WASHINGTON - The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced a change to the refresher training for renovators currently required under the Lead: Renovation, Repair, and Painting Rule (RRP). Specifically, EPA will allow renovators to take a refresher course without mandatory hands-on training, such as online courses, once every other recertification instead of every time.

Under the revised rule, once a renovator takes the refresher course without the hands-on training, their next refresher training must include hands-on training. The certification from the refresher course without hands-on training will last for three years. Taking the course without hands-on training is optional but once a renovator takes the course, their next refresher course must include hands-on training and be taken within three years of their previous certification. The certification from taking a course with hands-on training will last for five years.

Certified renovators who were grandfathered under EPA lead-based paint courses, or any offered by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development before the 2010 adoption of the RRP Rule, are required to attend a refresher course with a hands-on component.

To view a copy of the pre-publication revised rule, click here.