Initial Licensing & Renewal Information
Renewals
Renewal applications are sent out 60 days before your expiration date. If you have lost your renewal application or did not receive one contact us for a new copy.
You may be required to complete an initial training course, pass a state licensing exam, have a blood lead test, and/or pay a fee to apply for a lead professional license. Specific requirements vary by license type.
Applying for a New Initial License
Depending on the license type, you may need to:
- Complete an initial training course
- Pass a state licensing exam
- Provide proof of a recent blood lead test
- Pay an application fee
How to Submit Your Application
To apply for a new license:
- Complete the application form (see application links below).
- Include all required documents and fees.
- Mail your application to the address listed on the form.
Please allow up to 15 days for processing. If your application is complete and the correct fee is included, we’ll contact you to schedule a visit to the Department to get your photo ID.
Lead Assessor
- Role: Authorized to enforce housing, health, child welfare, or environmental rules as an official or employee of a municipal or government agency, who has completed Lead Assessor training. Can only perform lead inspections and issue certificates of conformance if completes an apprenticeship.
- Fees and renewal:
- License Fee: $0
- Renewal: Every 2 years
Lead Inspector
- What they do:
- Perform environmental lead inspections including:
- Comprehensive inspections
- Lead Hazard Mitigation inspections
- Clearance inspections (after hazard reduction work)
- Annual reinspections
- Limited inspections for lead in paint, dust, soil, and water
- Perform environmental lead inspections including:
- Certification authority:
- Can issue Full, Partial, or Conditional Lead-Safe Certificates and Certificates of Lead Conformance. Can only use certified environmental lead laboratory.
- Why it matters: Required to verify lead hazard reduction projects and issue official lead safety certificates.
- Fees and renewal:
- License Fee: $400
- Renewal: Every 2 years
Lead Inspector-in-Training (LIT)
- Who they are: Individuals who have completed:
- An EPA-accredited Lead Inspector training course
- The Rhode Island licensing exam
- Restrictions:
- Can only work under supervision
- Cannot perform inspections or issue certificates independently
-
Apprenticeship requirements: To qualify for a full Lead Inspector license, you must complete within 12 months prior to application:
- 15 Comprehensive Environmental Lead Inspections at 15 different properties
- 5 Lead Hazard Reduction (LHR) or Lead Hazard Control (LHC) Clearance Inspections
- 5 Lead Hazard Mitigation (LHM) Inspections
All supervised by a Department-approved Lead Inspector and performed according to state regulations.
Submit your completed apprenticeship documentation to apply for a full Lead Inspector license.
- Fees and validity:
- License Fee: $200
- 1 Year. Valid until completion of apprenticeship or upgrade to full license
Licensed Lead Renovation Firm
- Ensures compliance with all Rhode Island's Renovation, Repair, and Painting (RRP) Rule recordkeeping
- Responsible for hiring certified Lead Renovators
- Must renew license every 5 years (via 4-hour review course)
- 3 years (if recertified online)
- 5 years (if recertified in-person with hands-on training)
- Online training allowed every other cycle
Certified Lead Renovator
- Must be physically present on-site at all times
- Trains non-certified workers on safe practices (must document this training)
- Certification:
- 3 years (if recertified online)
- 5 years (if recertified in-person with hands-on training)
- Online training allowed every other cycle
Licensed Lead Contractor
- Required for all lead hazard reduction work (Abatement) under RI law
- To get licensed, must:
- Complete 40 hours training and exams, plus have a Contractor registration (RICRB)
- Meet medical monitoring and minimum experience/education requirements
- Works under a licensed contractor firm and must:
- Assign a Lead Supervisor (40-hour course with supervisor license) per project
- Ensure Lead Workers (24-hour course) work under on-site supervisor
- Renew every 2 years:
- Contractor: $400
- Worker: $60
License by Reciprocity – Lead Inspector
If you have a Lead Inspector or Lead Assessor license from the EPA or an EPA-authorized state, you may apply for a Rhode Island Lead Inspector license by reciprocity.
You must submit:
- Valid Lead Inspector/Assessor license from EPA or EPA-authorized state
- Proof of EPA-accredited initial training
- Documentation of relevant field experience (subject to RIDOH approval)
- Completion of an 8-hour Rhode Island Lead Inspector review course
- Passing the Rhode Island Lead Inspector exam
- Compliance with Rhode Island’s Licensing of Radioactive Material regulations
- Five supervised Lead Hazard Mitigation inspections performed under a RIDOH-approved inspector
- Satisfactory field audit and report review by RIDOH
- All other application materials as required
- Lead Renovation Firm
- EPA-accredited Rhode Island's Renovation, Repair, and Painting (RRP) Rule training (or state-delegated, e.g., RI, MA) is valid nationwide
- Lead Supervisor
- Firms must be licensed:
- By the delegated state (e.g., RI, MA), or
- By the EPA in EPA-managed states (e.g., CT, NH, VT, ME)
- EPA-accredited Lead Supervisor Training (or state-delegated, e.g., RI, MA)
- 8 Hour Lead Supervisor Review Course
- Firms must be licensed:
- Lead Worker
- Worker must be licensed:
- By the delegated state (e.g., RI, MA), or
- By the EPA in EPA-managed states (e.g., CT, NH, VT, ME)
- EPA-accredited Lead Worker Training (or state-delegated, e.g., RI, MA)
- 8 Hour Lead Worker Review Course
- Worker must be licensed: