The type of certificate you should get depends on the type of lead-related construction activities you plan to do.  DHS certification is now required for all those doing lead hazard evaluations, lead abatement plan preparation, lead abatement work and lead clearance inspections for residential and public buildings in California (Title 17, CCR § 36000-36100).

Make sure you have completed the required training, experience and education before applying for a Lead Certificate.  More information on eligibility and training is provided in the application forms and instructions  or by calling the Lead-Related Construction Information Line at 1-800-597-LEAD (Outside California, dial 510-869-3953.)

Lead Inspector/Assessor Certificates:  are for those who plan to inspect buildings for lead and assess the amount of lead hazards in those buildings.  This may include:

• Taking paint-chip, dust or soil samples or using an XRF machine to test painted surfaces.
• Conducting visual inspections to examine the condition of painted surfaces and the location of lead hazards in the building.
• Interpreting laboratory and XRF test results.
• Preparing reports on the amount of lead hazards in a building and the risks of lead poisoning to the building occupants.
• Recommending cost effective ways to safely handle the lead hazards.

Under California's Title 17 regulations, a certified Lead Inspector/Assessor...
• may perform lead hazard evaluations and clearance inspections.
• may not prepare lead abatement plans.
• may not perform lead abatement activities.

• Visiting the site and reviewing inspection reports to determine and select the proper abatement, clearance and lead waste disposal methods.
• Working with consultants, industrial hygienists, journeymen, engineers and housing specialists  to develop the project specifications.
• Preparing project cost estimates and suggesting strategies for reducing costs.

Under California's Title 17 regulations, a certified Lead Project Designer...

• may prepare lead abatement plans.
• may not perform lead abatement activities.
• may not perform lead hazard evaluations or clearance inspections.
Top

• Working with consultants, industrial hygienists, journeymen, engineers and housing specialists to develop the project specifications.
• Performing air monitoring to assess exposure levels and dust wipe sampling to ensure adequacy of containment.
• Conducting clearance testing at the end of the project to see if any lead contamination remains.
• Checking work activities for compliance with Federal, State and local regulatory requirements.

Under California's Title 17 regulations, a certified Lead Project Monitor...
• may prepare lead abatement plans.
• may conduct clearance inspections.
• may not perform lead abatement activities.
• may not perform lead hazard evaluations.

• Overseeing workers who are performing the activities specified in a lead abatement work plans.  (Supervisors also perform lead-related construction work activities themselves.)
• Enforcing the work practices that ensure worker safety and protect occupants from lead poisoning.
• Scheduling and coordinating work site activities with building occupants as well as other consultants and contractors.
• Arranging for proper disposal of lead containing waste created during work activities.

Under California's Title 17 regulations, a certified Lead Supervisor...

• may perform lead abatement activities.
• may prepare lead abatement plans.
• may not perform lead hazard evaluations or clearance inspections.

• Building containment structures and sealing off work areas to prevent lead dust from spreading.
• Removing, enclosing or covering lead-based paint hazards or lead contaminated soil.
• Preparing lead contaminated waste for disposal and cleaning-up the work area.

Under California's Title 17 regulations, a certified Lead Worker...

• may perform lead abatement activities.
• may not prepare lead abatement plans.
• may not perform lead hazard evaluations or clearance inspections.

The table below shows which types of activities certified lead Inspector/Assessors, Project Designers, Project Monitors, Supervisors and Workers may do under California's new Work Practice Standards for Lead-Related Construction (Title 17, California Code of Regulations, Sections 36000 and 36100).  Please note that these regulations apply only to work done in residential and public buildings.  Please also refer to the key definitions below for details about what these types of activities include.
 

	...do lead abatement  work?	... prepare lead abatement  plans?	...perform  lead hazard evaluations?	...perform clearance inspections?
Can a certified Lead Inspector/Assessor...	no	no	YES	YES
Can a certified Lead Project Designer...	no	YES	no	no
Can a certified Lead Project Monitor...	no	YES	no	YES
Can a certified Lead Supervisor...	YES	YES	no	no
Can a certified Lead Worker...	YES	no	no	no

 

Abatement:  Any set of measures designed to reduce or eliminate lead hazards or lead-based paint from residential or public buildings.  Abatement does not include containment or cleaning activities.