DHSS Home

State Home

Ask Us

Disclaimer


	Home
	Missouri Licensed Lead Professionals
	Training Accreditation
	Reciprocity
	Disciplinary Actions
	Publications
	Related Links
	Laws, Regulations & Manuals
	Frequently Asked Questions
	Applications & Forms
	Contact Us

Frequently Asked Questions

Lead Licensing

General Licensure Questions

What entity governs lead-based paint activities in the State of Missouri?
The Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services, Section for Disease Control and Environmental Epidemiology, Bureau of Environmental Regulation and Licensure, Lead Licensing Program under authority of RSMo 701.300-701.338.

Who must obtain a lead license?
A lead license is required for any person or business which intends to:

Work on a lead abatement project (Lead Abatement worker or supervisor);
Supervise a lead abatement project (Lead abatement supervisor);
Perform a full or limited lead inspection or hold him or herself out as a lead inspector (Lead Inspector);
Perform a full lead risk assessment, elevated blood lead level investigation, risk assessment, or hazard screen risk assessment (Risk Assessor);
Perform lead abatement project clearance testing (Risk Assessor or Lead Inspector);
Design lead abatement projects (Project Designer);
Contract work involving lead-bearing substance activities (Lead Abatement Contractor).

How do I apply for a lead license?
Contact the Lead Licensing Program at (888) 837-0927 or (573) 526-5873. The program will provide an application packet that will include all the necessary information needed to apply for licensure. The application for a Lead License can be found here.

What do I need to include in my application for individual licensure?
To apply for a lead abatement worker, supervisor, project designer, lead inspector or risk assessor license, an individual must submit to the Lead Licensing Program the following:

A completed current application;
A course completion certificate issued by a Lead Licensing Program or EPA accredited training provider for the particular license sought; (Applicants for a Risk Assessor license must also complete an accredited Lead Inspector course. Applicants for a Project Designer license must also complete an accredited Lead Abatement Supervisor course.)
A check or money order made payable to Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services in the amount listed on the application;
Two passport-sized photographs; and
Documentation as evidence of meeting education and/or experience requirements. (For Lead Inspectors and Risk Assessors, if applying for licensure under the High School diploma or GED education/experience requirement, a copy of your High School diploma or GED must be included. If applying for licensure under a degree requirement, a copy of the college diploma or transcripts must also be included.)

What do I need to include in my application for a contractor license?
To apply for a lead abatement contractor license, an entity must submit to the Lead Licensing Program the following:

A completed application form
A check or money order made out to Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services for $250
A copy of the business registration with the Missouri Secretary of State's Office
Proof of general liability insurance.

How long does it take to process my application?
The processing time varies depending on the number of applications received. The average time is 10-14 working days for Lead Abatement Worker, Project Designer, and Lead Abatement Contractor licenses. Processing time for Lead Inspector, Risk Assessor and Lead Abatement Supervisor licenses depend on how soon the applicant takes the state examination and passes it.

Can I apply for licensure before I have completed the appropriate lead training?
You may apply for a license before you have completed an accredited training course. You must complete the appropriate lead training prior to completing the licensure process and taking a third party exam. The Lead Licensing Program must have proof of completion of lead training to complete application processing.

When do I take the State exam for licensure?
Submit your application for licensure as a Lead Risk Assessor, Lead Inspector, or Lead Abatement Supervisor prior to taking the exam. Once your application is approved, the Lead Licensing Program will send you a notice of approval with the dates, times and exam locations. State exams are given twice monthly with one exam in St. Louis and one exam in Kansas City. You must then call our office and register to take the exam. You may also call and schedule an appointment to take the exam at our Jefferson City office. You may not take the third party exam unless the lead licensing program has received an application from you. You have six months from the date of application to take the third party exam.

What does it cost to become licensed to conduct lead-bearing substance activities?

License Category	Initial Fee	Renewal Fee
Lead Abatement Contractor	$250	$250
Lead Abatement Supervisor	$100	$50
Lead Abatement Worker	$100	$50
Lead Inspector	$100	$50
Lead Risk Assessor	$100	$50
Lead Abatement Project Designer	$100	$50

Where can I attend accredited lead training?
A list of current Missouri-accredited lead training providers is available upon request.

How often do I need to take a refresher course?
Once you are licensed, you must complete refresher training sometime before you renew your license. (Renewal applications must be submitted 60 days before your current license expires and must include a copy of the refresher course completion certificate.) Refresher certificates must never be more than 1 year old. If you have never been licensed or your license has expired, you must complete refresher training every year

When does my license expire?
Two years from the date of issuance.

Is there a "grace period" after my license expires?
No. Once a license expires it is no longer valid. This means that you cannot conduct lead-bearing substance activities. However, if a completed renewal application is received within 15 days of expiration the initial fee is waived and the renewal fee is accepted. Fifteen days after the license expiration the full initial licensing fee must be paid but the requirement of a state exam will be waived until 45 days after expiration. 45 days after expiration of a license the applicant will be required to pay the full initial license fee of $100 and take the state certification exam to obtain a license.

Will the program forward a renewal application to me before my license expires?
Yes, however, it is your responsibility to complete a refresher course and renew your license 60 days before it expires. The Lead Licensing Program will send you a notice of the expiration of your license and a renewal license application 180 days before the date of expiration. This notice and application will be sent to your latest home address as reflected in our records. According to 19 CSR 30-70.120(2), you are required to notify the Lead Licensing Program immediately when you change your home address or employer.

Will the Missouri Lead Licensing program approve a license through reciprocity?
Missouri currently has reciprocity agreements in place with the states of Kansas, Illinois, Nebraska, and Texas. Missouri also has Reciprocity with states that are administered by an EPA regional office. These states include: Alaska, Arizona, New Mexico, Nevada, Idaho, Montana, Wyoming, South Dakota, Florida, South Carolina, and New York.

Licensed Contractor Questions

Do I have to be licensed by the Lead Licensing Program to conduct renovation and remodeling activities in a dwelling that contains lead-based paint?
Not Currently. Renovation firms who perform renovation for compensation in pre-1978 residential housing and child-occupied facilities in Missouri will be required to be certified by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency(EPA) after April 22 , 2010. Incidental lead-based paint disturbance through remodeling activities or general maintenance does not meet our definition of abatement, therefore Lead Abatement Licenses are not required. Guidance is available from the Lead Licensing Program or the U.S. EPA for conducting renovation and remodeling activities safely.

If I am a renovation contractor what responsibilities do I have related to lead?
Federal law requires renovators to distribute the EPA pamphlet “Renovate Right: Important Lead Hazard Information for Families, Child Care Providers, and Schools ” to owners and occupants of most housing or child occupied facilities built prior to 1978 before commencing renovation activities that disrupt more than 2 square feet of paint per component.

Do individuals/contractors involved in demolition of structures with components containing lead-bearing substances need to be licensed by the Lead Licensing Program?
No. Demolition of structures with components containing lead-bearing substances does not meet our definition of abatement. Licensure is required if the lead-bearing substance on the surface of the components, or the components as a whole, are being abated prior to demolition.

Who needs to be licensed as a lead abatement contractor?
Any individual, sole proprietorship, company or corporation that conducts lead-bearing substance activities at a location other than the contractor's own place of business shall be licensed as a lead abatement contractor. This includes businesses conducting lead abatement projects, lead inspections, risk assessments, or post-abatement clearance testing.

If I am licensed as a lead abatement supervisor, do I have to be licensed as a lead abatement worker as well?
No. A licensed lead abatement supervisor can perform all the lead abatement activities that a licensed lead abatement worker can without also being licensed as a lead abatement worker.

Who is required to submit a lead-abatement project notification?
The lead abatement contractor must submit a lead abatement project notification to the Lead Licensing Program 10 business days prior to the onset of lead abatement activities. The lead abatement project notification applies to all lead abatement projects conducted in Missouri. A $25.00 fee must be submitted with the lead abatement project notification. Project notification forms can be obtained from the Lead Licensing Program upon request.

How do I dispose of lead-contaminated waste and debris following abatement?
The Missouri Department of Natural Resources, Division of Environmental Quality, Hazardous Waste Program regulates the disposal of wastes contaminated with lead and other heavy metals. You may contact the DNR Hazardous Waste Program by telephone to find out their requirements at: 573-751-7560. Technical bulletins regarding hazardous waste disposal can be found at: http://www.dnr.mo.gov/pubs/pub2002.pdf and http://www.dnr.mo.gov/pubs/pub2045.pdf

When is a licensed lead abatement contractor required for construction work in residential, child day care facilities, or schools?
For any work where lead abatement is intended - either because federal rules require abatement of lead hazards or lead abatement is preferred by the owner or other funding source.

When must a lead abatement supervisor be present at the lead abatement work site?

During work site preparation.
During post abatement cleanup.
At any other time a lead abatement project work is notified until clearance is obtained.

Can I perform lead abatement activities on a dwelling that I own without being licensed as a lead abatement professional?
A property owner may personally perform lead abatement activities on a dwelling they own without being licensed as a lead abatement professional unless the dwelling is occupied by a person or persons other than the owner or the owners immediate family and no elevated blood lead level child (EBL) has been identified as an occupant in the building. If the dwelling is unoccupied (i.e. not under a lease agreement) the owner may also personally conduct lead abatement activities without being licensed. "Personally perform" means the owner himself. This does not include friends, relatives and employees of the owner. The owner should consult with the Lead Licensing Program to protect their own health and anyone who may be on site after work is complete.

If I intend to totally demolish a residential unit or childcare facility that contains or may contain lead, does the work need to be done by licensed individuals?
No, the workers and their supervisor are not required to be lead licensed when demolishing a building since the residential unit, child daycare facility or school will no longer exist. However, you should check with local, state and federal agencies for other requirements. Contact the Missouri Department of Natural Resources Solid Waste Program about disposal of construction and demolition debris.

Inspection and Risk Assessment Questions

Can I collect paint chip, soil, or dust wipe samples without being licensed as a lead inspector or risk assessor?
If you are collecting paint chip, soil, or dust wipe samples in order to determine the presence or concentration of lead as part of a Lead Inspection, Lead Risk Assessment, Lead Hazard Screen, or Clearance Inspection then you must be licensed as a lead inspector or risk assessor.

Do I have to be licensed as a lead inspector or risk assessor to use an XRF?
If your intent is to use the XRF to determine the presence or concentration of lead and to report your findings based on the XRF results, then you must be licensed as a lead inspector or risk assessor. The XRF should be registered with the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services Office of Radiation Control. You are required to have received training from the XRF manufacturer on safe and proper operation of the instrument.

If I am licensed as a risk assessor, do I have to be licensed as a lead inspector to conduct lead inspections?
No. A licensed lead risk assessor can perform all the activities of a lead inspector without also being licensed as a lead inspector. Licensed lead inspectors who desire to conduct risk assessment activities must be licensed as a risk assessor.

Can a lead risk assessor write lead abatement project specifications?
No. Only a licensed lead abatement supervisor or licensed lead abatement project designer may prepare specifications. A lead risk assessor recommends abatement options for identified lead hazards and recommends prioritization for addressing each hazard in a risk assessment report.

Can a licensed lead inspector or lead risk assessor conduct limited testing, screening, surveying, or evaluation for the presence of lead-based paint or lead-based paint hazards?
Yes. Partial testing for the presence of lead-based paint or lead-based paint hazards is permitted, if less than a full lead inspection or risk assessment is needed or desired. Their report should reflect that testing was less than a full lead risk assessment or lead inspection.

What procedure do I follow for using an X-ray fluorescence analyzer to test for the presence of lead in paint, or for performing a lead inspection of a residential dwelling, child occupied facility?
You should follow the most current HUD Guidelines for the Evaluation and Control of Lead-Based Paint Hazards in Housing, Chapter 7, Lead-Based Paint Inspection. You should also refer to the XRF manufacturer’s recommendations. Quality control calibration checks must be performed according to the manufacturer’s specifications or results cannot be considered valid.