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Requirements For Becoming A
Lead Inspector
Kansas Department of Health and Environment
Residential Childhood Lead Poisoning Prevention Program
As Pursuant to Kansas Administrative Regulations effective September 13, 1999.
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What is a Lead Inspector?
A Lead Inspector is a certified individual who conducts a surface-by-surface investigation to determine the presence
of lead-based paint, determining the existence, nature, severity, and location of lead-based paint hazards in an entire
residential dwelling or child-occupied facility, and provides a written report explaining the results of the investigation
and options for reducing lead-based paint hazards to the person requesting the lead inspection.
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How do I apply to become a Lead Inspector?
Within one year of successfully completing a KDHE- or EPA-accredited training program, submit a completed Lead
Occupation Certificate Application / Application by Reciprocity form, along with a copy of your KDHE- or EPA-accredited lead inspector training program certificates, and any required refresher completion certificates for the lead
inspector occupation. You must also include all evidence documenting your education and experience that would fulfill
the requirements of a lead inspector, a check or money order made payable to KDHE for the nonrefundable $200 fee,
and two recent, passport-size color photographs of your face without a hat or sunglasses. (Computer-generated or
photocopied photographs cannot be accepted.)
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Where can I get a Lead Occupation Certificate Application / Application by Reciprocity form?
Contact the Healthy Homes and Lead Hazard Prevention Program
at (785) 296-5606 or navigate to http://www.kdheks.gov/lead/forms/ks101.pdf.
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What qualifications are required to become a lead inspector?
Education qualifications-(must meet at least one of the following)
- A Bachelor's degree;
- An Associate's degree and one year experience in a related field such as lead, asbestos, housing repair or
inspection, and/or inspection, and or environmental hazard remediation work;
- A high school diploma or certificate of high school equivalency (GED) and two years of experience in one
or more of the above mentioned related fields.
Training qualifications-
Each applicant for certification as a lead inspector shall complete a KDHE- or EPA-accredited lead inspector
training program and pass the course examination and the national third-party examination, each with a score of
70% or more.
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What are approved documents recognized by KDHE as evidence of meeting the education, work experience,
and training requirements?
Evidence of Education - Official academic transcripts or diplomas.
Evidence of Work experience - Resumes, letters of reference, or documentation of work experience, which at a
minimum shall include specific dates of employment, each employer's name, address, and telephone number, and
specific job duties.
Evidence of Training - Course completion certificates issued by the KDHE- or EPA-accredited training provider.
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How much are the fees to become a lead inspector?*
| Initial fee
|
$200
|
| Re-certification fee |
$100 |
| Certification by Reciprocity fee |
$200 |
| National Third Party Examination fee |
$50 |
*all fees are nonrefundable
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What is the National Third Party Exam?
The national third party exam is a competency exam to test your knowledge and ability to perform the duties of a
lead inspector. You must complete a KDHE- or EPA-accredited lead inspector training course to take the national
third party exam. A passing score of 70% is required to successfully pass the exam. The
National Third Party Exam
is offered several times a year, contact your training provider or the Residential Childhood Lead Poisoning
Prevention Program for dates, times and locations. The applicant must pass the exam within 180 days of successful
completion of the training program to receive certification.
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What if I don't pass the National Third Party
Exam?
After successful completion of a KDHE- or EPA-accredited training program, the applicant may take the
National Third Party Exam a maximum of three times within 180 calendar days of notice of an approved application. If an
applicant allows 180 calendar days to pass after notification of an approved application or the applicant should fail
the national third party exam three times, whichever comes first, the applicant will be denied certification. The
applicant may reapply to KDHE, but must successfully complete a KDHE- or EPA-accredited training program
prior to submitting application.
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How do I apply for re-certification?
The certified individual applying for renewal shall complete the eight-hour KDHE- or EPA-accredited refresher
course for lead inspectors. Submit a completed application for renewal of certificate to KDHE at least 60 days
before the certificate's expiration date as indicated on the certificate. Failure of the certified individual to submit an
application at least 60 days before the certificate's expiration date may result in the certificate not being renewed
before the current certification expires. A completed application includes the required supporting documentation,
two recent photographs as described in this pamphlet, and the nonrefundable
re-certification fee of $100 by check
or money order made payable to KDHE.
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I am certified/licensed in another state, can I apply for certification by reciprocity?
Yes, if the state you are certified/licensed in has a reciprocity agreement with KDHE. Check with your state
agency, or contact KDHE for updated state reciprocity agreements. You must follow all of the procedures outlined
for an individual applying for certification as a lead inspector. (See "How do I apply to become a Lead Inspector?"
in this pamphlet) Include a copy of the EPA-approved state licensure/ certification
certificate(s) for a lead inspector
occupation in other states, proper documentation of meeting education and or experience requirements, a check or
money order for the nonrefundable application fee of $200 and two recent, passport-size color photographs of your
face without a hat or sunglasses. (Computer-generated or photocopied photographs are not acceptable.)
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How will I know if I was approved or denied certification?
The applicant shall be informed by KDHE in writing that the application is approved, incomplete, or denied.
An incomplete application notice will be accompanied by a list of necessary items and/or information required to
complete the application. The applicant will have 30 days to correct omissions or the application will be denied.
An approved application notice will indicate the date your 180-day period begins to pass the national third party
exam. When an application for certification is denied, the written notice of denial to the applicant shall specify the
reasons for the denial. If an applicant is wrongfully denied by a determination to deny certification, the applicant
may appeal KDHE's denial to the administrative hearing commission as provided by the Kansas administrative
procedure act.
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What happens after I pass the National
Third Party Exam?
After the applicant passes the national third-party examination, a two-year lead inspector certificate and a photo
identification badge may be issued by KDHE.
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What would cause my application to be denied?
Certification may be denied by KDHE for any of the following reasons:
- Failure to meet minimum education or experience requirements;
- Not having correct type or amount of training;
- Providing false or misleading statements in the application;
- Failure to achieve a passing score on the national third-party exam after three attempts;
- Failure to submit a complete application;
- Three or more citations or violations within the past two years of any existing local, state, or federal lead-based paint activity regulations or standards;
- Three or more violations within the past two years of 29 CFR 1926.62 or 29 CFR 1910.1200, both revised as
of July 1, 1998;
- Fraud or failure to disclose facts relevant to the application;
- Permitting the duplication or use by another of the individual's certificate;
- Any other information that may affect the applicant's ability to appropriately perform lead inspections, or;
- Final disciplinary action, for any violation of lead-based paint activity standards, against the certified
individual by another state, territory, federal agency, or country, whether or not voluntarily agreed to by the
certified individual, including the denial of certification, surrender of the certificate, allowing the certificate
to expire, or discontinuing or restricting the certificate while subject to investigation or while actually under
investigation by another state, territory, federal agency, or country.
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Contact Information:
Barry Brooks, Director
Residential Childhood Lead Poisoning Prevention Program
KDHE has recently moved to the Charles Curtis State Office Building,
1000 SW Jackson, Topeka, KS 66611 (12-20-2001 = JC)
Mills Building
109 SW 9th, Suite 604
Topeka, KS 66612
Phone:(785) 296-5606
email: bbrooks@kdhe.state.ks.us
Website: www.kdheks.gov/lead