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Oregon Health Authority

Inspection and Abatement Professionals

Abatement is the permanent removal of lead-based paint hazards from a home or structure. 

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Abatement includes removal of lead-based paint, dust, and soil hazards, enclosure or encapsulation of lead-based paint, the replacement of lead-painted surfaces or fixtures and the removal or covering of lead contaminated soil. Preparation, cleanup, disposal, and post-abatement clearance testing are also considered to be abatement.

Abatement does not include renovation, remodeling, landscaping or other activities, when these activities are not designed to permanently eliminate lead-based paint hazards. These activities fall under the Renovation, Repair and Painting rule. The EPA's Lead Abatement Professionals page addresses more in depth the activities that fall under the definition of abatement.

If you are a company or individual seeking certification as a lead-safe renovator, please visit the Renovation, Repair, and Painting Rule page.

Regulations for Lead-Based Paint Activities

Regulations on lead-based paint activities (paint inspection, risk assessment, project design and abatement/lead-paint hazard removal) protect the public from hazards of improperly conducted lead-based paint activities.

  • The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) regulates lead-based paint activities for states that don't have the authority to operate their own lead programs.
  • The Oregon Health Authority (OHA) has authority from EPA to regulate lead-based paint activities in Oregon.
  • OHA's Lead-Based Paint Program (LBPP) regulates lead-based paint activities for individuals and firms.

The regulations include:

  1. Training and certification to ensure proficiency of individuals conducting lead-based paint activities in pre-1978 homes and child-occupied facilities;
  2. Accreditation to ensure that training programs provide quality instruction in effective work practices; and
  3. Work practice standards to ensure that lead-based paint activities are conducted safely, reliably, and effectively.

Training and Certification

Individuals and firms conducting lead-paint activities in Oregon must be trained by an OHA/EPA/EPA-authorized state accredited training provider, certified by OHA and licensed by CCB. This means that both the individual and the company he/she works for needs to be OHA certified and have a CCB contractor license.

There are five certification disciplines for professionals conducting lead-based paint activities. The disciplines are inspector, risk assessor, supervisor, project designer and worker. Training and certification requirements differ by discipline. Firms can be individual proprietors or companies.

Step 1: Verify Your Eligibility for Certification

Verify you are eligible for state certification by reviewing the eligibility requirements. An individual's certification eligibility should be checked prior to attending training. The eligibility requirements are on pages 2 and 3 of this document.

Step 2: Training

Complete a training course accredited by Oregon, EPA or an EPA-authorized state or tribal program and receive a course completion certificate. Course completion certificates are valid for 3 years. If you are interested in attending a lead-based paint activities training course, please call OHA at 971-673-0440.

Step 3: OHA Certification

  1. Complete OHA's Lead-Based Paint Individual Certification application
  2. Complete OHA's Lead-Based Paint Firm Certification application
    - if you are self-employed, complete this application in addition to the individual application
    - if you are employed by a firm or business, make sure your employer is OHA certified and has a CCB lead-based paint contractor license
  3. Complete Proof of Experience Form (one form for each job you are using to document experience)
  4. Complete Examination Request Form for Lead-Based Paint Abatement and Inspection Certification and attach a copy of course completion certificate from an OHA/EPA/EPA-Authorized State or Tribal Program Accredited Training Provider (completion of course must be within 3 years).
  5. Compile application, Proof of Experience Form (if applicable), Examination Request Form (if applicable) with attached training completion certificate and documentation of education (transcript/s)
  6. Submit application, accompanying materials, and fees to OHA.

Step 4: CCB Contractor Licensing (if applicable)

  1. Complete appropriate CCB Contractor License Application.
  2. Submit CCB Contractor license application, OHA certification (you must have your OHA certification before you can submit the CCB license application) and fees to CCB.

Fees

Training course fees vary by discipline. Please contact the accredited training provider for more information on course fees. Course completion certificate expires in 3 years.

  • OHA certification fees range from $150 - $255 depending on discipline.
  • OHA certification expires in three years.
  • CCB discipline licensing fees range from $25 - $50. Please visit CCB for current prices.

CCB Licensing

There may be exemptions from CCB licensing requirements. Please check their Lead-Based Paint web page or contact them at 503-378-4621.

Renovation, Repair and Painting (RRP) Rule

The RRP rule requires individuals and firms conducting renovation, repair, and painting projects on pre-1978 homes and child-occupied facilities (child care and schools) be certified and follow lead-safe work practices. Read more about the RRP Rule.

Accreditation of Training Programs

OHA has rules for the accreditation of training programs for lead-based paint abatement and inspection/risk assessment activities. Oregon accepts course completion certificates from EPA or any EPA-authorized state or tribal program. If you are interested in attending a lead-based paint activities training course, please call OHA at 971-673-0440. 

Work Practice Standards

Regulations of Lead-Based Paint Activities prohibit open flame torching and uncontained power washing or hydroblasting. Machine sanding or grinding, abrasive blasting, sandblasting, or dry scraping of lead-based paint are prohibited except under specific and limited conditions. Read more about other lead paint rules and regulations.

Abatement and Inspection Firms and Professionals

Certified Lead-Based Paint Abatement and Testing Firms (pdf) - A list of abatement and inspection companies that includes certified individuals. If you are interested in hiring a certified lead-based professional to inspect or work on your home, please review this list to identify professionals that may work on individual residential properties. Some of the listed individuals do not work on residential properties.

Applications, Documents, and Forms

Applications

Forms and Documents

Contacts

Oregon Health Authority, Lead-Based Paint Program
800 NE Oregon St., Suite. 640
Portland, OR 97232-2162
Phone: (971) 673-0440
Fax: (971) 671-0457

Construction Contractors Board
700 Summer St., NE, Suite 300
Salem, OR 97309-5052
Phone: (503) 378-4621, x 4053
Fax: (503) 373-2007

See Also