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California Lead-Based Paint Inspector — Requirements & Free Practice

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inspector/assessor (i/a) certificate

Certification for inspecting buildings for lead and assessing lead hazards; applicants must pass the Inspector/Assessor certification examination before applying.

Licensing authority: California Department of Public Health · Application information

Annual renewal with continuing education maintained
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Application
Provide CDPH 8553, applicant information and signature, certificate number and expiration date, and the non-refundable $135 renewal fee (17 CCR § 35095(b)). CDPH 8553 also requires a recent photograph.
Certificate term
Renew annually; the certificate remains non-transferable and valid for one year (17 CCR § 35096(f)).
Continuing education
Complete at least seven contact hours of CDPH-approved general continuing education every two years. Supply the original CDPH 8493 completion form if it was not submitted in the previous year (17 CCR §§ 35095(b)(1)(A), 35096(f)(1)).
Existing certificate
Applicant holds or previously held a full CDPH Lead Inspector/Assessor certificate. Renewal of that credential involves no new statewide certification examination under the complete renewal requirements of 17 CCR §§ 35095(b), 35096(f).
Timing
Apply at least 120 calendar days before certificate expiration (17 CCR § 35082(d)).

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-09-22.

Renewal of a certificate expired no more than three years, with continuing education maintained
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Application
Provide CDPH 8553, applicant information and signature, certificate number and expiration date, and the non-refundable $135 renewal fee (17 CCR § 35095(b)). CDPH 8553 also requires a recent photograph.
Certificate term
Renew annually; the certificate remains non-transferable and valid for one year (17 CCR § 35096(f)).
Continuing education
Complete at least seven contact hours of CDPH-approved general continuing education every two years. Supply the original CDPH 8493 completion form if it was not submitted in the previous year (17 CCR §§ 35095(b)(1)(A), 35096(f)(1)).
Existing certificate
Applicant holds or previously held a full CDPH Lead Inspector/Assessor certificate. Renewal of that credential involves no new statewide certification examination under the complete renewal requirements of 17 CCR §§ 35095(b), 35096(f).
Expiration
The full certificate expired no more than three years ago; the two-year continuing education requirement has been maintained. Section 35096(f)(2) requires repeat initial training only when renewal is more than three years after expiration; CDPH 8553 describes routine expired renewal as less than three years. At exactly three years the higher-ranked rule does not trigger repeat initial training.
Practice restriction
Do not perform work requiring CDPH certification while the certificate is expired; CDPH 8553 states there is no grace period. Renewal establishes a new expiration date and retains the certificate ID.

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-09-22.

Full certification following an expired interim Inspector/Assessor certificate
Lead Inspector/Assessor Certification Exam
Application review
CDPH may consider training, missing documentation, prior citations or violations, prior certificate revocation, and false or misleading application statements (17 CCR § 35096(e)).
Current application practice
17 CCR § 35096(b)-(c) describes permission to sit and certification after passing. The CDPH exam instructions state: "You may take the exam at any time. However, you need to pass the exam before you apply to CDPH for certification." Supply the CPS HR passing-results letter with the application.
Lapsed interim requirements
For failure to apply within one year of interim-certificate expiration, comply with applicable § 35083(b), § 35095(b) and § 35096(f)(1), as directed by § 35093(f), including applicable training, education and experience and continuing education. Current § 35083 also requires the state certification examination.
Prior interim certificate
Hold a former interim Inspector/Assessor certificate. Section 35093(a) closed interim applications in 1998 and bars renewal of interim certificates with expiration dates after April 30, 1999; it expressly requires the Department certification examination for full certification. This is issuance of the ordinary certificate.
Training age
Apply within one year after the course-completion form was issued. If more than one year, complete at least seven contact hours of general continuing education; if more than three years, retake the approved course (17 CCR § 35082(a)-(c)).
Initial certification — associate degree or college units and experience
Lead Inspector/Assessor Certification Exam
Application
Provide CDPH 8488, the non-refundable $135 certification application fee, applicant identification and contact information, applicable education and experience proof, two passport-style one-inch-by-one-inch photographs, and a signed declaration under penalty of perjury (17 CCR § 35095(a)). The implementing CDPH 8488 (7/20) instead directs a photo print at least two inches square or an emailed digital photograph.
Application review
CDPH may consider training, missing documentation, prior citations or violations, prior certificate revocation, and false or misleading application statements (17 CCR § 35096(e)).
Board rehs documentation
The implementing CDPH online initial-requirements table lists "Registerered Environmental Health Specialist (REHS)" under Inspector/Assessor education and "Registered Environmental Health Specialist (REHS)" under experience. The current controlling 17 CCR § 35083 still specifies the CIH or degree/schooling-and-experience eligibility alternatives; the table does not replace those requirements.
Certificate term
The certificate is non-transferable and effective for one year; certification requires annual renewal (17 CCR § 35096(f)).
Course assessment
Complete the end-of-course examination included in the CDPH-accredited training. CDPH distinguishes this provider course assessment from the separately registered statewide Inspector/Assessor examination; the course assessment is part of the training qualification.
Education
An associate degree or 20 semester/30 quarter units in biological, chemical or physical science, or a related field.
Examination retake rule
17 CCR § 35096(c)(1)-(2) limits permission-based examination attempts to three within 180 days and requires repeat discipline training if the applicant does not pass within the permission period. The CDPH study guide instead states: "You may take the exam as many times as you need to in order to pass." The higher-ranked regulatory permission rule remains recorded.
Examination timing
17 CCR § 35096(b)-(c) describes permission to sit and certification after passing. The CDPH exam instructions state: "You may take the exam at any time. However, you need to pass the exam before you apply to CDPH for certification." Supply the CPS HR passing-results letter with the application.
Experience
Two years of qualifying inspection, assessment or environmental-project-design experience in lead-related construction or a related field, as specified in 17 CCR § 35083(b)(2).
Training
Complete the CDPH-approved 40-contact-hour Inspection and Assessment course.
Training age
Apply within one year after the course-completion form was issued. If more than one year, complete at least seven contact hours of general continuing education; if more than three years, retake the approved course (17 CCR § 35082(a)-(c)).
Training document
Supply the original CDPH Form 8493 from a CDPH-accredited training provider for the required course (17 CCR § 35095(a)(3)(A)).
Initial certification — bachelor degree and experience
Lead Inspector/Assessor Certification Exam
Application
Provide CDPH 8488, the non-refundable $135 certification application fee, applicant identification and contact information, applicable education and experience proof, two passport-style one-inch-by-one-inch photographs, and a signed declaration under penalty of perjury (17 CCR § 35095(a)). The implementing CDPH 8488 (7/20) instead directs a photo print at least two inches square or an emailed digital photograph.
Application review
CDPH may consider training, missing documentation, prior citations or violations, prior certificate revocation, and false or misleading application statements (17 CCR § 35096(e)).
Board rehs documentation
The implementing CDPH online initial-requirements table lists "Registerered Environmental Health Specialist (REHS)" under Inspector/Assessor education and "Registered Environmental Health Specialist (REHS)" under experience. The current controlling 17 CCR § 35083 still specifies the CIH or degree/schooling-and-experience eligibility alternatives; the table does not replace those requirements.
Certificate term
The certificate is non-transferable and effective for one year; certification requires annual renewal (17 CCR § 35096(f)).
Course assessment
Complete the end-of-course examination included in the CDPH-accredited training. CDPH distinguishes this provider course assessment from the separately registered statewide Inspector/Assessor examination; the course assessment is part of the training qualification.
Education
A bachelor degree in biological, chemical or physical science, or a related field.
Examination retake rule
17 CCR § 35096(c)(1)-(2) limits permission-based examination attempts to three within 180 days and requires repeat discipline training if the applicant does not pass within the permission period. The CDPH study guide instead states: "You may take the exam as many times as you need to in order to pass." The higher-ranked regulatory permission rule remains recorded.
Examination timing
17 CCR § 35096(b)-(c) describes permission to sit and certification after passing. The CDPH exam instructions state: "You may take the exam at any time. However, you need to pass the exam before you apply to CDPH for certification." Supply the CPS HR passing-results letter with the application.
Experience
One year of qualifying inspection, assessment or environmental-project-design experience in lead-related construction or a related field, as specified in 17 CCR § 35083(b)(1).
Training
Complete the CDPH-approved 40-contact-hour Inspection and Assessment course.
Training age
Apply within one year after the course-completion form was issued. If more than one year, complete at least seven contact hours of general continuing education; if more than three years, retake the approved course (17 CCR § 35082(a)-(c)).
Training document
Supply the original CDPH Form 8493 from a CDPH-accredited training provider for the required course (17 CCR § 35095(a)(3)(A)).
Initial certification — certified industrial hygienist
Lead Inspector/Assessor Certification Exam
Application
Provide CDPH 8488, the non-refundable $135 certification application fee, applicant identification and contact information, applicable education and experience proof, two passport-style one-inch-by-one-inch photographs, and a signed declaration under penalty of perjury (17 CCR § 35095(a)). The implementing CDPH 8488 (7/20) instead directs a photo print at least two inches square or an emailed digital photograph.
Application review
CDPH may consider training, missing documentation, prior citations or violations, prior certificate revocation, and false or misleading application statements (17 CCR § 35096(e)).
Board rehs documentation
The implementing CDPH online initial-requirements table lists "Registerered Environmental Health Specialist (REHS)" under Inspector/Assessor education and "Registered Environmental Health Specialist (REHS)" under experience. The current controlling 17 CCR § 35083 still specifies the CIH or degree/schooling-and-experience eligibility alternatives; the table does not replace those requirements.
Certificate term
The certificate is non-transferable and effective for one year; certification requires annual renewal (17 CCR § 35096(f)).
Course assessment
Complete the end-of-course examination included in the CDPH-accredited training. CDPH distinguishes this provider course assessment from the separately registered statewide Inspector/Assessor examination; the course assessment is part of the training qualification.
Education
Be a certified industrial hygienist.
Examination retake rule
17 CCR § 35096(c)(1)-(2) limits permission-based examination attempts to three within 180 days and requires repeat discipline training if the applicant does not pass within the permission period. The CDPH study guide instead states: "You may take the exam as many times as you need to in order to pass." The higher-ranked regulatory permission rule remains recorded.
Examination timing
17 CCR § 35096(b)-(c) describes permission to sit and certification after passing. The CDPH exam instructions state: "You may take the exam at any time. However, you need to pass the exam before you apply to CDPH for certification." Supply the CPS HR passing-results letter with the application.
Experience
The CIH course-completion holder may substitute the American Board of Industrial Hygiene certificate or equivalent for both experience and postsecondary education documentation under 17 CCR § 35095(a)(3)(D). This other-profession certification is an applicant condition.
Training
Complete the CDPH-approved 24-contact-hour Certified Industrial Hygienist course.
Training age
Apply within one year after the course-completion form was issued. If more than one year, complete at least seven contact hours of general continuing education; if more than three years, retake the approved course (17 CCR § 35082(a)-(c)).
Training document
Supply the original CDPH Form 8493 from a CDPH-accredited training provider for the required course (17 CCR § 35095(a)(3)(A)).
Initial certification — high school diploma and experience
Lead Inspector/Assessor Certification Exam
Application
Provide CDPH 8488, the non-refundable $135 certification application fee, applicant identification and contact information, applicable education and experience proof, two passport-style one-inch-by-one-inch photographs, and a signed declaration under penalty of perjury (17 CCR § 35095(a)). The implementing CDPH 8488 (7/20) instead directs a photo print at least two inches square or an emailed digital photograph.
Application review
CDPH may consider training, missing documentation, prior citations or violations, prior certificate revocation, and false or misleading application statements (17 CCR § 35096(e)).
Board rehs documentation
The implementing CDPH online initial-requirements table lists "Registerered Environmental Health Specialist (REHS)" under Inspector/Assessor education and "Registered Environmental Health Specialist (REHS)" under experience. The current controlling 17 CCR § 35083 still specifies the CIH or degree/schooling-and-experience eligibility alternatives; the table does not replace those requirements.
Certificate term
The certificate is non-transferable and effective for one year; certification requires annual renewal (17 CCR § 35096(f)).
Course assessment
Complete the end-of-course examination included in the CDPH-accredited training. CDPH distinguishes this provider course assessment from the separately registered statewide Inspector/Assessor examination; the course assessment is part of the training qualification.
Education
A high school diploma or equivalent.
Examination retake rule
17 CCR § 35096(c)(1)-(2) limits permission-based examination attempts to three within 180 days and requires repeat discipline training if the applicant does not pass within the permission period. The CDPH study guide instead states: "You may take the exam as many times as you need to in order to pass." The higher-ranked regulatory permission rule remains recorded.
Examination timing
17 CCR § 35096(b)-(c) describes permission to sit and certification after passing. The CDPH exam instructions state: "You may take the exam at any time. However, you need to pass the exam before you apply to CDPH for certification." Supply the CPS HR passing-results letter with the application.
Experience
At least three years of qualifying inspection, assessment or environmental-project-design experience in lead-related construction or a related field, as specified in 17 CCR § 35083(b)(3).
Training
Complete the CDPH-approved 40-contact-hour Inspection and Assessment course.
Training age
Apply within one year after the course-completion form was issued. If more than one year, complete at least seven contact hours of general continuing education; if more than three years, retake the approved course (17 CCR § 35082(a)-(c)).
Training document
Supply the original CDPH Form 8493 from a CDPH-accredited training provider for the required course (17 CCR § 35095(a)(3)(A)).
Renewal more than three years after certificate expiration
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Application
Provide CDPH 8553, applicant information and signature, certificate number and expiration date, and the non-refundable $135 renewal fee (17 CCR § 35095(b)). CDPH 8553 also requires a recent photograph.
Certificate term
Renew annually; the certificate remains non-transferable and valid for one year (17 CCR § 35096(f)).
Continuing education
Complete at least seven contact hours of CDPH-approved general continuing education every two years. Supply the original CDPH 8493 completion form if it was not submitted in the previous year (17 CCR §§ 35095(b)(1)(A), 35096(f)(1)).
Existing certificate
Applicant holds or previously held a full CDPH Lead Inspector/Assessor certificate. Renewal of that credential involves no new statewide certification examination under the complete renewal requirements of 17 CCR §§ 35095(b), 35096(f).
Expiration
More than three years have elapsed since the full certificate expired.
Practice restriction
Do not perform work requiring CDPH certification while the certificate is expired; renewal sets a new expiration date and retains the certificate ID.
Repeat training
Retake the required CDPH-approved lead-related construction course and comply with § 35095(a)(3)(A) and § 35095(b), as required by § 35096(f)(2); for Inspector/Assessor the implementing chart identifies the 40-hour Inspection and Assessment course or the 24-hour CIH course for a CIH. The provider course final assessment is part of training.

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-09-22.

Renewal after missing the two year continuing education requirement
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Application
Provide CDPH 8553, applicant information and signature, certificate number and expiration date, and the non-refundable $135 renewal fee (17 CCR § 35095(b)). CDPH 8553 also requires a recent photograph.
Certificate term
Renew annually; the certificate remains non-transferable and valid for one year (17 CCR § 35096(f)).
Continuing education
Complete at least seven contact hours of CDPH-approved general continuing education every two years. Supply the original CDPH 8493 completion form if it was not submitted in the previous year (17 CCR §§ 35095(b)(1)(A), 35096(f)(1)).
Existing certificate
Applicant holds or previously held a full CDPH Lead Inspector/Assessor certificate. Renewal of that credential involves no new statewide certification examination under the complete renewal requirements of 17 CCR §§ 35095(b), 35096(f).
Practice restriction
Do not perform work requiring CDPH certification while the certificate is expired.
Training lapse
The two-year continuing education requirement was not maintained. CDPH 8553 and the online renewal requirements direct the applicant to repeat the full initial Inspection and Assessment course (40 hours), or the approved CIH course (24 hours) for a CIH, and provide its completion form. The provider course final assessment is part of the training condition.

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-09-22.

Lead Inspector/Assessor Certification Exam

Provider
CPS HR Consulting, designated by CDPH
Format
Multiple-choice questions; English; no hands-on or performance testing
Exam questions
115; published section allocations A–G: 10, 20, 20, 25, 10, 20, 10
Passing score
Criterion-referenced passing standard; one point per correct answer, no penalty for incorrect answers or guessing; the study guide states no numeric cut score
Examination outline
  • A. Background Information on Lead and Health Effects of Lead (10 questions)
    • Knowledge of what the Scope of Work would consist of for testing purposes. (HUD Guidelines: Chapter 3, and Appendix 7.1)
    • Knowledge of pathways of lead exposure to children and adults (such as hand-to-mouth, inhalation, ingestion, etc.). (HUD Guidelines: Chapters 1 and 9)
    • Knowledge of the type of building components on which lead-based paint was typically applied. (HUD Guidelines: Chapters 5, 7, and 18)
    • Knowledge of the health effects and symptoms of lead exposure in adults and children. (8CCR 1532.1: Appendix A; and HUD Guidelines: Chapters 1 and 9)
  • B. Federal and State Regulatory Requirements (20 questions)
    • Knowledge of CDPH Title 17 definitions, certification requirements and Work Practice Standards. (17 CCR 35001 -35050, and 17 CCR 36000- 36100)
    • Knowledge of Cal/OSHA Lead in Construction Exposure Assessment Requirements. (8CCR 1532.1; HUD Guidelines: Chapter 9, and Appendix 13.4)
    • Knowledge of the CDPH regulatory standards for lead in paint, dust, and soil. (17 CCR 35033, 35035, and 35036)
    • Knowledge of the EPA regulatory standards for lead in water. (40 CFR Part 141; 22 CCR Chapter 17.5, Section 64670; and HUD Guidelines: Chapter 5)
    • Knowledge of the CDPH reporting requirements for lead hazard evaluations. (17 CCR 36000)
    • Knowledge of when to apply the HUD requirements and the Federal EPA lead hazard levels (Federally funded/ HUD Housing) and when to use the CDPH Title17 requirements and lead hazard levels. (HUD Guidelines: Chapter 1; 17 CCR 36000; 40 CFR, Part 745; 24 CFR, Part 35, et al.; and Title X, Section 1018)
  • C. Risk Assessment (20 questions)
    • Knowledge of lead hazard screen protocols, and their limitations. (HUD Guidelines: Chapter 5)
    • Knowledge of risk assessment protocols, and their limitations. (HUD Guidelines: Chapters 5, 6, and Appendices 8.1 and 8.2)
    • Knowledge of the combined risk assessment and lead-based paint inspection protocols, and their limitations. (HUD Guidelines: Chapters 5, 6, and 7, and Appendices 8.1 and 8.2)
    • Knowledge of paint condition classifications as specified by the HUD Guidelines. (HUD Guidelines: Chapter 5)
    • Knowledge of how and when to collect first draw and second draw water samples to determine where the source of lead is located. (HUD Guidelines: Chapters 5 and 16)
  • D. Lead-Based Paint Inspection (25 questions)
    • Knowledge of lead-based paint inspection protocols, and their limitations. (HUD Guidelines: Chapter 7)
    • Knowledge of building component nomenclature. (HUD Guidelines: Chapters 7, 11, and 12, and Appendix 7.3)
    • Knowledge of the procedures for performing an XRF calibration check. (HUD Guidelines: Chapter 7, and Performance Characteristic Sheets)
    • Knowledge of the elements that comprise various lead-based paint testing combinations (according to the HUD Guidelines). (HUD Guidelines: Chapter 7)
    • Knowledge of substrate classifications (according to the HUD Guidelines). (HUD Guidelines: Chapter 7)
    • Knowledge of the protocols for the selection and testing of multifamily dwellings. (HUD Guidelines: Chapters 5 and 7)
    • Knowledge of the minimum room equivalent/testing combinations that are required for single-family and multifamily dwellings. (HUD Guidelines: Chapter 7)
    • Ability to interpret XRF results. (HUD Guidelines: Chapter 7 and Chapter 7 Appendices)
  • E. Clearance Inspection (10 questions)
    • Knowledge of clearance inspection protocols, and their limitations. (HUD Guidelines: Chapter 15, and Appendix 7.3.)
    • Knowledge of when and how to perform a visual inspection (prior to clearance dust wipe sampling) to ensure the work was completed, and that no visible dust or debris remains. (HUD Guidelines: Chapter 15, and Appendix 7.3)
  • F. Sampling Protocols and Procedures (20 questions)
    • Knowledge of the appropriate sampling containers to use when collecting paint chip, water, dust wipes, and soil samples. (HUD Guidelines: Chapter 5, and Appendices 13.1 - 13.4)
    • Knowledge of the appropriate sampling tools and supplies to use when collecting paint chip, water, dust wipes, and soil samples. (HUD Guidelines: Chapters 5 and 7, and Appendices 13.1 - 13.4)
    • Knowledge of the HUD Guidelines sampling protocols. (HUD Guidelines: Chapters 3, 5, 7, 10, and 15, and Appendices 10.0, and 13.1 - 13.4)
    • Ability to convert from one measurement unit to another (such as ppm to percent by weight). (HUD Guidelines: Appendices 1 and 13, Chapter 7; and 8 CCR 1532.1 )
    • Ability to interpret laboratory testing results. (17 CCR 35033, 35035 and 35036; and HUD Guidelines Chapter 7, and Appendix 1)
  • G. Abatement Options (10 questions)
    • Knowledge of characteristics of lead abatement options (such as costs, longevity, procedures, etc.) for interim control measures (designed to last less than 20 years). (HUD Guidelines: Chapters 5, 11, and 17)
    • Knowledge of characteristics of lead abatement options (such as costs, longevity, procedures, etc.) designed to last more than 20 years. (HUD Guidelines: Chapter 12)
Examination sources