Lead Safe Work Practices Resources

Please complete all requested information on the form and submit. The completed form will be directed to the appropriate agency for follow-up

Need to determine if your house actually has lead paint?

Need a Licensed Risk Assessor/Inspector?

Go to DPOR licensed risk assessors/inspectors to obtain information on licensed lead risk assessors in your area. Enter your ZIP Code or the name of the individual you would like to verify current licensure.

The EPA brochure “Finding a Qualified Lead Professional for Your Home”, provides basic tips for checking a lead worker’s background and experience.

Lead Testing Laboratories

Go to  https://www.epa.gov/lead/national-lead-laboratory-accreditation-program-list

The Virginia Division of Consolidated Laboratory Services maintains a searchable list of accredited laboratories.  Go to  https://dgs.virginia.gov/globalassets/document-center/dcls-forms/labcert/20170705-cert-labs-ch-46-expanded.xls  and search for lead.


To report a potential violation of federal Lead-Based Paint regulations (RRP, 1018 Lead Disclosure, or PRE-Rule)

Complete the EPA electronic tip/complaint form:  http://www.epa.gov/tips

You may also call EPA Region III at 215-814-5000 or 800-438-2474.

Don’t Spread Lead: Follow EPA Regulations

Renovating, Repairing, or Painting a House Built Before 1978

Are you getting ready to fix up or do repairs on an older home? If your home was built before 1978, it may contain lead paint. However, the highest levels of lead are found in the paint used in houses built before 1960. If you do repairs or renovations without taking proper precautions, you could put yourself, your family, and your community at risk for lead poisoning, a very serious illness. If your home has lead paint, then common activities-such as scraping an old windowsill or removing paint with a heat gun, can produce dangerous lead dust, chips, and fumes.

It is best to hire a lead certified worker, rather than doing this work yourself. If the project is part of a renovation on your home: 1) make sure you check the individual or firm’s EPA Renovation, Repair, and Painting Rule (RRP) certificate; 2) make sure your contract states all work will be performed using lead-safe work practices; 3) assure clearance testing is performed once the project is completed and 4) you get a copy of the results that show no hazardous lead dust was left behind.

Need to find an EPA RRP certified renovator?
Go to EPA search for a RRP firm or worker
Enter a ZIP Code to find a certified Renovation, Repair, and Painting (RRP) firm.


Don’t Spread Lead: Follow Virginia Regulations

Permanent Removal of Lead-Based Paint Hazards or Lead Abatement
If the main purpose of the project is to make the house lead-safe, and not just as part of an overall renovation project, then you should use a licensed lead abatement firm. Virginia law (CVA 54.1, Chapter 5) requires lead contractors and certain individuals to be licensed before conducting activities that disturb lead based paint. This program is administered by the Virginia Department of Professional and Occupational Regulation (DPOR). Phone (804) 367-8595.

Go to DPOR search for licensed lead contractor or worker to verify license, license status, complaint history and more.

Once you have chosen a lead contractor or individual and checked for any complaints, then the next step is developing a contract for the scope of services. Make sure you specify in the contract the detailed nature of the work. Make sure it is noted that the purpose of the project is to permanently remove lead paint hazards or to abate lead-based paint; as this will protect you, your family, and community in case there are any legal problems.

Before this type of project begins, Virginia regulation (16 VAC 25-35-10) requires written notification of any lead project by the contractor or individual to the Department of Labor and Industry (DOLI) on their department form. There is no fee for residential property (16 VAC 25-35-40) and the provision for notifications for less than the required 20 days (emergency) is available (16 VAC 25-35-30).

Go to DOLI lead notification form

Note: At present, DOLI does not issue an actual permit for lead abatement projects that do not require a fee. Contractors do not have to wait for DOLI to send them a permit to start the project after they have submitted the notification. They only need to submit the notification.