A federal law called the Renovation, Repair and Painting Rule requires that child care and school professionals follow specific procedures when renovating or repairing facilities.
RRP Rule: FAQs for child care and schools
Read the frequently asked questions below, or review complete details about the RRP rule.
Does the RRP rule apply to me?
Yes, if...
- Your child care facility or school was built before 1978 and has children under six years of age attend,
and
- You are starting a renovation, repair and painting project that is not a "minor maintenance or repair" or an abatement project. "Minor maintenance or repair means disrupting 6 square feet or less of paint per room, or 20 square feet or less of exterior paint. Abatement projects are specifically aimed at eliminating lead-based paint or lead hazards.
What do I need to do to comply?
- Read and understand the rule as it applies to you. Review complete details of the rule or read EPA's Lead-Safe Certified Guide to Renovate Right (pdf).
- Assume your pre-1978 child-care facility or school contains lead or hire a professional to conduct an assessment.
- Do one of the following:
- Hire a licensed contractor who has been certified in lead-safe work practices to prevent lead contamination,
or
- Become a certified firm and have your employees (the ones that will be doing the work) trained from an accredited lead-safe training provider.
What do I need to do to become a certified firm?
To become a certified firm or renovator, an individual must successfully complete EPA/OHA accredited training, apply to the Oregon Health Authority for certification, and pay the certification fee. The certification fee is different from the course fee.
Step 1: Training
The initial RRP Rule training is an 8-hour, hands-on course that individuals can take to learn how to comply with the RRP Rule. Upon completion of the course, the individual receives a course completion certificate. Visit our Training page to see a list of EPA/OHA accredited training providers and a calendar of training courses in Oregon.
The RRP course completion certificate is valid for five years. To maintain certification, course participants must take an EPA/OHA approved 4-hour refresher course taught by an accredited training provider, before their certification expires.
Step 2: Certification
Firms (i.e. maintenance workers in multi-family housing, schools, child care facilities, property management companies and property owners) who have received a course completion certificate must apply to OHA to become an RRP "Certified Renovation Firm". The steps to apply include:
Non-CCB licensed renovators who have received a course completion certificate DO NOT have to apply to OHA for certification. These individuals are considered "certified renovators" who can work for an OHA-certified firm.
What are my responsibilities as a certified firm?
- All covered renovations must be performed by certified renovation firms, using certified renovators and other trained workers.
- Keep certification current.
- Employ at least one certified renovator to oversee renovation, repair or painting work.
- Provide a copy of EPA's lead hazard information pamphlet Lead-Safe Certified Guide to Renovate Right (pdf) to families whose children attend the facility being renovated and document compliance with this requirement using Receipt of Renovation Notice Form (pdf).
- Meet recordkeeping requirements using OHA's Recordkeeping Checklist (pdf).
- Keep children out of work area.
- Follow specific work practices to avoid creating and spreading lead dust.
- Follow specific cleaning protocols after work is done.
What are my responsibilities as a certified renovator?
- Certified renovation activities must be performed and/or directed by a certified renovator.
- Perform work or direct lead-safe work practices to prevent lead contamination.
- Keep a copy of the initial or refresher training certificate on each worksite.
- Provide uncertified workers with on-the-job training.
- Use EPA-recognized test kits to identify lead-based paint.
- Be physically present at the worksite while posting signs, containing work areas and cleaning work areas.
- Be available by telephone when off-site.
- Maintain the containment to keep dust and debris within the work area.
- Conduct the cleaning verification procedure.
- Prepare and maintain required records.
How much does it cost to become a certified firm?
Certification cost is $250
When does the certification expire?
The course completion certificate and OHA certification expire after five years.
Application
Printable pamphlets, documents and forms
Contact Oregon Health Authority
Lead-Based Paint Program
800 NE Oregon Street, Suite 608
Portland, OR 97232-2162
Phone: (971) 673-0440
Fax: (971) 671-0457
E-mail: lead.program@dhsoha.state.or.us