Environmental Health

Requirements for Lead Supervisors, Workers, Planner/Project Designers and Inspector/Risk Assessors

Important: To help expedite your application, if at all possible, please submit payment via our e-payment system. Once you complete your payment, a confirmation email will be sent to you. You must include a copy of that email with your application to ensure there are no delays in processing the application.

Requirements for those who wish to conduct lead activities in NJ are below.

• Must complete training approved by the NJ Department of Health (NJDOH).
• Supervisors and Inspector/Risk Assessors must pass a third-party state examination and have specific education and experience (see below) before they can apply for a permit the first time.
• Must submit a completed application (see below) to the NJDOH along with required attachments (see below)
• Training for Planner/Project Designers (PPDs) must consist of at least 56 hours of training. Training must include 40 hours of Supervisor for Housing and Public Buildings training and 16 hours of PPD-specific training. Training must be current when applying for a permit.

If you have questions regarding the new "Lead-Based Paint Inspections in Rental Dwelling Units" Law, please go to the New Jersey Department of Community Affair's webpage.  Make sure to bookmark the page so you can check regularly for updates.

• All permits are valid for two (2) years

All applications must include the following:

• Payment must be in the form of a certified bank check, money order or e-payment. No personal checks or cash will be accepted.
• A passport-sized color photo (must be on a white, uncluttered background, no hat, glasses or anything that would disguise the face)

Note: Applicants applying for any of disciplines listed below must either take NJ-Approved training or meet the requirements for reciprocal certification.

Lead Workers for Housing and Public Buildings

These individuals conduct lead abatement work in housing and public buildings. Application (EHS-22) Fee: $80

Lead Supervisors for Housing and Public Buildings 

These individuals supervise lead abatement work in housing and public buildings. Application (EHS-23)  Fee: $150

Initial Applicants must provide proof of the following:

• Proof of passing third-party state examination
• At least one year of experience as a lead abatement worker
• At least two years of experience in a related field or the construction trades
  
  

Lead Workers for Commercial Buildings and Superstructures

These individuals conduct lead abatement work in commercial buildings and on superstructures (ie. bridges and water towers). Application (EHS-26) Fee: $80

Supervisors for Commercial Buildings and Superstructures 

These individuals supervise lead abatement work in commercial buildings and on superstructures (ie. bridges and water towers).  Application (EHS-27) Fee: $150

Initial Applicants must provide proof of the following:

• Proof of passing third-party state examination
• Proof of at least two (2) years of experience in commercial or industrial painting
• Proof of at least one 90 days of experience in field supervision or management in hazardous paint removal within the previous 24 months.
• Proof of work experience demonstrating knowledge of relevant safety practices, waste –handling procedures and of environmental monitoring.

Lead Abatement Planner/Project Designers 

Lead abatement Planner/Project Designers design specifications for lead abatement work in housing and public buildings Application (EHS-25) Fee: $200

Lead Inspector/Risk Assessors

NJDCA's "Lead-Based Paint Inspections in Rental Dwelling Units" Regulations

The NJDOH does not determine what qualifications or certifications an individual is required to have in order to conduct inspections under this Law.  You must contact the NJ Department of Community Affairs (NJDCA) regarding those requirements. You can find additional information about this law on the NJDCA's website.

Important Information for Non-Government Individuals

In order to perform lead inspections and risk assessments in NJ, a NJDOH-certified lead Inspector/Risk Assessor must be employed by a NJ Department of Community Affairs-licensed Lead Evaluation Contractor.

Job Duties and Qualifications:

Lead Inspector/Risk Assessors (IRAs) perform a surface-by-surface inspection in housing and public buildings to determine if lead-based paint is present. IRAs also perform risk assessments, which is an on-site investigation to determine the presence, type, severity and location of lead-based paint hazards. IRAs can provide recommendations on how to control any identified lead hazards and can conduct clearance sampling after the remediation of any lead hazards. Application (EHS-24) Fee: $150

Initial Lead Inspector/Risk Assessor Applicants must provide proof of the following (read the requirements carefully before taking training or applying for the permit):

1. Proof of passing a NJ-approved training course.

2. Proof of passing 2-part third-party state examination

3. Education and Experience - must provide proof of one of the following:

• Bachelor’s degree and two (2) years of experience in a related field*
• One (1) year of experience in a related field* and proof of certification as a Registered Environmental Health Specialist (formerly sanitary inspector-grade 1), Health Officer, Industrial Hygienist, Engineer (building or structural), Registered Architect, or certification and experience in a related environmental-type scientific or inspection field (such as asbestos, lead, environmental remediation, building inspector, construction-related health inspections, safety inspections, etc.)
• A high school diploma (or equivalent) and three (3) years of experience in a related field*

*Applicants must have related experience (active participation in the work activity). Examples of this experience are conducting asbestos, lead, and/or other types of environmental remediation; construction-related health and safety inspections; or other types of environmental or inspection-type work.

• Provide proof of having taken refresher training approved by the NJDOH
• Complete the appropriate application as indicated above
• Payment must be in the form of a certified bank check, money order or e-payment. No personal checks or cash will be accepted
• Submit a passport-sized color photo (must be on a white, uncluttered background, no hat, glasses or anything that would disguise the face) with application
• Applicants must pay all penalties imposed on the applicant by the NJDOH.
• Renewal must be submitted within 90 calendar days prior to or after the permit’s expiration date.

Lead Permit Extensions

Note: Individuals may take refresher training up to six (6) months before their permit expires. 

There are two types of extensions:

1. Permit Extensions: If an individual is unable to acquire refresher training before their permit expires and still needs the permit in order to work, the individual must submit the items below before their permit expires in order to be able to acquire a permit extension. This extension, when carried with the expired permit, will allow the individual to conduct lead activities for which that permit is required.

2. 90-Day Grace Period Extensions: N.J.A.C. 8:62, Standards for Lead Certification, allows individuals to renew a lead permit up to 90 days after that permit expires.  If the individual's permit has expired and they are unable to acquire refresher training before the end of the 90-day grace period (after the permit expires), they must submit the items below in order to acquire this extension. These items must be submitted within the 90-day period after the permit expires in order to have the extension request approved. This extension will not allow you to conduct lead activities, it only allows you to renew your permit.

Important: Barring emergency circumstances, all extension requests submitted after the permit that has been expired more than 90 days will not be approved

Directions on how to Acquire a Lead Permit Extension: 

Required items:

• Complete the appropriate lead permit renewal application (since email is not secure, do not include your social security number on your application)
• Provide a statement regarding why the applicant was not able to acquire lead refresher training in the 6-month period prior to their permit's expiration date.
• Email the completed application to the email address on the back of your lead permit along with:
  • A recent high-quality color passport photo (which meets the requirements listed in the application directions). The photo must be in the .jpg format. 
  • Proof of payment (only epayments will be accepted for extensions)
  • Proof of registration (issued by the training agency) for NJ refresher training (in the discipline you are renewing). The registration must include the name and DOH ID number of the individual applying, along with the date and discipline of the class. Important: Extensions cannot be issued without proof of registration. 
• In order expedite your request, when emailing the above information, please indicate the following on the subject line of your email: Lead Permit Extension
• If an individual does not have the ability to email the application, the above items must be mailed to the address at the top of the application. 

When your extension request has been reviewed and approved, we will email or mail (to individuals with no email address) the extension. If there are any deficiencies, the DOH will contact the applicant for additional information.

Once we receive your lead refresher training (in the appropriate discipline), we will issue your new lead permit.

Canceled Refresher Training Course or Other Reason Applicant Could not Attend Class

If your training course is canceled or you were unable to attend the class, you may need an additional extension.  You must:

• Email confirmation of registrtion for a new refresher training course, to our office before your extension expires.
• Must include a statement regarding why you require an additional extension and why you could not take the prior refresher training.
• Please indicate the following in the subject line of your email: Additional Lead Permit Extension

Applicants who have been trained and permitted outside of New Jersey must

• Must complete Application for Reciprocal Lead Permit (EHS-1) and submit all required documentation, photo and fee (see above requirements)
• Provide proof of a currently valid certification with another state which has received US Environmental Protection Agency authorization to administer and enforce a state lead certification and training program under Title IV of the Toxic Substances Control Act
• Initial Supervisors for Commercial Buildings and Superstructures Applicants will be required to take the third-party state examination. Paperwork will be provided to applicant upon tentative approval of the application. Once proof of passing the examination has been submitted, the application will be approved.
• Workers and Supervisors for Housing and Public Buildings, Inspector/Risk Assessors, or Planner/Project Designers Applicants:  If the applicant is certified in New York State or in another state where the lead program is administered by the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the applicant must complete Section I of the Verification of Lead Licensure Status (EHS-46) form. The form must then be submitted to the EPA.  The EPA will complete Section II of the form and submit the completed form to our office. Note: Reciprocity applications from individuals certified by an EPA-run state will not be approved without a completed EHS-46 form. If you are not sure if EPA administers the program in your state, please contact your certifying office.