Under the 2020 Lead Ordinance, Toledo needs licensed Local Lead Inspectors to perform thousands of clearance exams every year for rental owners and in-home daycare operators. In addition, Toledo needs licensed Lead Contractors to perform lead abatement and lead-safe renovation work for both private property owners to comply with the Lead Ordinance, and also to support the City of Toledo’s lead paint remediation programs.
This is a great opportunity to start your own full or part-time business, add to your resume, or for employers to upscale their current workforce. The City is supporting this private-market growth by partnering to provide low-cost training classes and small business development services.
Under the Toledo Lead Ordinance, a Local Lead Inspector is a Clearance Technician, Lead Inspector, or Risk Assessor who is licensed under the Ohio Department of Health’s (ODH) Lead Licensure and Accreditation Program and registered with the Toledo-Lucas County Health Department to perform clearance exams.
Also sometimes called “clearance testing,” a clearance exam is used to determine whether the lead hazards in a property have been sufficiently controlled. A clearance examination includes a visual assessment and collection of environmental samples by a licensed Local Lead Inspector who sends those samples to an accredited laboratory for analysis. The clearance examination is performed to ensure that lead exposure levels do not exceed standards established by the EPA (TSCA Sections 402 and 403), and that any cleaning following completion of an abatement project, interim control intervention, or maintenance job that disturbs lead-based paint (or paint suspected of being lead-based) adequately meets those standards. Under the Toledo Lead Ordinance, a passing clearance exam is required for a property to receive a Lead-Safe Certificate.
The average cost of a clearance exam in Toledo is around $400 per unit. This price is based upon our experiences with Local Lead Inspectors. This price is set by the individuals or companies doing the work and may vary.
Under Ohio Administrative Code 3701-32, Clearance Technicians have a limited scope of practice. They are licensed to perform clearance examinations on non-abatement lead projects only and cannot design, perform, prepare, or provide advice on inspections, assessments, or other lead abatement activities. They cannot perform clearance examinations on any property that has a lead hazard control order.
Prerequisite Experience/Education: None
Initial Training: approximately 8-hour course; average cost of $250, varies by the third-party training provider
ODH Registration Fee: $250 every two years
ODH Exam Fee: $70 fee, third-party exam provider
Refresher Training: Clearance technicians have to complete a refresher course every four years. The average cost and length of refresher may be less than the initial training.
Please Note: Lead Inspector is an Ohio-mandated license and is different from Local Lead Inspector under the Toledo Lead Ordinance. Local Lead Inspectors in Toledo can have either a Clearance Technician, Lead Inspector, or Risk Assessor license.
Under Ohio Administrative Code 3701-32, a Lead Inspector is licensed to perform lead inspections, lead-based paint sampling, and clearance examinations, including clearance exams on properties that have a lead hazard control order. They cannot perform lead risk assessments, design lead abatement projects, or perform any other lead assessment or abatement activities.
Prerequisite Experience/Education: None
Initial Training: approximately 24-hour course; average cost of $500, varies by the third-party training provider
ODH Registration Fee: $250 every two years
ODH Exam Fee: $70 fee, third-party exam provider
Refresher Training: Lead Inspectors must complete an 8-hour refresher course every 2 years. The average cost of the refresher class is $250, which varies by the third-party training provider. A Lead Inspector may take a Lead Risk Assessor refresher course in lieu of a Lead Inspector refresher course.
Under Ohio Administrative Code 3701-32, a Lead Risk Assessor is licensed to conduct lead inspections, lead-based paint sampling, clearance examinations, lead risk assessments, lead hazard screen risk assessments, other lead assessment activities, and identify lead hazard control strategies to reduce or eliminate lead exposures. A Lead Risk Assessor cannot design lead abatement projects, perform lead abatement work, or prepare/perform any other abatement or renovation activities.
Prerequisite Experience/Education: Must successfully complete and receive a course completion certificate for a Lead Inspector initial training course. Must also be certified, licensed, or registered as an industrial hygienist, engineer, architect, or possess certification in a related field, or possess a Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university and two years experience in lead, asbestos, other environmental remediation work, or building construction, or possess an Associate’s degree from an accredited college or university and two years experience in lead, asbestos, other environmental remediation work, or building construction, or possess a high school diploma or equivalent and three years experience in lead, asbestos, other environmental remediation or building construction.
Initial Training: approximately 16-hour course; average cost of $350, varies by the third-party training provider
ODH Registration Fee: $250 every two years
ODH Exam Fee: $70 fee, third-party exam provider
Refresher Training: Risk Assessors must complete an 8-hour refresher course every 2 years. The average cost of the refresher class is $250, which varies by the third-party training provider.
No. The City is not currently hiring Local Lead Inspectors. These are individuals who are running their own private part- or full-time businesses or who are employees of a larger company that provides lead inspection services. The City is encouraging the development of this private-market growth by partnering with training providers and supporting inspectors in fulfilling the requirements under the Toledo Lead Ordinance.
Please note: The City is seeking licensed Lead Abatement Contractors and Lead Workers to contract for our lead paint remediation work. More information is coming soon, in the meantime, please Contact Us for details.
You may register online or download and print the Local Lead Inspector application. Send this to the Toledo-Lucas County Health Department with a $45.00 check.
You can find a list of currently active Local Lead Inspectors here. This list is updated regularly.
To update your information, Contact us with any changes. No additional fee is required.
Once you’ve completed a clearance exam, you’ll need to submit the results to the Toledo-Lucas County Health Department with the Local Lead Inspection Form. This inspection form should also be given to the owner of the property so they can file it with their Lead-Safe Certificate Application.
You are not required by law to purchase liability insurance to perform clearance exams, however, we strongly recommend you consider purchasing insurance to protect both you and your clients. You will be entering into people’s homes to perform work, and you should consider the risks involved in performing this job.
Additionally, having insurance may make you more marketable. Many homeowners will only allow insured inspectors on their properties.
Step-by-Step: How to be a Local Lead Inspector
Step 1: Receive training from an ODH certified trainer.
Find a trainer on ODH’s Environmental Licensing system or search our local, Toledo events list to find the training program right for you. You must be an Ohio licensed Clearance Technician, Lead Inspector, or Risk Assessor to be a Local Lead Inspector under the Toledo Lead Ordinance.
Step 2: Get your Ohio license number.
Register your training with the State of Ohio Department of Health online or using their print and mail form. You will be required to take a third party exam to complete your license registration. ODH will be able to provide information on scheduling this exam.
Step 3: Register with the Toledo-Lucas County Health Department.
Fill out and submit the Local Lead Inspector application with the $45 fee. Applications are processed within 30 days. Your name and contact information can also be listed here so local property owners can easily find and hire you.
Step 4: Renew as needed.
Your Ohio license may require ongoing refresher classes and license renewals. Make sure you know those important expiration dates and keep your license active. As long as your Ohio license remains active, TLCHD has currently waived the requirement to renew with them.