EPA Extends Certification Expiration Dates
You may have more time to recertify
EPA is extending the certifications of certain individual renovators under the Lead Renovation, Repair, and Painting (RRP) rule. The extensions only apply to individual renovators who must get recertification training within the timeframes explained in the rule. The extensions do not apply to firm certifications.
The EPA signed the rule to extend the certifications for certain individual renovators. Specifically this rule pertains to individual renovators who received certification prior to March 31, 2011.
What does this mean?
- Individual renovators who received certification on or before March 31, 2010, now have until March 31, 2016, to get recertified.
- Individual renovators who received certification between April 1, 2010, and March 31, 2011, will have one year added to their 5-year certification.
- Subsequent certifications for renovators receiving the extension will be five years.
These extensions do not apply to renovators under authorized state programs.
Why the Extension? In January 2015, the EPA proposed a rule that could change the refresher training requirements for recertification. One change under consideration in the rule is to remove the hands-on required module of the refresher training. If removed, renovators could take the refresher course online, without having to travel to a classroom. If the agency does issue a final rule to eliminate this hands-on requirement, it may not happen until the end of 2015.
The EPA is extending the deadline for the renovators whose certifications would have otherwise expired before the rule could be finalized.
The extensions do not apply to individual renovators that need their initial certification.