40 C.F.R. § 745.220
§ 745.220 Scope and applicability. (40 CFR Part 745)
Operative Text
(a) This subpart contains procedures and requirements for the accreditation of training programs for lead-based paint activities and renovations, procedures and requirements for the certification of individuals and firms engaged in lead-based paint activities, and work practice standards for performing such activities. This subpart also requires that, except as discussed below, all lead-based paint activities, as defined in this subpart, be performed by certified individuals and firms. (b) This subpart applies to all individuals and firms who are engaged in lead-based paint activities as defined in § 745.223, except persons who perform these activities within residential dwellings that they own, unless the residential dwelling is occupied by a person or persons other than the owner or the owner's immediate family while these activities are being performed, or a child residing in the building has been identified as having an elevated blood lead level. This subpart applies only in those States or Indian Country that do not have an authorized State or Tribal program pursuant to § 745.324 of subpart Q. (c) Each department, agency, and instrumentality of the executive, legislative, and judicial branches of the Federal Government having jurisdiction over any property or facility, or engaged in any activity resulting, or which may result, in a lead-based paint hazard, and each officer, agent, or employee thereof shall be subject to, and comply with, all Federal, State, interstate, and local requirements, both substantive and procedural, including the requirements of this subpart regarding lead-based paint, lead-based paint activities, and lead-based paint hazards. (d) While this subpart establishes specific requirements for performing lead-based paint activities should they be undertaken, nothing in this subpart requires that the owner or occupant undertake any particular lead-based paint activity.
Section 745.220 of 40 CFR Part 745 establishes the framework under which training programs, individual contractors, and firms must be accredited or certified before conducting lead-based paint activities such as inspection, risk assessment, and abatement. The rule applies broadly across the United States, but only in states and tribal areas that have not established their own EPA-authorized programs under subpart Q. Owner-occupants working on their own homes are generally exempt, unless the home is occupied by someone outside the immediate family during the work or a child in the building has been identified with elevated blood lead levels.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Property owners and management firms operating in jurisdictions covered by § 745.220 generally ensure that any contractor or firm they hire to perform lead-based paint activities—such as inspection, risk assessment, or abatement—holds valid EPA certification under this subpart. Compliant operators typically verify that workers are individually certified and that the firm itself is certified before work begins. It is also worth noting that § 745.220(d) clarifies that the regulation does not compel any owner to undertake a specific lead-based paint activity; it only sets standards for how such activities must be carried out if they are undertaken.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Under § 745.220, tenants living in properties where lead-based paint activities are being performed have an interest in confirming that the individuals and firms doing the work are properly certified as required by this subpart. If work is being conducted in an occupied unit and there are concerns about whether the contractor is certified, tenants can contact the EPA or their regional EPA office to inquire about certification status or file a complaint. Tenants may also reach out to local tenant-rights organizations or a housing agency for guidance on how this provision and related rules apply to their housing situation.
General guidance for tenants — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult a tenant-rights organization or attorney for advice on your case.
Generated September 4, 2026 — auto-generated, not yet human-reviewed. See /transparency for methodology.
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