Lead Abatement Certification

Effective September 26, 2000, individuals engaged in lead-based paint (LBP) activities in "target housing" and "child-occupied facilities" in the State of Tennessee must be certified by the Commissioner of the Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation. The Lead-based Paint Abatement Program is a part of the Division of Solid Waste Management.

Individuals seeking certification to conduct lead abatement activities in the State of Tennessee must first meet the qualifications required for each individual discipline (worker, supervisor, inspector, risk assessor, and project designer) as described in the State of Tennessee Lead-Based Paint Abatement Rule 1200-01-18.

If qualified for the discipline of interest, the individual is required to obtain the appropriate LBP training course certificate from a State of Tennessee certified training provider.

To obtain State of Tennessee lead-based paint certification in an applied for discipline(s), individuals must pass the State of Tennessee Commissioner's (third-party) certification examination. This exam is administered by the LBP Program and must be passed within six (6) months following the completion of the appropriate LBP training course previously discussed.

The LBP exam is administered on-line; once your application is approved you will receive an access link from the examiner with instructions.  An individual may request to take an on-site exam at our Nashville Central Office location at 312 Rosa L. Parks Avenue, 14^th Floor for assistance contact Robbyn.Smith@tn.gov to schedule your date and time.  In preparation for the exam, you may refer to the Certification Examination Training and Study Guide.

Schedule to take the Third-Party Lead Examination 

To take the lead-based paint third-party exam, please request an exam application from the LBP Program at (888) 771-5323 or contact Robbyn Smith at (615) 532-6877. The appropriate application and exam fees must be submitted to the LBP Program at:

Attn: Robbyn Smith
Division of Solid Waste Management
William R. Snodgrass Tennessee Tower
312 Rosa L. Parks Avenue, 14th Floor
Nashville, TN 37243

After obtaining the LBP course certificate and upon completing and passing the 3rd party exam, you must apply for State of Tennessee LBP certification.

To obtain individual LBP certification, please download the Application to Conduct Lead-based Paint Activities - Individual (CN-1297).

To obtain firm LBP certification, please download the Application to Conduct Lead-based Paint Activities - Firm (CN-1298).

If it is hard for you to read, speak, or understand English, please see our Language Assistance webpage for more information about our free language assistance services.