National Center for Healthy Housing

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency authorizes states, tribes, and territories (hereinafter referred to as "state") to administer and enforce its Renovation, Repair, and Painting (RRP) Rule. The state program must be at least as protective as the EPA RRP program and provide for adequate enforcement. To view EPA's latest guidance to states on authorization and identification of states with authority, see www.epa.gov/lead/pubs/renovation.htm#states.

Most states allow for reciprocity for people who have already been certified by an EPA-accredited training provider and for firms who have already become EPA-certified renovation firms. However, states are allowed to make their own decisions.

Generally, training providers must pursue approval from each state in order to provide training for state certification after the state's rules go into effect. They should be aware that some states are going beyond the EPA's RRP rule and requiring individual renovators to be certified by the state.

EPA has delegated authority to implement the RRP to the following states: Wisconsin, Iowa, North Carolina, Utah, Mississippi, Kansas, Rhode Island, Oregon, Massachusetts, Alabama, Washington, Georgia, Oklahoma, and Delaware (in order of adoption).

The following states have existing rules regarding renovation training but have not adopted RRP: Illinois, New Jersey, Ohio.

For guidelines on how to register as a lead-safe certified firm with EPA or an authorized state, click here.