The month of April is a good time to complete CEDIA’s Certified Lead Renovator Course, before the EPA’s compliance deadline arrives on April 22.

The EPA has issued a ruling stating that renovations or repairs in homes built before 1978 or pre-1978 buildings that are occupied by children or a pregnant woman must be performed by a Certified Lead Renovator.

Covered renovations include any work that disturbs six or more square feet on an interior wall or 20 or more square feet on an exterior wall, or any replacement of doors or windows. Deadline for compliance is April 22, 2010. Without certification, your firm risks being fined up to $37,500 per day per violation.

The first part of the Certified Lead Renovator Course is available online. The course covers the health problems associated with lead paint, how the ruling affects a project, and how to safely test a home for lead-based paint. The online portion must be completed before an ESC can take the second hands-on lab portion.

ADI locations across the country will host the second hands-on lab portion. Participants will demonstrate the skills they learned through the online course. In addition, they will learn how to train the other people they work with. At the conclusion of the second portion, an assessment is administered.

Participants must score 80 percent or higher to become a Certified Lead Renovator. Firms seeking accreditation must submit an application to the EPA. Both individuals and companies performing this kind of work must be certified in lead renovation to avoid hefty fines.

For more information on the EPA’s ruling or Certified Lead Renovator course offerings hosted by CEDIA, visit www.cedia.org/lead.

Also, take advantage of lead training at these ADI locations:

April 13 - Milford, CT (Bridgeport)
April 13 - Raleigh, NC
April 14 - Farmers Branch, TX (Dallas)
April 15 - Boise, ID
April 20 - Allston, MA
April 20 - Doraville, GA
April 20 - Bloomington, MN (Minneapolis)
April 21 - Plainview, NY (Syosset)
April 22 - Sacramento, CA