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Lead Abatement/Mitigation Licensure

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The home is where the family comes together to experience security, shelter and safety. Because we spend more than 50 percent of our lives indoors, it is important to make sure our families have a healthy home in which to live. Children are at a higher risk because they are still growing, discovering their environment and spending much of their time where many hazards exist.  
 
Some of the serious health problems children experience start from what families do or have in their homes. Good mental and physical health depends on homes that are well maintained and free of hazards. On the other hand, poorly maintained homes and homes containing health hazards, promote poorer quality health and risk of injury. The seven principles of healthy housing as defined by the National Center for Healthy Housing are:

  • Clean
  • Dry
  • Ventilated
  • Safe
  • Well-maintained
  • Free of pests
  • Free of contaminants 

Understanding, identifying and eliminating the dangers that may be in your home, may protect your family. To assist you in evaluating your home for hazards, the program has developed the brochure, Keeping Your Home Healthy and Safe.

About 75 percent of Illinois homes built before 1978 contain some lead-based paint. Lead-based paint was used both inside and outside of homes, especially on windows, baseboards, trim and doors to ensure its durability. After many years of exposure to moisture and climate changes, the paint begins to deteriorate, causing lead dust and chips to settle in window wells, and on door frames and porches. Even the deepest layers of lead-based paint can be disturbed during remodeling or home repair. The only way to know for sure if your home contains lead-based paint is to have it tested by a licensed lead professional. You can search for a licensed lead inspector or risk assessor in your area using the links located at on this page.  Refer to the Code to find the information that is required to be provided on the lead inspection and risk assessment reports. You also may use the links to locate lead contractors that are qualified to remove any lead-based paint or lead hazards identified in your home.   

The Program employs regional staff and has delegate agency agreements for local health department staff to conduct risk assessments of dwellings of children who exhibit have been confirmed with elevated blood lead levels. Homes with hazardous lead-based paint conditions are required to have the paint or the component that is coated with lead-based paint removed, permanently covered, or mitigated.   

The Program also licenses lead paint inspectors, lead risk assessors, lead abatement contractors, lead supervisors, and lead workers and approves lead training courses for individuals. See the Lead Poisoning Prevention Code.

Renewal of Licenses or Accreditation

All licenses or accreditations shall be renewed annually in accordance with the Lead Poisoning Prevention Code. Applicants shall be responsible for ensuring that a renewal application is submitted to the Program prior to the due date established by Code. The Department sends renewal letters to licensees and training course providers that can be completed and submitted along with the applicable non-refundable fees to the Department.  It is the responsibility of the licensees and training course providers to know when their licenses expire and when late fees and renewal fees are applicable.  In the event that a renewal letter is not received or is misplaced, the Department has a online renewal application that can be downloaded and submitted. Non-refundable late fees shall apply to applicants that do not meet the requirements of the Code.

License Qualifications for Lead Abatement Contractor
Lead Supervisor, Inspector, Risk Assessor, and Worker
Lead Training Course Providers
Third Party Examination Dates

Resources

Forms

Laws & Rules

Publications