Glossary
Lead-Safe Certified Firm
EPA certification for firms performing renovation, repair, or painting in pre-1978 housing and child-occupied facilities under the RRP Rule.
The EPA Lead-Safe Certified Firm credential is required for any firm that performs, offers to perform, or claims to perform renovation, repair, or painting work for compensation in pre-1978 housing or child-occupied facilities, where the work disturbs more than the minor-repair threshold of painted surface.
Certification is at the firm level. The firm applies through EPA (or its state-authorized equivalent), pays the fee, and receives a five-year certification. Each renovation site must have at least one Certified Renovator on site to direct the work; this is a separate individual certification, also five-year.
Certain states (Alabama, Delaware, Georgia, Iowa, Kansas, Massachusetts, Mississippi, North Carolina, Oklahoma, Oregon, Rhode Island, Utah, Washington, Wisconsin, others over time) have authorized state programs that issue the equivalent state certification. In those states the firm applies to the state agency, not directly to EPA.
The certification has to be renewed before it expires; lapsed certifications mean the firm cannot legally perform RRP work until renewal is complete.