) Submit the application and a payment of $15 electronically in accordance with the instructions provided with the application package.
(3) Accreditation or certification amendments. No fee will be charged for accreditation or certification amendments.
(d) Failure to remit fees. (1) EPA will not provide certification, re-certification, accreditation, or re-accreditation for any firm or training program that does not remit fees described in paragraph (b) of this section in accordance with the procedures specified in 40 CFR 745.89.
(2) EPA will not replace a certificate for any firm that does not remit the $15 fee in accordance with the procedures specified in paragraph (c) of this section.
§ 745.100   Purpose.
This subpart implements the provisions of 42 U.S.C. 4852d, which impose certain requirements on the sale or lease of target housing. Under this subpart, a seller or lessor of target housing shall disclose to the purchaser or lessee the presence of any known lead-based paint and/or lead-based paint hazards; provide available records and reports; provide the purchaser or lessee with a lead hazard information pamphlet; give purchasers a 10-day opportunity to conduct a risk assessment or inspection; and attach specific disclosure and warning language to the sales or leasing contract before the purchaser or lessee is obligated under a contract to purchase or lease target housing.
§ 745.101   Scope and applicability.
This subpart applies to all transactions to sell or lease target housing, including subleases, with the exception of the following:
(a) Sales of target housing at foreclosure.
(b) Leases of target housing that have been found to be lead-based paint free by an inspector certified under the Federal certification program or under a federally accredited State or tribal certification program. Until a Federal certification program or federally accredited State certification program is in place within the State, inspectors shall be considered qualified to conduct an inspection for this purpose if they have received certification under any existing State or tribal inspector certification program. The lessor has the option of using the results of additional test(s) by a certified inspector to confirm or refute a prior finding.
(c) Short-term leases of 100 days or less, where no lease renewal or extension can occur.
(d) Renewals of existing leases in target housing in which the lessor has previously disclosed all information required under § 745.107 and where no new information described in § 745.107 has come into the possession of the lessor. For the purposes of this paragraph, renewal shall include both renegotiation of existing lease terms and/or ratification of a new lease.
§ 745.102   Effective dates.
The requirements in this subpart take effect in the following manner:
(a) For owners of more than four residential dwellings, the requirements shall take effect on September 6, 1996.
(b) For owners of one to four residential dwellings, the requirements shall take effect on December 6, 1996.
§ 745.103   Definitions.
The following definitions apply to this subpart.
The Act means the Residential Lead-Based Paint Hazard Reduction Act of 1992, 42 U.S.C. 4852d.
Agent means any party who enters into a contract with a seller or lessor, including any party who enters into a contract with a representative of the seller or lessor, for the purpose of selling or leasing target housing. This term does not apply to purchasers or any purchaser's representative who receives all compensation from the purchaser.
Available means in the possession of or reasonably obtainable by the seller or lessor at the time of the disclosure.
Common area means a portion of a building generally accessible to all residents/users including, but not limited to, hallways, stairways, laundry and recreational rooms, playgrounds, community centers, and boundary fences.
Contract for the purchase and sale of residential real property means any contract or agreement in which one party agrees to purchase an interest in real property on which there is situated one or more residential dwellings used or occupied, or intended to be used or occupied, in whole or in part, as the home or residence of one or more persons.
EPA means the Environmental Protection Agency.
Evaluation means a risk assessment and/or inspection.
Foreclosure means any of the various methods, statutory or otherwise, known in different jurisdictions, of enforcing payment of a debt, by the taking and selling of real property.
Housing for the elderly means retirement communities or similar types of housing reserved for households composed of one or more persons 62 years of age or more at the time of initial occupancy.
HUD means the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development.
Inspection means:
(1) A surface-by-surface investigation to determine the presence of lead-based paint as provided in section 302(c) of the Lead-Based Paint Poisoning and Prevention Act [42 U.S.C. 4822], and
(2) The provision of a report explaining the results of the investigation.
Lead-based paint means paint or other surface coatings that contain lead equal to or in excess of 1.0 milligram per square centimeter or 0.5 percent by weight.
Lead-based paint free housing means target housing that has been found to be free of paint or other surface coatings that contain lead equal to or in excess of 1.0 milligram per square centimeter or 0.5 percent by weight.
Lead-based paint hazard means any condition that causes exposure to lead from lead-contaminated dust, lead-contaminated soil, or lead-contaminated paint that is deteriorated or present in accessible surfaces, friction surfaces, or impact surfaces that would result in adverse human health effects as established by the appropriate Federal agency.
Lessee means any entity that enters into an agreement to lease, rent, or sublease target housing, including but not limited to individuals, partnerships, corporations, trusts, government agencies, housing agencies, Indian tribes, and nonprofit organizations.
Lessor means any entity that offers target housing for lease, rent, or sublease, including but not limited to individuals, partnerships, corporations, trusts, government agencies, housing agencies, Indian tribes, and nonprofit organizations.
Owner means any entity that has legal title to target housing, including but not limited to individuals, partnerships, corporations, trusts, government agencies, housing agencies, Indian tribes, and nonprofit organizations, except where a mortgagee holds legal title to property serving as collateral for a mortgage loan, in which case the owner would be the mortgagor.
Purchaser means an entity that enters into an agreement to purchase an interest in target housing, including but not limited to individuals, partnerships, corporations, trusts, government agencies, housing agencies, Indian tribes, and nonprofit organizations.
Reduction means measures designed to reduce or eliminate human exposure to lead-based paint hazards through methods including interim controls and abatement.
Residential dwelling means:
(1) A single-family dwelling, including attached structures such as porches and stoops; or
(2) A single-family dwelling unit in a structure that contains more than one separate residential dwelling unit, and in which each such unit is used or occupied, or intended to be used or occupied, in whole or in part, as the residence of one or more persons.
Risk assessment means an on-site investigation to determine and report the existence, nature, severity, and location of lead-based paint hazards in residential dwellings, including:
(1) Information gathering regarding the age and history of the housing and occupancy by children under age 6;
(2) Visual inspection;
(3) Limited wipe sampling or other environmental sampling techniques;
(4) Other activity as may be appropriate; and
(5) Provision of a report explaining the results of the investigation.
Secretary means the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development.
Seller means any entity that transfers legal title to target housing, in whole or in part, in return for consideration, including but not limited to individuals, partnerships, corporations, trusts, government agencies, housing agencies, Indian tribes, and nonprofit organizations. The term “seller” also includes:
(1) An entity that transfers shares in a cooperatively owned project, in return for consideration; and
(2) An entity that transfers its interest in a leasehold, in jurisdictions or circumstances where it is legally permissible to separate the fee title from the title to the improvement, in return for consideration.
Target housing means any housing constructed prior to 1978, except housing for the elderly or persons with disabilities or any 0-bedroom dwelling (unless any child who is less than 6 years of age resides or is expected to reside in such housing).
TSCA means the Toxic Substances Control Act, 15 U.S.C. 2601.
0-bedroom dwelling means any residential dwelling in which the living area is not separated from the sleeping area. The term includes efficiencies, studio apartments, dormitory housing, military barracks, and rentals of individual rooms in residential dwellings.
§ 745.107   Disclosure requirements for sellers and lessors.
(a) The following activities shall be completed before the purchaser or lessee is obligated under any contract to purchase or lease target housing that is not otherwise an exempt transaction pursuant to § 745.101. Nothing in this section implies a positive obligation on the seller or lessor to conduct any evaluation or reduction activities.
(1) The seller or lessor shall provide the purchaser or lessee with an EPA-approved lead hazard information pamphlet. Such pamphlets include the EPA document entitled Protect Your Family From Lead in Your Home (EPA #747-K-94-001) or an equivalent pamphlet that has been approved for use in that State by EPA.
(2) The seller or lessor shall disclose to the purchaser or lessee the presence of any known lead-based paint and/or lead-based paint hazards in the target housing being sold or leased. The seller or lessor shall also disclose any additional information available concerning the known lead-based paint and/or lead-based paint hazards, such as the basis for the determination that lead-based paint and/or lead-based paint hazards exist, the location of the lead-based paint and/or lead-based paint hazards, and the condition of the painted surfaces.
(3) The seller or lessor shall disclose to each agent the presence of any known lead-based paint and/or lead-based paint hazards in the target housing being sold or leased and the existence of any available records or reports pertaining to lead-based paint and/or lead-based paint hazards. The seller or lessor shall also disclose any additional information available concerning the known lead-based paint and/or lead-based paint hazards, such as the basis for the determination that lead-based paint and/or lead-based paint hazards exist, the location of the lead-based paint and/or lead-based paint hazards, and the condition of the painted surfaces.
(4) The seller or lessor shall provide the purchaser or lessee with any records or reports available to the seller or lessor pertaining to lead-based paint and/or lead-based paint hazards in the target housing being sold or leased. This requirement includes records or reports regarding common areas. This requirement also includes records or reports regarding other residential dwellings in multifamily target housing, provided that such information is part of an evaluation or reduction of lead-based paint and/or lead-based paint hazards in the target housing as a whole.
(b) If any of the disclosure activities identified in paragraph (a) of this section occurs after the purchaser or lessee has provided an offer to purchase or lease the housing, the seller or lessor shall complete the required disclosure activities prior to accepting the purchaser's or lessee's offer and allow the purchaser or lessee an opportunity to review the information and possibly amend the offer.
§ 745.110   Opportunity to conduct an evaluation.
(a) Before a purchaser is obligated under any contract to purchase target housing, the seller shall permit the purchaser a 10-day period (unless the parties mutually agree, in writing, upon a different period of time) to conduct a risk assessment or inspection for the presence of lead-based paint and/or lead-based paint hazards.
(b) Not withstanding paragraph (a) of this section, a purchaser may waive the opportunity to conduct the risk assessment or inspection by so indicating in writing.
§ 745.113   Certification and acknowledgment of disclosure.
(a) Seller requirements. Each contract to sell target housing shall include an attachment containing the following elements, in the language of the contract (e.g., English, Spanish):
(1) A Lead Warning Statement consisting of the following language:
Every purchaser of any interest in residential real property on which a residential dwelling was built prior to 1978 is notified that such property may present exposure to lead from lead-based paint that may place young children at risk of developing lead poisoning. Lead poisoning in young children may produce permanent neurological damage, including learning disabilities, reduced intelligence quotient, behavioral problems, and impaired memory. Lead poisoning also poses a particular risk to pregnant women. The seller of any interest in residential real property is required to provide the buyer with any information on lead-based paint hazards from risk assessments or inspections in the seller's possession and notify the buyer of any known lead-based paint hazards. A risk assessment or inspection for possible lead-based paint hazards is recommended prior to purchase.
(2) A statement by the seller disclosing the presence of known lead-based paint and/or lead-based paint hazards in the target housing being sold or indicating no knowledge of the presence of lead-based paint and/or lead-based paint hazards. The seller shall also provide any additional information available concerning the known lead-based paint and/or lead-based paint hazards, such as the basis for the determination that lead-based paint and/or lead-based paint hazards exist, the location of the lead-based paint and/or lead-based paint hazards, and the condition of the painted surfaces.
(3) A list of any records or reports available to the seller pertaining to lead-based paint and/or lead-based paint hazards in the housing that have been provided to the purchaser. If no such records or reports are available, the seller shall so indicate.
(4) A statement by the purchaser affirming receipt of the information set out in paragraphs (a)(2) and (3) of this section and the lead hazard information pamphlet required under 15 U.S.C. 2686.
(5) A statement by the purchaser that he/she has either:
(i) Received the opportunity to conduct the risk assessment or inspection required by § 745.110(a); or
(ii) Waived the opportunity.
(6) When one or more agents are involved in the transaction to sell target housing on behalf of the seller, a statement that:
(i) The agent has informed the seller of the seller's obligations under 42 U.S.C. 4852d; and
(ii) The agent is aware of his/her duty to ensure compliance with the requirements of this subpart.
(7) The signatures of the sellers, agents, and purchasers certifying to the accuracy of their statements to the best of their knowledge, along with the dates of signature.
(b) Lessor requirements. Each contract to lease target housing shall include, as an attachment or within the contract, the following elements, in the language of the contract (e.g., English, Spanish):
(1) A Lead Warning Statement with the following language:
Housing built before 1978 may contain lead-based paint. Lead from paint, paint chips, and dust can pose health hazards if not managed properly. Lead exposure is especially harmful to young children and pregnant women. Before renting pre-1978 housing, lessors must disclose the presence of known lead-based paint and/or lead-based paint hazards in the dwelling. Lessees must also receive a federally approved pamphlet on lead poisoning prevention.
(2) A statement by the lessor disclosing the presence of known lead-based paint and/or lead-based paint hazards in the target housing being leased or indicating no knowledge of the presence of lead-based paint and/or lead-based paint hazards. The lessor shall also disclose any additional information available concerning the known lead-based paint and/or lead-based paint hazards, such as the basis for the determination that lead-based paint and/or lead-based paint hazards exist, the location of the lead-based paint and/or lead-based paint hazards, and the condition of the painted surfaces.
(3) A list of any records or reports available to the lessor pertaining to lead-based paint and/or lead-based paint hazards in the housing that have been provided to the lessee. If no such records or reports are available, the lessor shall so indicate.
(4) A statement by the lessee affirming receipt of the information set out in paragraphs (b)(2) and (3) of this section and the lead hazard information pamphlet required under 15 U.S.C. 2686.
(5) When one or more agents are involved in the transaction to lease target housing on behalf of the lessor, a statement that:
(i) The agent has informed the lessor of the lessor as obligations under 42 U.S.C. 4852d; and
(ii) The agent is aware of his/her duty to ensure compliance with the requirements of this subpart.
(6) The signatures of the lessors, agents, and lessees, certifying to the accuracy of their statements, to the best of their knowledge, along with the dates of signature.
(c) Retention of Certification and Acknowledgment Information. (1) The seller, and any agent, shall retain a copy of the completed attachment required under paragraph (a) of this section for no less than 3 years from the completion date of the sale. The lessor, and any agent, shall retain a copy of the completed attachment or lease contract containing the information required under paragraph (b) of this section for no less than 3 years from the commencement of the leasing period.
(2) This recordkeeping requirement is not intended to place any limitations on civil suits under the Act, or to otherwise affect a lessee's or purchaser's rights under the civil penalty provisions of 42 U.S.C. 4852d(b)(3).
(d) The seller, lessor, or agent shall not be responsible for the failure of a purchaser's or lessee's legal representative (where such representative receives all compensation from the purchaser or lessee) to transmit disclosure materials to the purchaser or lessee, provided that all required parties have completed and signed the necessary certification and acknowledgment language required under paragraphs (a) and (b) of this section.
§ 745.115   Agent responsibilities.
(a) Each agent shall ensure compliance with all requirements of this subpart. To ensure compliance, the agent shall:
(1) Inform the seller or lessor of his/her obligations under §§ 745.107, 745.110, and 745.113.
(2) Ensure that the seller or lessor has performed all activities required under §§ 745.107, 745.110, and 745.113, or personally ensure compliance with the requirements of §§ 745.107, 745.110, and 745.113.
(b) If the agent has complied with paragraph (a)(1) of this section, the agent shall not be liable for the failure to disclose to a purchaser or lessee the presence of lead-based paint and/or lead-based paint hazards known by a seller or lessor but not disclosed to the agent.
§ 745.118   Enforcement.
(a) Any person who knowingly fails to comply with any provision of this subpart shall be subject to civil monetary penalties in accordance with the provisions of 42 U.S.C. 3545 and 24 CFR part 30.
(b) The Secretary is authorized to take such action as may be necessary to enjoin any violation of this subpart in the appropriate Federal district court.
(c) Any person who knowingly violates the provisions of this subpart shall be jointly and severally liable to the purchaser or lessee in an amount equal to 3 times the amount of damages incurred by such individual.
(d) In any civil action brought for damages pursuant to 42 U.S.C. 4852d(b)(3), the appropriate court may award court costs to the party commencing such action, together with reasonable attorney fees and any expert witness fees, if that party prevails.
(e) Failure or refusal to comply with § 745.107 (disclosure requirements for sellers and lessors), § 745.110 (opportunity to conduct an evaluation), § 745.113 (certification and acknowledgment of disclosure), or § 745.115 (agent responsibilities) is a violation of 42 U.S.C. 4852d(b)(5) and of TSCA section 409 (15 U.S.C. 2689).
(f) Violators may be subject to civil and criminal sanctions pursuant to TSCA section 16 (15 U.S.C. 2615) for each violation. For purposes of enforcing this subpart, the penalty for each violation applicable under 15 U.S.C. 2615 shall not be more than $11,000 for all violations occuring after July 28, 1997; all violations occuring on or prior to that date are subject to a penalty not more than $10,000. The civil monetary penalty amounts listed in this section may not reflect recent inflation adjustments EPA is required to make. The current maximum and minimum statutory civil penalty amounts are located in § 19.4.
§ 745.119   Impact on State and local requirements.
Nothing in this subpart shall relieve a seller, lessor, or agent from any responsibility for compliance with State or local laws, ordinances, codes, or regulations governing notice or disclosure of known lead-based paint or lead-based paint hazards. Neither HUD nor EPA assumes any responsibility for ensuring compliance with such State or local requirements.
§ 745.220   Scope and applicability.
(a) This subpart contains procedures and requirements for the accreditation of training programs for lead-based paint activities and renovations, procedures and requirements for the certification of individuals and firms engaged in lead-based paint activities, and work practice standards for performing such activities. This subpart also requires that, except as discussed below, all lead-based paint activities, as defined in this subpart, be performed by certified individuals and firms.
(b) This subpart applies to all individuals and firms who are engaged in lead-based paint activities as defined in § 745.223, except persons who perform these activities within residential dwellings that they own, unless the residential dwelling is occupied by a person or persons other than the owner or the owner's immediate family while these activities are being performed, or a child residing in the building has been identified as having an elevated blood lead level. This subpart applies only in those States or Indian Country that do not have an authorized State or Tribal program pursuant to § 745.324 of subpart Q.
(c) Each department, agency, and instrumentality of the executive, legislative, and judicial branches of the Federal Government having jurisdiction over any property or facility, or engaged in any activity resulting, or which may result, in a lead-based paint hazard, and each officer, agent, or employee thereof shall be subject to, and comply with, all Federal, State, interstate, and local requirements, both substantive and procedural, including the requirements of this subpart regarding lead-based paint, lead-based paint activities, and lead-based paint hazards.
(d) While this subpart establishes specific requirements for performing lead-based paint activities should they be undertaken, nothing in this subpart requires that the owner or occupant undertake any particular lead-based paint activity.
§ 745.223   Definitions.
The definitions in subpart A apply to this subpart. In addition, the following definitions apply.
Abatement means any measure or set of measures designed to permanently eliminate lead-based paint hazards, in the case of dust-lead hazards to below the action levels. Abatement includes, but is not limited to:
(1) The removal of paint and dust (in the case of dust-lead hazards to below the action levels), the permanent enclosure or encapsulation of lead-based paint, the replacement of painted surfaces or fixtures, or the removal or permanent covering of soil, when lead-based paint hazards are present in such paint, dust or soil; and
(2) All preparation, cleanup, disposal, and post-abatement testing activities associated with such measures.
(3) Specifically, abatement includes, but is not limited to:
(i) Projects for which there is a written contract or other documentation, which provides that an individual or firm will be conducting activities in or to a residential dwelling or child-occupied facility that:
(A) Shall result in the permanent elimination of lead-based paint hazards, in the case of dust-lead hazards to below the action levels; or
(B) Are designed to permanently eliminate lead-based paint hazards, in the case of dust-lead hazards to below the action levels, and are described in paragraphs (1) and (2) of this definition.
(ii) Projects resulting in the permanent elimination of lead-based paint hazards, in the case of dust-lead hazards to below the action levels, conducted by firms or individuals certified in accordance with § 745.226, unless such projects are covered by paragraph (4) of this definition;
(iii) Projects resulting in the permanent elimination of lead-based paint hazards, in the case of dust-lead hazards to below the action levels, conducted by firms or individuals who, through their company name or promotional literature, represent, advertise, or hold themselves out to be in the business of performing lead-based paint activities as identified and defined by this section, unless such projects are covered by paragraph (4) of this definition; or
(iv) Projects resulting in the permanent elimination of lead-based paint hazards, in the case of dust-lead hazards to below the action levels, that are conducted in response to State or local abatement orders.
(4) Abatement does not include renovation, remodeling, landscaping or other activities, when such activities are not designed to permanently eliminate lead-based paint hazards, in the case of dust-lead hazards to below the action levels, but, instead, are designed to repair, restore, or remodel a given structure or dwelling, even though these activities may incidentally result in a reduction or elimination of lead-based paint hazards. Furthermore, abatement does not include interim controls, operations and maintenance activities, or other measures and activities designed to temporarily, but not permanently, reduce lead-based paint hazards, in the case of dust-lead hazards to below the action levels.
Action levels are the values that indicate the amount of lead in dust on a surface following completion of an abatement activity. To complete abatement when dust sampling is required, values below these levels must be achieved. EPA previously used the term “clearance levels” to refer to these levels.
Accredited training program means a training program that has been accredited by EPA pursuant to § 745.225 to provide training for individuals engaged in lead-based paint activities.
Adequate quality control means a plan or design which ensures the authenticity, integrity, and accuracy of samples, including dust, soil, and paint chip or paint film samples. Adequate quality control also includes provisions for representative sampling.
Business day means Monday through Friday with the exception of Federal holidays.
Certified firm means a company, partnership, corporation, sole proprietorship, association, or other business entity that performs lead-based paint activities to which EPA has issued a certificate of approval pursuant to § 745.226(f).
Certified inspector means an individual who has been trained by an accredited training program, as defined by this section, and certified by EPA pursuant to § 745.226 to conduct inspections. A certified inspector also samples for the presence of lead in dust and soil for the purposes of abatement-related testing.
Certified abatement worker means an individual who has been trained by an accredited training program, as defined by this section, and certified by EPA pursuant to § 745.226 to perform abatements.
Certified project designer means an individual who has been trained by an accredited training program, as defined by this section, and certified by EPA pursuant to § 745.226 to prepare abatement project designs, occupant protection plans, and abatement reports.
Certified risk assessor means an individual who has been trained by an accredited training program, as defined by this section, and certified by EPA pursuant to § 745.226 to conduct risk assessments. A risk assessor also samples for the presence of lead in dust and soil for the purposes of abatement-related testing.
Certified supervisor means an individual who has been trained by an accredited training program, as defined by this section, and certified by EPA pursuant to § 745.226 to supervise and conduct abatements, and to prepare occupant protection plans and abatement reports.
Child-occupied facility means a building, or portion of a building, constructed prior to 1978, visited regularly by the same child, under 6 years of age, on at least two different days within any week (Sunday through Saturday period), provided that each day's visit lasts at least 3 hours and the combined weekly visit lasts at least 6 hours, and the combined annual visits last at least 60 hours. Child-occupied facilities may include, but are not limited to, day-care centers, preschools and kindergarten classrooms.
Common area means a portion of a building that is generally accessible to all occupants. Such an area may include, but is not limited to, hallways, stairways, laundry and recreational rooms, playgrounds, community centers, garages, and boundary fences.
Component or building component means specific design or structural elements or fixtures of a building, residential dwelling, or child-occupied facility that are distinguished from each other by form, function, and location. These include, but are not limited to, interior components such as: ceilings, crown molding, walls, chair rails, doors, door trim, floors, fireplaces, radiators and other heating units, shelves, shelf supports, stair treads, stair risers, stair stringers, newel posts, railing caps, balustrades, windows and trim (including sashes, window heads, jambs, sills or stools and troughs), built in cabinets, columns, beams, bathroom vanities, counter tops, and air conditioners; and exterior components such as: painted roofing, chimneys, flashing, gutters and downspouts, ceilings, soffits, fascias, rake boards, cornerboards, bulkheads, doors and door trim, fences, floors, joists, lattice work, railings and railing caps, siding, handrails, stair risers and treads, stair stringers, columns, balustrades, window sills or stools and troughs, casings, sashes and wells, and air conditioners.
Containment means a process to protect workers and the environment by controlling exposures to the lead-contaminated dust and debris created during an abatement.
Course agenda means an outline of the key topics to be covered during a training course, including the time allotted to teach each topic.
Course test means an evaluation of the overall effectiveness of the training which shall test the trainees' knowledge and retention of the topics covered during the course.
Course test blue print means written documentation identifying the proportion of course test questions devoted to each major topic in the course curriculum.
Deteriorated paint means paint that is cracking, flaking, chipping, peeling, or otherwise separating from the substrate of a building component.
Discipline means one of the specific types or categories of lead-based paint activities identified in this subpart for which individuals may receive training from accredited programs and become certified by EPA. For example, “abatement worker” is a discipline.
Distinct painting history means the application history, as indicated by its visual appearance or a record of application, over time, of paint or other surface coatings to a component or room.
Documented methodologies are methods or protocols used to sample for the presence of lead in paint, dust, and soil.
Electronic means the submission of an application, payment, or notification using the Agency's Central Data Exchange (CDX), or successor platform.
Elevated blood lead level (EBL) means an excessive absorption of lead that is a confirmed concentration of lead in whole blood of 20 µg/dl (micrograms of lead per deciliter of whole blood) for a single venous test or of 15-19 µg/dl in two consecutive tests taken 3 to 4 months apart.
Encapsulant means a substance that forms a barrier between lead-based paint and the environment using a liquid-applied coating (with or without reinforcement materials) or an adhesively bonded covering material.
Encapsulation means the application of an encapsulant.
Enclosure means the use of rigid, durable construction materials that are mechanically fastened to the substrate in order to act as a barrier between lead-based paint and the environment.
Guest instructor means an individual designated by the training program manager or principal instructor to provide instruction specific to the lecture, hands-on activities, or work practice components of a course.
Hands-on skills assessment means an evaluation which tests the trainees' ability to satisfactorily perform the work practices and procedures identified in § 745.225(d), as well as any other skill taught in a training course.
Hazardous waste means any waste as defined in 40 CFR 261.3.
Housing for the elderly means retirement communities or similar types of housing reserved for households composed of one or more persons 62 years of age or more at the time of initial occupancy.
Inspection means a surface-by-surface investigation to determine the presence of lead-based paint and the provision of a report explaining the results of the investigation.
Interim certification means the status of an individual who has successfully completed the appropriate training course in a discipline from an accredited training program, as defined by this section, but has not yet received formal certification in that discipline from EPA pursuant to § 745.226. Interim certifications expire 6 months after the completion of the training course, and is equivalent to a certificate for the 6-month period.
Interim controls means a set of measures designed to temporarily reduce human exposure or likely exposure to lead-based paint hazards, including specialized cleaning, repairs, maintenance, painting, temporary containment, ongoing monitoring of lead-based paint hazards or potential hazards, and the establishment and operation of management and resident education programs.
Lead-based paint means paint or other surface coatings that contain lead equal to or in excess of 1.0 milligrams per square centimeter or more than 0.5 percent by weight.
Lead-based paint activities means, in the case of target housing and child-occupied facilities, inspection, risk assessment, and abatement, as defined in this subpart.
Lead-based paint activities courses means initial and refresher training courses (worker, supervisor, inspector, risk assessor, project designer) provided by accredited training programs.
Lead-based paint hazard means any condition that causes exposure to lead from lead-contaminated dust, lead-contaminated soil, or lead-contaminated paint that is deteriorated or present in accessible surfaces, friction surfaces, or impact surfaces that would result in adverse human health effects as identified by the Administrator pursuant to TSCA section 403.
Lead-hazard screen is a limited risk assessment activity that involves limited paint and dust sampling as described in § 745.227(c).
Living area means any area of a residential dwelling used by one or more children under age 6 including, but not limited to, living rooms, kitchen areas, dens, play rooms, and children's bedrooms.
Local government means a county, city, town, borough, parish, district, association, or other public body (including an agency comprised of two or more of the foregoing entities) created under State law.
Multi-family dwelling means a structure that contains more than one separate residential dwelling unit, which is used or occupied, or intended to be used or occupied, in whole or in part, as the home or residence of one or more persons.
Nonprofit means an entity which has demonstrated to any branch of the Federal Government or to a State, municipal, tribal or territorial government, that no part of its net earnings inure to the benefit of any private shareholder or individual.
Paint in poor condition means more than 10 square feet of deteriorated paint on exterior components with large surface areas; or more than 2 square feet of deteriorated paint on interior components with large surface areas (e.g., walls, ceilings, floors, doors); or more than 10 percent of the total surface area of the component is deteriorated on interior or exterior components with small surface areas (window sills, baseboards, soffits, trim).
Permanently covered soil means soil which has been separated from human contact by the placement of a barrier consisting of solid, relatively impermeable materials, such as pavement or concrete. Grass, mulch, and other landscaping materials are not considered permanent covering.
Person means any natural or judicial person including any individual, corporation, partnership, or association; any Indian Tribe, State, or political subdivision thereof; any interstate body; and any department, agency, or instrumentality of the Federal government.
Principal instructor means the individual who has the primary responsibility for organizing and teaching a particular course.
Recognized laboratory means an environmental laboratory recognized by EPA pursuant to TSCA section 405(b) as being capable of performing an analysis for lead compounds in paint, soil, and dust.
Reduction means measures designed to reduce or eliminate human exposure to lead-based paint hazards through methods including interim controls and abatement.
Residential dwelling means (1) a detached single family dwelling unit, including attached structures such as porches and stoops; or (2) a single family dwelling unit in a structure that contains more than one separate residential dwelling unit, which is used or occupied, or intended to be used or occupied, in whole or in part, as the home or residence of one or more persons.
Risk assessment means (1) an on-site investigation to determine the existence, nature, severity, and location of lead-based paint hazards, and (2) the provision of a report by the individual or the firm conducting the risk assessment, explaining the results of the investigation and options for reducing lead-based paint hazards.
Start date means the first day of any lead-based paint activities training course or lead-based paint abatement activity.
Start date provided to EPA means the start date included in the original notification or the most recent start date provided to EPA in an updated notification.
State means any State of the United States, the District of Columbia, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, the Virgin Islands, Guam, the Canal Zone, American Samoa, the Northern Mariana Islands, or any other territory or possession of the United States.
Target housing means any housing constructed prior to 1978, except housing for the elderly or persons with disabilities or any 0-bedroom dwelling (unless any child who is less than 6 years of age resides or is expected to reside in such housing).
Training curriculum means an established set of course topics for instruction in an accredited training program for a particular discipline designed to provide specialized knowledge and skills.
Training hour means at least 50 minutes of actual learning, including, but not limited to, time devoted to lecture, learning activities, small group activities, demonstrations, evaluations, and/or hands-on experience.
Training manager means the individual responsible for administering a training program and monitoring the performance of principal instructors and guest instructors.
Training provider means any organization or entity accredited under § 745.225 to offer lead-based paint activities courses.
Visual inspection for abatement-related testing means the visual examination of a residential dwelling or a child-occupied facility following an abatement to determine whether or not the abatement has been successfully completed.
Visual inspection for risk assessment means the visual examination of a residential dwelling or a child-occupied facility to determine the existence of deteriorated lead-based paint or other potential sources of lead-based paint hazards.
§ 745.225   Accreditation of training programs: target housing and child occupied facilities.
(a) Scope. (1) A training program may seek accreditation to offer courses in any of the following disciplines: Inspector, risk assessor, supervisor, project designer, abatement worker, renovator, and dust sampling technician. A training program may also seek accreditation to offer refresher courses for each of the above listed disciplines.
(2) Training programs may first apply to EPA for accreditation of their lead-based paint activities courses or refresher courses pursuant to this section on or after August 31, 1998. Training programs may first apply to EPA for accreditation of their renovator or dust sampling technician courses or refresher courses pursuant to this section on or after April 22, 2009.
(3) A training program must not provide, offer, or claim to provide EPA- accredited lead-based paint activities courses without applying for and receiving accreditation from EPA as required under paragraph (b) of this section on or after March 1, 1999. A training program must not provide, offer, or claim to provide EPA-accredited renovator or dust sampling technician courses without applying for and receiving accreditation from EPA as required under paragraph (b) of this section on or after June 23, 2008.
(4) Accredited training programs, training program managers, and principal instructors must comply with all of the requirements of this section including approved terms of the application and all of the requirements and limitations specified in any accreditation documents issued to training programs.
(b) Application process. The following are procedures a training program must follow to receive EPA accreditation to offer lead-based paint activities courses, renovator courses, or dust sampling technician courses:
(1) A training program seeking accreditation shall submit an electronic application to EPA containing the following information:
(i) The training program's name, address, and telephone number.
(ii) A list of courses for which it is applying for accreditation. For the purposes of this section, courses taught in different languages and electronic learning courses are considered different courses, and each must independently meet the accreditation requirements.
(iii) The name and documentation of the qualifications of the training program manager.
(iv) The name(s) and documentation of qualifications of any principal instructor(s).
(v) A statement signed by the training program manager certifying that the training program meets the requirements established in paragraph (c) of this section. If a training program uses EPA-recommended model training materials, or training materials approved by a State or Indian Tribe that has been authorized by EPA under subpart Q of this part, the training program manager shall include a statement certifying that, as well.
(vi) If a training program does not use EPA-recommended model training materials, its application for accreditation shall also include:
(A) A copy of the student and instructor manuals, or other materials to be used for each course.
(B) A copy of the course agenda for each course.
(C) When applying for accreditation of a course in a language other than English, a signed statement from a qualified, independent translator that they had compared the course to the English language version and found the translation to be accurate.
(vii) All training programs shall include in their application for accreditation the following:
(A) A description of the facilities and equipment to be used for lecture and hands-on training.
(B) A copy of the course test blueprint for each course.
(C) A description of the activities and procedures that will be used for conducting the assessment of hands-on skills for each course.
(D) A copy of the quality control plan as described in paragraph (c)(9) of this section.
(2) If a training program meets the requirements in paragraph (c) of this section, then EPA shall approve the application for accreditation no more than 180 days after receiving a complete application from the training program. In the case of approval, a certificate of accreditation shall be sent to the applicant. In the case of disapproval, a letter describing the reasons for disapproval shall be sent to the applicant. Prior to disapproval, EPA may, at its discretion, work with the applicant to address inadequacies in the application for accreditation. EPA may also request additional materials retained by the training program under paragraph (i) of this section. If a training program's application is disapproved, the program may reapply for accreditation at any time.
(3) A training program may apply for accreditation to offer courses or refresher courses in as many disciplines as it chooses. A training program may seek accreditation for additional courses at any time as long as the program can demonstrate that it meets the requirements of this section.
(4) A training program applying for accreditation must submit the appropriate fees in accordance with § 745.238.
(c) Requirements for the accreditation of training programs. A training program accredited by EPA to offer lead-based paint activities courses, renovator courses, or dust sampling technician courses must meet the following requirements:
(1) The training program shall employ a training manager who has:
(i) At least 2 years of experience, education, or training in teaching workers or adults; or
(ii) A bachelor's or graduate degree in building construction technology, engineering, industrial hygiene, safety, public health, education, business administration or program management or a related field; or
(iii) Two years of experience in managing a training program specializing in environmental hazards; and
(iv) Demonstrated experience, education, or training in the construction industry including: Lead or asbestos abatement, painting, carpentry, renovation, remodeling, occupational safety and health, or industrial hygiene.
(2) The training manager shall designate a qualified principal instructor for each course who has:
(i) Demonstrated experience, education, or training in teaching workers or adults; and
(ii) Successfully completed at least 16 hours of any EPA-accredited or EPA-authorized State or Tribal-accredited lead-specific training for instructors of lead-based paint activities courses or 8 hours of any EPA-accredited or EPA-authorized State or Tribal-accredited lead-specific training for instructors of renovator or dust sampling technician courses; and
(iii) Demonstrated experience, education, or training in lead or asbestos abatement, painting, carpentry, renovation, remodeling, occupational safety and health, or industrial hygiene.
(3) The principal instructor shall be responsible for the organization of the course, course delivery, and oversight of the teaching of all course material. The training manager may designate guest instructors as needed for a portion of the course to provide instruction specific to the lecture, hands-on activities, or work practice components of a course. However, the principal instructor is primarily responsible for teaching the course materials and must be present to provide instruction (or oversight of portions of the course taught by guest instructors) for the course for which he has been designated the principal instructor.
(4) The following documents shall be recognized by EPA as evidence that training managers and principal instructors have the education, work experience, training requirements or demonstrated experience, specifically listed in paragraphs (c)(1) and (c)(2) of this section. This documentation must be submitted with the accreditation application and retained by the training program as required by the recordkeeping requirements contained in paragraph (i) of this section. Those documents include the following:
(i) Official academic transcripts or diploma as evidence of meeting the education requirements.
(ii) Resumes, letters of reference, or documentation of work experience, as evidence of meeting the work experience requirements.
(iii) Certificates from train-the-trainer courses and lead-specific training courses, as evidence of meeting the training requirements.
(5) The training program shall ensure the availability of, and provide adequate facilities for, the delivery of the lecture, course test, hands-on training, and assessment activities. This includes providing training equipment that reflects current work practices and maintaining or updating the equipment and facilities as needed.
(6) To become accredited in the following disciplines, the training program shall provide training courses that meet the following training requirements:
(i) The inspector course shall last a minimum of 24 training hours, with a minimum of 8 hours devoted to hands-on training activities. The minimum curriculum requirements for the inspector course are contained in paragraph (d)(1) of this section.
(ii) The risk assessor course shall last a minimum of 16 training hours, with a minimum of 4 hours devoted to hands-on training activities. The minimum curriculum requirements for the risk assessor course are contained in paragraph (d)(2) of this section.
(iii) The supervisor course shall last a minimum of 32 training hours, with a minimum of 8 hours devoted to hands-on activities. The minimum curriculum requirements for the supervisor course are contained in paragraph (d)(3) of this section.
(iv) The project designer course shall last a minimum of 8 training hours. The minimum curriculum requirements for the project designer course are contained in paragraph (d)(4) of this section.
(v) The abatement worker course shall last a minimum of 16 training hours, with a minimum of 8 hours devoted to hands-on training activities. The minimum curriculum requirements for the abatement worker course are contained in paragraph (d)(5) of this section.
(vi) The renovator course must last a minimum of 8 training hours, with a minimum of 2 hours devoted to hands-on training activities. The minimum curriculum requirements for the renovator course are contained in paragraph (d)(6) of this section.
(vii) The dust sampling technician course must last a minimum of 8 training hours, with a minimum of 2 hours devoted to hands-on training activities. The minimum curriculum requirements for the dust sampling technician course are contained in paragraph (d)(7) of this section.
(viii) Electronic learning and other alternative course delivery methods are permitted for the classroom portion of renovator, dust sampling technician, or lead-based paint activities courses but not the hands-on portion of these courses, or for final course tests or proficiency tests described in paragraph (c)(7) of this section. Electronic learning courses must comply with the following requirements:
(A) A unique identifier must be assigned to each student for them to use to launch and re-launch the course.
(B) The training provider must track each student's course log-ins, launches, progress, and completion, and maintain these records in accordance with paragraph (i) of this section.
(C) The course must include periodic knowledge checks equivalent to the number and content of the knowledge checks contained in EPA's model course, but at least 16 over the entire course. The knowledge checks must be successfully completed before the student can go on to the next module.
(D) There must be a test of at least 20 questions at the end of the electronic learning portion of the course, of which 80% must be answered correctly by the student for successful completion of the electronic learning portion of the course. The test must be designed so that students to do not receive feedback on their test answers until after they have completed and submitted the test.
(E) Each student must be able to save or print a copy of an electronic learning course completion certificate. The electronic certificate must not be susceptible to easy editing.
(7) For each course offered, the training program shall conduct either a course test at the completion of the course, and if applicable, a hands-on skills assessment, or in the alternative, a proficiency test for that discipline. Each student must successfully complete the hands-on skills assessment and receive a passing score on the course test to pass any course, or successfully complete a proficiency test.
(i) The training manager is responsible for maintaining the validity and integrity of the hands-on skills assessment or proficiency test to ensure that it accurately evaluates the trainees' performance of the work practices and procedures associated with the course topics contained in paragraph (d) of this section.
(ii) The training manager is responsible for maintaining the validity and integrity of the course test to ensure that it accurately evaluates the trainees' knowledge and retention of the course topics.
(iii) The course test shall be developed in accordance with the test blueprint submitted with the training accreditation application.
(8) The training program shall issue unique course completion certificates to each individual who passes the training course. The course completion certificate shall include:
(i) The name, a unique identification number, and address of the individual.
(ii) The name of the particular course that the individual completed.
(iii) Dates of course completion/test passage.
(iv) For initial inspector, risk assessor, project designer, supervisor, or abatement worker course completion certificates, the expiration date of interim certification, which is 6 months from the date of course completion.
(v) The name, address, and telephone number of the training program.
(vi) The language in which the course was taught.
(vii) For renovator and dust sampling technician course completion certificates, a photograph of the individual. The photograph must be an accurate and recognizable image of the individual. As reproduced on the certificate, the photograph must not be smaller than 1 square inch.
(viii) For renovator course completion certificates, the expiration date of certification.
(9) The training manager shall develop and implement a quality control plan. The plan shall be used to maintain and improve the quality of the training program over time. This plan shall contain at least the following elements:
(i) Procedures for periodic revision of training materials and the course test to reflect innovations in the field.
(ii) Procedures for the training manager's annual review of principal instructor competency.
(10) Courses offered by the training program must teach the work practice standards contained in § 745.85 or § 745.227, as applicable, in such a manner that trainees are provided with the knowledge needed to perform the renovations or lead-based paint activities they will be responsible for conducting.
(11) The training manager shall be responsible for ensuring that the training program complies at all times with all of the requirements in this section.
(12) The training manager shall allow EPA to audit the training program to verify the contents of the application for accreditation as described in paragraph (b) of this section.
(13) The training manager must provide notification of renovator, dust sampling technician, or lead-based paint activities courses offered.
(i) The training manager must provide EPA with notification of all renovator, dust sampling technician, or lead-based paint activities courses offered except for any renovator course without hands-on training delivered via electronic learning. The original notification must be received by EPA at least 7 business days prior to the start date of any renovator, dust sampling technician, or lead-based paint activities course.
(ii) The training manager must provide EPA updated notification when renovator, dust sampling technician, or lead-based paint activities courses will begin on a date other than the start date specified in the original notification, as follows:
(A) For renovator, dust sampling technician, or lead-based paint activities courses beginning prior to the start date provided to EPA, an updated notification must be received by EPA at least 7 business days before the new start date.
(B) For renovator, dust sampling technician, or lead-based paint activities courses beginning after the start date provided to EPA, an updated notification must be received by EPA at least 2 business days before the start date provided to EPA.
(iii) The training manager must update EPA of any change in location of renovator, dust sampling technician, or lead-based paint activities courses at least 7 business days prior to the start date provided to EPA.
(iv) The training manager must update EPA regarding any course cancellations, or any other change to the original notification. Updated notifications must be received by EPA at least 2 business days prior to the start date provided to EPA.
(v) Each notification, including updates, must include the following:
(A) Notification type (original, update, cancellation).
(B) Training program name, EPA accreditation number, address, and telephone number.
(C) Course discipline, type (initial/refresher), and the language in which instruction will be given.
(D) Date(s) and time(s) of training.
(E) Training location(s) telephone number, and address.
(F) Principal instructor's name.
(G) Training manager's name and signature.
(vi) Notification must be accomplished electronically. Instructions can be obtained online at https://www.epa.gov/lead or from the NLIC at 1-800-424-LEAD (5323). Hearing- or speech-impaired persons may reach this telephone number through TTY by calling the toll-free Federal Communications Commission's Telecommunications Relay Service at 711.
(vii) Renovator, dust sampling technician, or lead-based paint activities courses must not begin on a date, or at a location other than that specified in the original notification unless an updated notification identifying a new start date or location is submitted, in which case the course must begin on the new start date and/or location specified in the updated notification.
(viii) No training program shall provide renovator, dust sampling technician, or lead-based paint activities courses without first notifying EPA of such activities in accordance with the requirements of this paragraph.
(14) The training manager must provide notification following completion of renovator, dust sampling technician, or lead-based paint activities courses.
(i) The training manager must provide EPA notification after the completion of any renovator, dust sampling, or lead-based paint activities course. This notification must be received by EPA no later than 10 business days following course completion. Notifications for any e-learning renovator refresher course that does not include hands-on training must be submitted via the Central Data Exchange no later than the 10th day of the month and include all students trained in the previous month.
(ii) The notification must include the following:
(A) Training program name, EPA accreditation number, address, and telephone number.
(B) Course discipline and type (initial/refresher).
(C) Date(s) of training.
(D) The following information for each student who took the course:
( 1 ) Name.
( 2 ) Address.
( 3 ) Date of birth.
( 4 ) Course completion certificate number.
( 5 ) Course test score.
( 6 ) For renovator or dust sampling technician courses, a digital photograph of the student.
( 7 ) For renovator refresher courses, the expiration date of certification.
(E) Training manager's name and signature.
(iii) Notification must be accomplished electronically. Instructions can be obtained online at https://www.epa.gov/lead or from the NLIC at 1-800-424-LEAD (5323).
(d) Minimum training curriculum requirements. A training program accredited by EPA to offer lead-based paint courses in the specific disciplines listed in this paragraph (d) must ensure that its courses of study include, at a minimum, the following course topics.
(1) Inspector. Instruction in the topics described in paragraphs (d)(1)(iv), (v), (vi), and (vii) of this section must be included in the hands-on portion of the course.
(i) Role and responsibilities of an inspector.
(ii) Background information on lead and its adverse health effects.
(iii) Background information on Federal, State, and local regulations and guidance that pertains to lead-based paint and lead- based paint activities.
(iv) Lead-based paint inspection methods, including selection of rooms and components for sampling or testing.
(v) Paint, dust, and soil sampling methodologies.
(vi) Action levels and testing, including random sampling.
(vii) Preparation of the final inspection report.
(viii) Recordkeeping.
(2) Risk assessor. Instruction in the topics described in paragraphs (d)(2)(iv), (vi), and (vii) of this section must be included in the hands-on portion of the course.
(i) Role and responsibilities of a risk assessor.
(ii) Collection of background information to perform a risk assessment.
(iii) Sources of environmental lead contamination such as paint, surface dust and soil, water, air, packaging, and food.
(iv) Visual inspection for the purposes of identifying potential sources of lead-based paint hazards.
(v) Lead hazard screen protocol.
(vi) Sampling for other sources of lead exposure.
(vii) Interpretation of lead-based paint and other lead sampling results, including all applicable Federal or State guidance or regulations pertaining to lead-based paint hazards.
(viii) Development of hazard control options, the role of interim controls, and operations and maintenance activities to reduce lead-based paint hazards.
(ix) Preparation of a final risk assessment report.
(3) Supervisor. Instruction in the topics described in paragraphs (d)(3)(v), (vii), (viii), (ix), and (x) of this section must be included in the hands-on portion of the course.
(i) Role and responsibilities of a supervisor.
(ii) Background information on lead and its adverse health effects.
(iii) Background information on Federal, State, and local regulations and guidance that pertain to lead-based paint abatement.
(iv) Liability and insurance issues relating to lead-based paint abatement.
(v) Risk assessment and inspection report interpretation.
(vi) Development and implementation of an occupant protection plan and abatement report.
(vii) Lead-based paint hazard recognition and control.
(viii) Lead-based paint abatement and lead-based paint hazard reduction methods, including restricted practices.
(ix) Interior dust abatement/cleanup or lead-based paint hazard control and reduction methods.
(x) Soil and exterior dust abatement or lead-based paint hazard control and reduction methods.
(xi) Action levels and testing.
(xii) Cleanup and waste disposal.
(xiii) Recordkeeping.
(4) Project designer. (i) Role and responsibilities of a project designer.
(ii) Development and implementation of an occupant protection plan for large-scale abatement projects.
(iii) Lead-based paint abatement and lead-based paint hazard reduction methods, including restricted practices for large-scale abatement projects.
(iv) Interior dust abatement/cleanup or lead hazard control and reduction methods for large-scale abatement projects.
(v) Action levels and testing for large scale abatement projects.
(vi) Integration of lead-based paint abatement methods with modernization and rehabilitation projects for large scale abatement projects.
(5) Abatement worker. Instruction in the topics described in paragraphs (d)(5)(iv), (v), (vi), and (vii) of this section must be included in the hands-on portion of the course.
(i) Role and responsibilities of an abatement worker.
(ii) Background information on lead and its adverse health effects.
(iii) Background information on Federal, State and local regulations and guidance that pertain to lead-based paint abatement.
(iv) Lead-based paint hazard recognition and control.
(v) Lead-based paint abatement and lead-based paint hazard reduction methods, including restricted practices.
(vi) Interior dust abatement methods/cleanup or lead-based paint hazard reduction.
(vii) Soil and exterior dust abatement methods or lead-based paint hazard reduction.
(6) Renovator. Instruction in the topics described in paragraphs (d)(6)(iv), (vi), (vii), and (viii) of this section must be included in the hands-on portion of the course.
(i) Role and responsibility of a renovator.
(ii) Background information on lead and its adverse health effects.
(iii) Background information on EPA, HUD, OSHA, and other Federal, State, and local regulations and guidance that pertains to lead-based paint and renovation activities.
(iv) Procedures for using acceptable test kits to determine whether paint is lead-based paint.
(v) Procedures for collecting a paint chip sample and sending it to a laboratory recognized by EPA under section 405(b) of TSCA.
(vi) Renovation methods to minimize the creation of dust and lead-based paint hazards.
(vii) Interior and exterior containment and cleanup methods.
(viii) Methods to ensure that the renovation has been properly completed, including cleaning verification and clearance testing.
(ix) Waste handling and disposal.
(x) Providing on-the-job training to other workers.
(xi) Record preparation.
(7) Dust sampling technician. Instruction in the topics described in paragraphs (d)(6)(iv) and (vi) of this section must be included in the hands-on portion of the course.
(i) Role and responsibility of a dust sampling technician.
(ii) Background information on lead and its adverse health effects.
(iii) Background information on Federal, State, and local regulations and guidance that pertains to lead-based paint and renovation activities.
(iv) Dust sampling methodologies.
(v) Action levels and testing.
(vi) Report preparation.
(e) Requirements for the accreditation of refresher training programs. A training program may seek accreditation to offer refresher training courses in any of the following disciplines: Inspector, risk assessor, supervisor, project designer, abatement worker, renovator, and dust sampling technician. A training program accredited by EPA to offer refresher training must meet the following minimum requirements:
(1) Each refresher course shall review the curriculum topics of the full-length courses listed under paragraph (d) of this section, as appropriate. In addition, to become accredited to offer refresher training courses, training programs shall ensure that their courses of study include, at a minimum, the following:
(i) An overview of current safety practices relating to lead-based paint in general, as well as specific information pertaining to the appropriate discipline.
(ii) Current laws and regulations relating to lead-based paint in general, as well as specific information pertaining to the appropriate discipline.
(iii) Current technologies relating to lead-based paint in general, as well as specific information pertaining to the appropriate discipline.
(2) Refresher courses for inspector, risk assessor, supervisor, and abatement worker must last a minimum of 8 training hours. Refresher courses for project designer, renovator, and dust sampling technician must last a minimum of 4 training hours. Refresher courses for all disciplines except renovator and project designer must include a hands-on component. Renovators must take a refresher course that includes hands-on training at least every other recertification.
(3) Except for renovator and project designer courses, for all other courses offered, the training program shall conduct a hands-on assessment. With the exception of project designer courses, the training program shall conduct a course test at the completion of the course. Renovators must take a refresher course that includes hands-on training at least every other recertification.
(4) A training program may apply for accreditation of a refresher course concurrently with its application for accreditation of the corresponding training course as described in paragraph (b) of this section. If so, EPA shall use the approval procedure described in paragraph (b) of this section. In addition, the minimum requirements contained in paragraphs (c)(1) through (5), (c)(6)(viii) and (c)(7) through (14), and (e)(1) through (3) of this section shall also apply.
(5) A training program seeking accreditation to offer refresher training courses only shall submit an electronic application to EPA containing the following information:
(i) The refresher training program's name, address, and telephone number.
(ii) A list of courses for which it is applying for accreditation.
(iii) The name and documentation of the qualifications of the training program manager.
(iv) The name(s) and documentation of the qualifications of the principal instructor(s).
(v) A statement signed by the training program manager certifying that the refresher training program meets the minimum requirements established in paragraph (c) of this section, except for the requirements in paragraph (c)(6) of this section. If a training program uses EPA-developed model training materials, or training materials approved by a State or Indian Tribe that has been authorized by EPA under § 745.324 to develop its refresher training course materials, the training manager shall include a statement certifying that, as well.
(vi) If the refresher training course materials are not based on EPA-developed model training materials, the training program's application for accreditation shall include:
(A) A copy of the student and instructor manuals to be used for each course.
(B) A copy of the course agenda for each course.
(vii) All refresher training programs shall include in their application for accreditation the following:
(A) A description of the facilities and equipment to be used for lecture and hands-on training.
(B) A copy of the course test blueprint for each course.
(C) A description of the activities and procedures that will be used for conducting the assessment of hands-on skills for each course (if applicable).
(D) A copy of the quality control plan as described in paragraph (c)(9) of this section.
(viii) The requirements in paragraphs (c)(1) through (5), (c)(6)(viii) and (c)(7) through (14) of this section apply to refresher training providers.
(ix) If a refresher training program meets the requirements listed in this paragraph, then EPA shall approve the application for accreditation no more than 180 days after receiving a complete application from the refresher training program. In the case of approval, a certificate of accreditation shall be sent to the applicant. In the case of disapproval, a letter describing the reasons for disapproval shall be sent to the applicant. Prior to disapproval, EPA may, at its discretion, work with the applicant to address inadequacies in the application for accreditation. EPA may also request additional materials retained by the refresher training program under paragraph (i) of this section. If a refresher training program's application is disapproved, the program may reapply for accreditation at any time.
(f) Re-accreditation of training programs. (1) Unless re-accredited, a training program's accreditation, including refresher training accreditation, shall expire 4 years after the date of issuance. If a training program meets the requirements of this section, the training program shall be reaccredited.
(2) A training program seeking re-accreditation shall submit an electronic application to EPA no later than 180 days before its accreditation expires. If a training program does not submit its application for re-accreditation by that date, EPA cannot guarantee that the program will be re-accredited before the end of the accreditation period.
(3) The training program's application for re-accreditation shall contain:
(i) The training program's name, address, and telephone number.
(ii) A list of courses for which it is applying for re-accreditation.
(iii) The name and qualifications of the training program manager.
(iv) The name(s) and qualifications of the principal instructor(s).
(v) A description of any changes to the training facility, equipment or course materials since its last application was approved that adversely affects the students' ability to learn.
(vi) A statement signed by the program manager stating:
(A) That the training program complies at all times with all requirements in paragraphs (c) and (e) of this section, as applicable; and
(B) The recordkeeping and reporting requirements of paragraph (i) of this section shall be followed.
(vii) A payment of appropriate fees in accordance with § 745.238.
(4) Upon request, the training program shall allow EPA to audit the training program to verify the contents of the application for re-accreditation as described in paragraph (f)(3) of this section.
(g) Suspension, revocation, and modification of accredited training programs. (1) EPA may, after notice and an opportunity for hearing, suspend, revoke, or modify training program accreditation, including refresher training accreditation, if a training program, training manager, or other person with supervisory authority over the training program has:
(i) Misrepresented the contents of a training course to EPA and/or the student population.
(ii) Failed to submit required information or notifications in a timely manner.
(iii) Failed to maintain required records.
(iv) Falsified accreditation records, instructor qualifications, or other accreditation-related information or documentation.
(v) Failed to comply with the training standards and requirements in this section.
(vi) Failed to comply with Federal, State, or local lead-based paint statutes or regulations.
(vii) Made false or misleading statements to EPA in its application for accreditation or re-accreditation which EPA relied upon in approving the application.
(2) In addition to an administrative or judicial finding of violation, execution of a consent agreement in settlement of an enforcement action constitutes, for purposes of this section, evidence of a failure to comply with relevant statutes or regulations.
(h) Procedures for suspension, revocation or modification of training program accreditation. (1) Prior to taking action to suspend, revoke, or modify the accreditation of a training program, EPA shall notify the affected entity in writing of the following:
(i) The legal and factual basis for the suspension, revocation, or modification.
(ii) The anticipated commencement date and duration of the suspension, revocation, or modification.
(iii) Actions, if any, which the affected entity may take to avoid suspension, revocation, or modification, or to receive accreditation in the future.
(iv) The opportunity and method for requesting a hearing prior to final EPA action to suspend, revoke or modify accreditation.
(v) Any additional information, as appropriate, which EPA may provide.
(2) If a hearing is requested by the accredited training program, EPA shall:
(i) Provide the affected entity an opportunity to offer written statements in response to EPA's assertions of the legal and factual basis for its proposed action, and any other explanations, comments, and arguments it deems relevant to the proposed action.
(ii) Provide the affected entity such other procedural opportunities as EPA may deem appropriate to ensure a fair and impartial hearing.
(iii) Appoint an official of EPA as Presiding Officer to conduct the hearing. No person shall serve as Presiding Officer if he or she has had any prior connection with the specific matter.
(3) The Presiding Officer appointed pursuant to paragraph (h)(2) of this section shall:
(i) Conduct a fair, orderly, and impartial hearing within 90 days of the request for a hearing.
(ii) Consider all relevant evidence, explanation, comment, and argument submitted.
(iii) Notify the affected entity in writing within 90 days of completion of the hearing of his or her decision and order. Such an order is a final agency action which may be subject to judicial review.
(4) If EPA determines that the public health, interest, or welfare warrants immediate action to suspend the accreditation of any training program prior to the opportunity for a hearing, it shall:
(i) Notify the affected entity of its intent to immediately suspend training program accreditation for the reasons listed in paragraph (g)(1) of this section. If a suspension, revocation, or modification notice has not previously been issued pursuant to paragraph (g)(1) of this section, it shall be issued at the same time the emergency suspension notice is issued.
(ii) Notify the affected entity in writing of the grounds for the immediate suspension and why it is necessary to suspend the entity's accreditation before an opportunity for a suspension, revocation or modification hearing.
(iii) Notify the affected entity of the anticipated commencement date and duration of the immediate suspension.
(iv) Notify the affected entity of its right to request a hearing on the immediate suspension within 15 days of the suspension taking place and the procedures for the conduct of such a hearing.
(5) Any notice, decision, or order issued by EPA under this section, any transcripts or other verbatim record of oral testimony, and any documents filed by an accredited training program in a hearing under this section shall be available to the public, except as otherwise provided by section 14 of TSCA or by 40 CFR part 2. Any such hearing at which oral testimony is presented shall be open to the public, except that the Presiding Officer may exclude the public to the extent necessary to allow presentation of information which may be entitled to confidential treatment under section 14 of TSCA or 40 CFR part 2.
(6) The public shall be notified of the suspension, revocation, modification or reinstatement of a training program's accreditation through appropriate mechanisms.
(7) EPA shall maintain a list of parties whose accreditation has been suspended, revoked, modified or reinstated.
(i) Training program recordkeeping requirements. (1) Accredited training programs shall maintain, and make available to EPA, upon request, the following records:
(i) All documents specified in paragraph (c)(4) of this section that demonstrate the qualifications listed in paragraphs (c)(1) and (c)(2) of this section of the training manager and principal instructors.
(ii) Current curriculum/course materials and documents reflecting any changes made to these materials.
(iii) The course test blueprint.
(iv) Information regarding how the hands-on assessment is conducted including, but not limited to:
(A) Who conducts the assessment.
(B) How the skills are graded.
(C) What facilities are used.
(D) The pass/fail rate.
(v) The quality control plan as described in paragraph (c)(9) of this section.
(vi) Results of the students' hands-on skills assessments and course tests, and a record of each student's course completion certificate.
(vii) Any other material not listed in paragraphs (i)(1)(i) through (i)(1)(vi) of this section that was submitted to EPA as part of the program's application for accreditation.
(viii) For renovator refresher and dust sampling technician refresher courses, a copy of each trainee's prior course completion certificate showing that each trainee was eligible to take the refresher course.
(ix) For course modules delivered in an electronic format, a record of each student's log-ins, launches, progress, and completion, and a copy of the electronic learning completion certificate for each student.
(2) The training program must retain records pertaining to renovator, dust sampling technician and lead-based paint activities courses at the address specified on the training program accreditation application (or as modified in accordance with paragraph (i)(3) of this section) for the following minimum periods:
(i) Records pertaining to lead-based paint activities courses must be retained for a minimum of 3 years and 6 months.
(ii) [Reserved]
(iii) Records pertaining to renovator or dust sampling technician courses offered on or after April 22, 2010 must be retained for a minimum of 5 years.
(3) The training program shall notify EPA in writing within 30 days of changing the address specified on its training program accreditation application or transferring the records from that address.
(j) Amendment of accreditation. (1) A training program must amend its accreditation within 90 days of the date a change occurs to information included in the program's most recent application. If the training program fails to amend its accreditation within 90 days of the date the change occurs, the program may not provide renovator, dust sampling technician, or lead-based paint activities training until its accreditation is amended.
(2) To amend an accreditation, a training program must electronically submit a completed “Accreditation Application for Training Providers,” signed by an authorized agent of the training provider, noting on the form that it is submitted as an amendment and indicating the information that has changed.
(3) Training managers, principal instructors, permanent training locations. If the amendment includes a new training program manager, any new or additional principal instructor(s), or any new permanent training location(s), the training provider is not permitted to provide training under the new training manager or offer courses taught by any new principal instructor(s) or at the new training location(s) until EPA either approves the amendment or 30 days have elapsed, whichever occurs earlier. Except:
(i) If the amendment includes a new training program manager or new or additional principal instructor that was identified in a training provider accreditation application that EPA has already approved under this section, the training provider may begin to provide training under the new training manager or offer courses taught by the new principal instructor on an interim basis as soon as the provider submits the amendment to EPA. The training provider may continue to provide training under the new training manager or offer courses taught by the new principal instructor if EPA approves the amendment or if EPA does not disapprove the amendment within 30 days.
(ii) If the amendment includes a new permanent training location, the training provider may begin to provide training at the new permanent training location on an interim basis as soon as the provider submits the amendment to EPA. The training provider may continue to provide training at the new permanent training location if EPA approves the amendment or if EPA does not disapprove the amendment within 30 days.
§ 745.226   Certification of individuals and firms engaged in lead-based paint activities: target housing and child-occupied facilities.
(a) Certification of individuals. (1) Individuals seeking certification by EPA to engage in lead-based paint activities must either:
(i) Submit to EPA an electronic application demonstrating that they meet the requirements established in paragraphs (b) or (c) of this section for the particular discipline for which certification is sought; or
(ii) Submit to EPA an electronic application attaching a copy of a valid lead-based paint activities certification (or equivalent) from a State or Tribal program that has been authorized by EPA pursuant to Subpart Q of this part.
(2) [Reserved]
(3) Following the submission of an electronic application demonstrating that all the requirements of this section have been meet, EPA shall certify an applicant as an inspector, risk assessor, supervisor, project designer, or abatement worker, as appropriate.
(4) Upon receiving EPA certification, individuals conducting lead-based paint activities shall comply with the work practice standards for performing the appropriate lead-based paint activities as established in § 745.227.
(5) It shall be a violation of TSCA for an individual to conduct any of the lead-based paint activities described in § 745.227 after March 1, 2000, if that individual has not been certified by EPA pursuant to this section to do so.
(6) Individuals applying for certification must submit the appropriate fees in accordance with § 745.238.
(b) Inspector, risk assessor or supervisor. (1) To become certified by EPA as an inspector, risk assessor, or supervisor, pursuant to paragraph (a)(1)(i) of this section, an individual must:
(i) Successfully complete an accredited course in the appropriate discipline and receive a course completion certificate from an accredited training program.
(ii) Pass the certification exam in the appropriate discipline offered by EPA; and,
(iii) Meet or exceed the following experience and/or education requirements:
(A) Inspectors. ( 1 ) No additional experience and/or education requirements.
( 2 ) [Reserved]
(B) Risk assessors. ( 1 ) Successful completion of an accredited training course for inspectors; and
( 2 ) Bachelor's degree and 1 year of experience in a related field (e.g., lead, asbestos, environmental remediation work, or construction), or an Associates degree and 2 years experience in a related field (e.g., lead, asbestos, environmental remediation work, or construction); or
( 3 ) Certification as an industrial hygienist, professional engineer, registered architect and/or certification in a related engineering/health/environmental field (e.g., safety professional, environmental scientist); or
( 4 ) A high school diploma (or equivalent), and at least 3 years of experience in a related field (e.g., lead, asbestos, environmental remediation work or construction).
(C) Supervisor: ( 1 ) One year of experience as a certified lead-based paint abatement worker; or
( 2 ) At least 2 years of experience in a related field (e.g., lead, asbestos, or environmental remediation work) or in the building trades.
(2) The following documents shall be recognized by EPA as evidence of meeting the requirements listed in (b)(2)(iii) of this paragraph:
(i) Official academic transcripts or diploma, as evidence of meeting the education requirements.
(ii) Resumes, letters of reference, or documentation of work experience, as evidence of meeting the work experience requirements.
(iii) Course completion certificates from lead-specific or other related training courses, issued by accredited training programs, as evidence of meeting the training requirements.
(3) In order to take the certification examination for a particular discipline an individual must:
(i) Successfully complete an accredited course in the appropriate discipline and receive a course completion certificate from an accredited training program.
(ii) Meet or exceed the education and/or experience requirements in paragraph (b)(1)(iii) of this section.
(4) The course completion certificate shall serve as interim certification for an individual until the next available opportunity to take the certification exam. Such interim certification shall expire 6 months after issuance.
(5) After passing the appropriate certification exam and submitting an application demonstrating that he/she meets the appropriate training, education, and/or experience prerequisites described in paragraph (b)(1) of this section, an individual shall be issued a certificate by EPA. To maintain certification, an individual must be re-certified as described in paragraph (e) of this section.
(6) An individual may take the certification exam no more than three times within 6 months of receiving a course completion certificate.
(7) If an individual does not pass the certification exam and receive a certificate within 6 months of receiving his/her course completion certificate, the individual must retake the appropriate course from an accredited training program before reapplying for certification from EPA.
(c) Abatement worker and project designer. (1) To become certified by EPA as an abatement worker or project designer, pursuant to paragraph (a)(1)(i) of this section, an individual must:
(i) Successfully complete an accredited course in the appropriate discipline and receive a course completion certificate from an accredited training program.
(ii) Meet or exceed the following additional experience and/or education requirements:
(A) Abatement workers. ( 1 ) No additional experience and/or education requirements.
( 2 ) [Reserved]
(B) Project designers. ( 1 ) Successful completion of an accredited training course for supervisors.
( 2 ) Bachelor's degree in engineering, architecture, or a related profession, and 1 year of experience in building construction and design or a related field; or
( 3 ) Four years of experience in building construction and design or a related field.
(2) The following documents shall be recognized by EPA as evidence of meeting the requirements listed in this paragraph:
(i) Official academic transcripts or diploma, as evidence of meeting the education requirements.
(ii) Resumes, letters of reference, or documentation of work experience, as evidence of meeting the work experience requirements.
(iii) Course completion certificates from lead-specific or other related training courses, issued by accredited training programs, as evidence of meeting the training requirements.
(3) The course completion certificate shall serve as an interim certification until certification from EPA is received, but shall be valid for no more than 6 months from the date of completion.
(4) After successfully completing the appropriate training courses and meeting any other qualifications described in paragraph (c)(1) of this section, an individual shall be issued a certificate from EPA. To maintain certification, an individual must be re-certified as described in paragraph (e) of this section.
(d) Certification based on prior training. (1) Any individual who received training in a lead-based paint activity between October 1, 1990, and March 1, 1999 shall be eligible for certification by EPA under the alternative procedures contained in this paragraph. Individuals who have received lead-based paint activities training at an EPA-authorized State or Tribal accredited training program shall also be eligible for certification by EPA under the following alternative procedures:
(i) Applicants for certification as an inspector, risk assessor, or supervisor shall:
(A) Demonstrate that the applicant has successfully completed training or on-the-job training in the conduct of a lead-based paint activity.
(B) Demonstrate that the applicant meets or exceeds the education and/or experience requirements in paragraph (b)(1)(iii) of this section.
(C) Successfully complete an accredited refresher training course for the appropriate discipline.
(D) Pass a certification exam administered by EPA for the appropriate discipline.
(ii) Applicants for certification as an abatement worker or project designer shall:
(A) Demonstrate that the applicant has successfully completed training or on-the-job training in the conduct of a lead-based paint activity.
(B) Demonstrate that the applicant meets the education and/or experience requirements in paragraphs (c)(1) of this section; and
(C) Successfully complete an accredited refresher training course for the appropriate discipline.
(2) Individuals shall have until March 1, 2000, to apply to EPA for certification under the above procedures. After that date, all individuals wishing to obtain certification must do so through the procedures described in paragraph (a), and paragraph (b) or (c) of this section, according to the discipline for which certification is being sought.
(e) Re-certification. (1) To maintain certification in a particular discipline, a certified individual shall apply electronically to and be re-certified by EPA in that discipline by EPA either:
(i) Every 3 years if the individual completed a training course with a course test and hands-on assessment; or
(ii) Every 5 years if the individual completed a training course with a proficiency test.
(2) An individual shall be re-certified if the individual successfully completes the appropriate accredited refresher training course and electronically submits a valid copy of the appropriate refresher course completion certificate.
(3) Individuals applying for re-certification must submit the appropriate fees in accordance with § 745.238.
(f) Certification of firms. (1) All firms which perform or offer to perform any of the lead-based paint activities described in § 745.227 after March 1, 2000, shall be certified by EPA.
(2) A firm seeking certification shall electronically submit to EPA an application attesting that the firm shall only employ appropriately certified employees to conduct lead-based paint activities, and that the firm and its employees shall follow the work practice standards in § 745.227 for conducting lead-based paint activities.
(3) From the date of receiving the firm's electronic application requesting certification, EPA shall have 90 days to approve or disapprove the firm's request for certification. Within that time, EPA shall respond with either a certificate of approval or a letter describing the reasons for a disapproval.
(4) The firm shall maintain all records pursuant to the requirements in § 745.227.
(5) [Reserved]
(6) Firms applying for certification must submit the appropriate fees in accordance with § 745.238.
(7) To maintain certification a firm shall submit appropriate fees in accordance with § 745.238 every 3 years.
(g) Suspension, revocation, and modification of certifications of individuals engaged in lead-based paint activities. (1) EPA may, after notice and opportunity for hearing, suspend, revoke, or modify an individual's certification if an individual has:
(i) Obtained training documentation through fraudulent means.
(ii) Gained admission to and completed an accredited training program through misrepresentation of admission requirements.
(iii) Obtained certification through misrepresentation of certification requirements or related documents dealing with education, training, professional registration, or experience.
(iv) Performed work requiring certification at a job site without having proof of certification.
(v) Permitted the duplication or use of the individual's own certificate by another.
(vi) Performed work for which certification is required, but for which appropriate certification has not been received.
(vii) Failed to comply with the appropriate work practice standards for lead-based paint activities at § 745.227.
(viii) Failed to comply with Federal, State, or local lead-based paint statutes or regulations.
(2) In addition to an administrative or judicial finding of violation, for purposes of this section only, execution of a consent agreement in settlement of an enforcement action constitutes evidence of a failure to comply with relevant statutes or regulations.
(h) Suspension, revocation, and modification of certifications of firms engaged in lead-based paint activities. (1) EPA may, after notice and opportunity for hearing, suspend, revoke, or modify a firm's certification if a firm has:
(i) Performed work requiring certification at a job site with individuals who are not certified.
(ii) Failed to comply with the work practice standards established in § 745.227.
(iii) Misrepresented facts in its application for certification to EPA.
(iv) Failed to maintain required records.
(v) Failed to comply with Federal, State, or local lead-based paint statutes or regulations.
(2) In addition to an administrative or judicial finding of violation, for purposes of this section only, execution of a consent agreement in settlement of an enforcement action constitutes evidence of a failure to comply with relevant statutes or regulations.
(i) Procedures for suspension, revocation, or modification of the certification of individuals or firms. (1) If EPA decides to suspend, revoke, or modify the certification of any individual or firm, it shall notify the affected entity in writing of the following:
(i) The legal and factual basis for the suspension, revocation, or modification.
(ii) The commencement date and duration of the suspension, revocation, or modification.
(iii) Actions, if any, which the affected entity may take to avoid suspension, revocation, or modification or to receive certification in the future.
(iv) The opportunity and method for requesting a hearing prior to final EPA action to suspend, revoke, or modify certification.
(v) Any additional information, as appropriate, which EPA may provide.
(2) If a hearing is requested by the certified individual or firm, EPA shall:
(i) Provide the affected entity an opportunity to offer written statements in response to EPA's assertion of the legal and factual basis and any other explanations, comments, and arguments it deems relevant to the proposed action.
(ii) Provide the affected entity such other procedural opportunities as EPA may deem appropriate to ensure a fair and impartial hearing.
(iii) Appoint an official of EPA as Presiding Officer to conduct the hearing. No person shall serve as Presiding Officer if he or she has had any prior connection with the specific matter.
(3) The Presiding Officer shall:
(i) Conduct a fair, orderly, and impartial hearing within 90 days of the request for a hearing;
(ii) Consider all relevant evidence, explanation, comment, and argument submitted; and
(iii) Notify the affected entity in writing within 90 days of completion of the hearing of his or her decision and order. Such an order is a final EPA action subject to judicial review.
(4) If EPA determines that the public health, interest, or welfare warrants immediate action to suspend the certification of any individual or firm prior to the opportunity for a hearing, it shall:
(i) Notify the affected entity of its intent to immediately suspend certification for the reasons listed in paragraph (h)(1) of this section. If a suspension, revocation, or modification notice has not previously been issued, it shall be issued at the same time the immediate suspension notice is issued.
(ii) Notify the affected entity in writing of the grounds upon which the immediate suspension is based and why it is necessary to suspend the entity's accreditation before an opportunity for a hearing to suspend, revoke, or modify the individual's or firm's certification.
(iii) Notify the affected entity of the commencement date and duration of the immediate suspension.
(iv) Notify the affected entity of its right to request a hearing on the immediate suspension within 15 days of the suspension taking place and the procedures for the conduct of such a hearing.
(5) Any notice, decision, or order issued by EPA under this section, transcript or other verbatim record of oral testimony, and any documents filed by a certified individual or firm in a hearing under this section shall be available to the public, except as otherwise provided by section 14 of TSCA or by part 2 of this title. Any such hearing at which oral testimony is presented shall be open to the public, except that the Presiding Officer may exclude the public to the extent necessary to allow presentation of information which may be entitled to confidential treatment under section 14 of TSCA or part 2 of this title.