Online Test Taking to Jump Start Your Career

Do I need some sort of special education or background to be trained for any of the disciplines in the lead hazard reduction field? What about to become certified?

There are no prerequisites to be trained. However, there are education and/or experience prerequisites for certification. The education and/or experience prerequisites for certification vary for the different lead-based paint professional disciplines included in the sections 402/404 rule. For example:

• INSPECTORS and WORKERS: no experience or education requirements;
• SUPERVISORS: one year of experience as a certified lead-based paint abatement worker, OR at least two years of experience in a related field (such as lead, asbestos, or environmental remediation work), or in the building trades;
• RISK ASSESSORS: a Bachelor degree and 1 year of experience in a related field (e.g., lead, asbestos, environmental remediation work, or construction), OR an Associate degree and 2 years experience in a related field (e.g., lead, asbestos, environmental remediation work, or construction); OR 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 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).
• PROJECT DESIGNERS: successful completion of an accredited training course for supervisors, AND a 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 four years of experience in building construction and design or a related field.

Readers interested in the specific requirements should consult the rule text in section 745.226. Note that States and Indian Tribes that receive authorization to run their own programs may have slightly different certification requirements.