Who needs a Missouri lead abatement license? RRP vs abatement

Who needs a lead abatement license in Missouri?

Anyone who does lead abatement work in Missouri needs a license from the Department of Health and Senior Services (DHSS). That covers abatement supervisors, workers, inspectors, risk assessors and project designers. The company that employs them needs a separate lead abatement contractor license. Training must come from a DHSS-accredited provider.

DHSS describes its job this way: “We are responsible for licensing lead abatement professionals, which includes lead abatement supervisors, lead abatement workers, lead inspectors, risk assessors and project designers.” It also licenses “lead abatement contractors, which are the companies or firms that employ the lead professionals,” and runs random inspections of those contractors.

What counts as lead abatement?

Abatement means removal, replacement, enclosure or encapsulation of lead-based paint. DHSS says anyone “performing any abatement strategies (removal, replacement, enclosure and encapsulation) must still be licensed” by the department and must notify it as required. Our lead abatement page covers these methods, and the glossary explains lead abatement in plain terms.

Abatement is a state license. Work that falls short of abatement can fall under a federal rule instead. That rule is the next topic.

What is the RRP rule, and how is it different?

RRP stands for Renovation, Repair and Painting. It is an EPA rule that governs renovation work in housing built before 1978 and in child occupied facilities. DHSS summarizes it: any contractor whose work affects more than 6 square feet of interior painted surface, or 20 square feet of exterior, “must be a certified renovation firm” with certified renovators on staff.

The two systems do not replace each other. DHSS says the RRP regulations “have not altered federal or state regulations on lead abatement.” Read the RRP rule entry for definitions.

Why does the age of the house matter?

Houses built before 1978 may contain lead paint, and older ones are more likely to. DHSS says “any housing built prior to 1978 may be considered suspect.” In Missouri, it estimates 60% of dwellings built from 1960 to 1978 contain lead-based paint. That rises to 80% for 1940 to 1959 and as high as 90% for dwellings built before 1949.

So a remodel of a house built in the 1920s likely involves lead paint and needs lead-safe planning. Our guide to lead paint in pre-1978 homes goes deeper, and our lead paint facts page covers health basics.

Who can test paint for lead?

A licensed lead-based paint inspector or risk assessor, if the method is paint chip sampling. DHSS notes that EPA allowed certified renovators to collect paint chips for lab analysis, but “in Missouri, paint chip sampling must be performed by a licensed lead-based paint inspector or risk assessor.” Renovators can still use the other test methods in the RRP rule. An XRF analyzer is one common inspector tool.

How do you check that a contractor is licensed?

Ask for the license and look it up. DHSS keeps a page called “Missouri Licensed Lead Professionals” on its lead licensing site, and a page of disciplinary actions. Check three things:

1. Is the contractor company licensed as a lead abatement contractor, for abatement work?
2. Are the on-site supervisor and workers individually licensed?
3. For renovation-only work, is the firm EPA RRP certified?

If a bid cannot answer these, move on. Questions about a license go to the DHSS Lead Licensing Program at 573-526-5873 or lead@health.mo.gov.

What if I hire a general contractor for a remodel?

Ask the general contractor which firm handles the lead work. A remodel of a pre-1978 home touches the RRP rule if it disturbs more than 6 square feet of interior or 20 square feet of exterior painted surface. DHSS says that work needs a certified renovation firm and certified renovators. If the plan includes removing, replacing, enclosing or encapsulating lead-based paint on purpose, that is abatement, and abatement needs licensed professionals.

Put the answer in the contract. Name who holds which credential, and ask for the license or certification numbers. Then check them on the state and EPA sites. A general contractor who says “we handle it” without naming a licensed or certified firm has not answered your question. DHSS also runs random inspections of lead abatement contractors, so compliance is something the state checks.

Next step

Advanced Environmental Services lists lead abatement among its services. Call (314) 865-2662 or use the quote form at /contact to ask what applies to your building. Do not scrape, sand or burn old paint on your own.