Frequent Questions About Applying for Certification or Accreditation

Abatement vs. RRP Activities

What is the difference between abatement and RRP activities?

Abatement is a specialized activity designed to address lead in the home. RRP activities (including most home contracting work) disturb paint as a consequence of the activity, but they are often undertaken for reasons unrelated to lead issues. For more information about distinctions between abatement and RRP activities, visit EPA's Lead Abatement vs. Lead RRP webpage.

Question Number: 23002-37001

Firm Certification for RRP & Abatement

How does my firm become RRP-certified?

EPA's RRP program applies to all states, Tribes and territories where EPA has not specifically provided authorization for that state, Tribe or territory to operate the program themselves.

Currently, there are 15 states and 1 Tribe that are authorized by EPA to operate their own RRP programs in lieu of the federal program. Contractors working in these states: Alabama, Delaware, Georgia, Iowa, Kansas, Massachusetts, Mississippi, North Carolina, Oklahoma, Oregon, Rhode Island, Utah, Vermont, Washington, and Wisconsin, or in the Bois Forte Tribe should contact the respective state or Tribe for more information about their training and certification requirements.

Firms operating in all other states, territories or Tribes administered by EPA can become certified by first searching for their firm online. If you cannot locate your firm using the search and can confirm your firm does not have a current or pending certification, you can begin an application to certify a new firm by first clicking on the "Unable to find your firm?" button at the bottom of the "Results" section.

Note that if you work in more than one state, you may need both EPA and state certifications.

Question Number: 23002-37002

How does my firm become certified under the lead-based paint activities (abatement, inspection and risk assessment) program?

EPA's lead-based paint activities (abatement, inspection and risk assessment) program applies to all states, Tribes and territories where EPA has not specifically provided authorization for that state, Tribe or territory to operate the program themselves.

EPA only administers the lead-based paint activities program in the following states and territories: Alaska, Arizona, Florida, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, New Mexico, New York, South Carolina, South Dakota, Wyoming, American Samoa, Guam, Northern Mariana Islands, U.S. Virgin Islands and all Tribal lands except the Cherokee Nation, Lower Sioux Indian Community, Upper Sioux Community Pezihutazizi Oyate and the Bois Forte Band of Chippewa. Contractors working in these areas can become certified by first searching for their firm online. If you cannot locate your firm using the search and can confirm your firm does not have a current or pending certification, you can begin an application to certify a new firm by first clicking on the "Unable to find your firm?" button at the bottom of the “Results” page. If you work in more than one state, you may need both EPA and state certifications.

Firms operating in any states or territories not listed in the previous paragraph should contact the respective state or territory for more information about their training and certification requirements using links to the respective state or Tribe.

Note that if you work in more than one state, you may need both EPA and state certifications.

Question Number: 23002-37003

Who is the attesting individual?

The attesting individual is the individual completing the application, who affirms that their firm will only use certified people and appropriate work practice standards as required under § 745.227 when conducting lead-based paint activities.

Question Number: 23002-37004

How can I find the status of my firm application?

You will receive an email from lead.paint@epa.gov when your application is approved. The email will include PDF copies of your approval letter and certificate. Renovation firms will also receive a customized logo and guidelines for its use in the approval email. Applications are typically processed in two to three weeks. You will be contacted if an issue arises in the processing of your application.

Your certificate and customized logo are also sent to your CDX inbox, so if you don’t see the approval in your email check there. Just keep in mind that it may take a week or two for the application to be approved.

You can also check the status of your firm certification application, download a copy of a recently issued certificate, or retrieve your customized logo online in your CDX inbox. To access this service, go to EPA's Central Data Exchange (CDX) and log in using your CDX user ID and password. Once logged in go to the “Progress Tracker” section for your firm information.

Question Number: 23002-37005

It’s been several weeks since I applied for firm certification and I haven’t received my certificate yet. What do I do?

Approvals are sent by email, and occasionally these messages end up in your junk or spam email folder. Check in your junk or spam folders for an email from lead.paint@epa.gov.

Your certificate and customized logo are also sent to your CDX inbox, so if you don’t see the approval in your email, check there. To access this service, go to EPA's Central Data Exchange (CDX) and log in using your CDX user ID and password.

Question Number: 23002-37006

What if I accidentally submitted my application for the wrong certification? (i.e. I requested firm RRP certification instead of abatement certification)

Contact the CDX Help Desk at 1-888-890-1995 (970-494-5500 for international callers), cdx-helpdesk@epa.gov or use the online chat portal for assistance.

Question Number: 23002-37007

How do I submit an abatement notification?

Submit abatement notifications through CDX using the “Abatement Notifications” link on the MyCDX homepage. If you do not have a CDX account with access to this link, contact the CDX Helpdesk at 1-888-890-1995 or cdx-helpdesk@epa.gov for assistance.

Question Number: 23002-37021

Using EPA’s Online Application System & e-Signatures

Can everyone at my firm use the same CDX account?

No. A CDX account can only be registered to one person and cannot be shared or transferred. Misuse of credentials for a government system is a federal offense.

Question Number: 23002-37008

I clicked the “Submit” button to submit my application and nothing happened, or I received an error message. What do I do?

Please contact the CDX Help Desk at 1-888-890-1995 (970-494-5500 for international callers) or cdx-helpdesk@epa.gov for assistance.

Question Number: 23002-37014

What do I do if I need to mail a paper Electronic Signature Agreement (ESA) due to Identity Proofing failure?

A paper ESA will be sent to the email address provided on your application. A copy of this form can also be found in your CDX inbox. Print this form, sign it, and mail it to:

EPA Lead Data Processing Center c/o CGI Federal
12601 Fair Lakes Circle
Fairfax, VA 22033

The address is EPA's Lead Data Processing Center, staffed by CGI Federal.

Question Number: 23002-37019

Do I need a new CDX account if I am associated with more than one organization?

No. You can submit on behalf of multiple organizations through the same account by selecting or adding the appropriate organization within the application. You must submit a separate application for each organization.

Question Number: 23002-37020

What if I never receive a confirmation email after I complete and submit my application?

Check your junk or spam email folder for a message from lead.paint@epa.gov. Any important documents that may have been transmitted in the email, such as your exam letter if you are required to take an exam, can also be found in your CDX inbox.

We recommend that you adjust your email settings to receive emails from the sender lead.paint@epa.gov to prevent future transmissions from being blocked.

Question Number: 23002-37022

Individual Certification

How do I become certified as an individual in the Lead-based Paint Activities (abatement, inspection and risk assessment) program?

EPA's Lead-based Paint Activities (abatement, inspection and risk assessment) program applies to all states, Tribes and territories where EPA has not specifically provided authorization for that state, tribe or territory to operate the program themselves.

EPA only administers the Lead-based Paint Activities program in the following states, and territories: Alaska, Arizona, Florida, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, New Mexico, New York, South Carolina, South Dakota, Wyoming, American Samoa, Guam, Northern Mariana Islands and U.S. Virgin Islands. EPA also administers the program in all Tribal Lands except the Cherokee Nation, Lower Sioux Indian Community, Upper Sioux Community Pezihutazizi Oyate and the Bois Forte Band of Chippewa. Individuals working in these areas that are seeking a lead-based paint activities certification or recertification must submit applications online by visiting Lead-Based Paint Abatement and Evaluation Program: Individual Certification and proceeding to EPA's Central Data Exchange (CDX) from there.

Individuals working in any states or territories not listed in the previous paragraph should contact the respective state or territory for more information about their training and certification requirements using the links provided on EPA's webpage.

Note that if you work in more than one state, you may need both EPA federal and state certifications.

Question Number: 23002-37009

How can I find the status of my individual application?

For applications that do not require a third-party exam, you will receive an approval package by email when your application is approved. Please note that processing times may vary but generally take between 2 to 3 weeks. You will be contacted if an issue arises in the processing of your application. Approval packages are emailed from lead.paint@epa.gov. To help ensure receipt of email correspondence, we recommend you add the lead.paint@epa.gov email address to your contacts to ensure it arrives in your inbox rather than a spam folder.

For applications requiring a third-party exam, you will receive testing information at the end of your online application process (this is also available in your CDX inbox). The fee for your first exam attempt was included in your application fee, a $70 fee is required for each additional exam attempt needed. Once you pass the third-party exam, you will receive an approval package by mail when your application is approved. Please note that processing times may vary but generally take 2 to 3 weeks. You will be contacted if an issue arises in the processing of your application.

Question Number: 23002-37011

Training Provider Accreditation

How do I become accredited as a training provider?

Trainers seeking accreditation in an EPA-administered state must submit their applications and fees online through EPA’s Central Data Exchange (CDX) system, the EPA’s electronic reporting system. If you have not previously created a CDX account, click "Register with CDX", accept the terms, choose "LEAD: Lead-Based Paint Program", and select "Training Provider Application". Complete the application as necessary – it will gather your program’s information and allow you to pay the appropriate fees securely. A confirmation email will be sent to your inbox when an application is completed.

Trainers seeking accreditation in states, Tribes and territories not administered by EPA should contact the respective state, Tribe or territory for more information about their training and certification requirements. Note that if you work in more than one state, you may need both EPA federal and state certifications.

The following links provide more information about applying for accreditation as an abatement or renovation trainer. They also include links to states, Tribes, and territories authorized by EPA to run their own programs.

Question Number: 23002-37010

How can I find the status of my training provider application?

Training provider applications are reviewed by staff in your EPA regional office. Should you have questions regarding your application, contact your regional office.

Question Number: 23002-37012

I am an accredited training provider. How do I submit my course schedule and student information?

Please access the training provider dashboard on the MyCDX homepage to submit your course schedule and student information. If you have an existing accreditation number but do not have an account to access the dashboard, contact the CDX Help Desk at 1-888-890-1995 (970-494-5500 for international callers) or cdx-helpdesk@epa.gov.

Question Number: 23002-37018

Fees & Payments

How do I verify that the fees I am being asked to pay are correct?

Click the link below that applies to your application type:

If you still have questions, call the National Lead Information Center at 1-800-424-LEAD (5323).

Question Number: 23002-37013

How do I cancel a payment charged to my credit or debit card?

To request a refund for application fees, or for any concerns regarding online payments, contact the CDX Help Desk at 1-888-890-1995 (970-494-5500 for international callers) or cdx-helpdesk@epa.gov for assistance.

Question Number: 23002-37015

How do I know that my transaction will be secure?

Online transactions are managed by the U.S. Department of Treasury. For more information regarding the security controls in place to protect your transactions, please visit Pay.gov Privacy and Security Policy.

Question Number: 23002-37016

What is an ACH debit transaction?

An ACH debit transaction is a debit directly from a personal savings, personal checking or business checking account. In some instances, business checking accounts may not permit ACH transactions. In order to conduct an ACH transaction, you will need to provide your bank’s routing number and your account information. In most instances, you can enter paper checks as ACH transactions by providing the check number on the application. If you have additional questions, please call the National Lead Information Center 1-800-424-LEAD.

Question Number: 23002-37017