Become a Certified Asbestos Abatement Specialist.
In order to get your asbestos license, you will need to meet all prerequisites, take the training course(s), pass the final exam, and apply for the certification. Requirements include an application fee, a copy of the training course certificate, a picture of the candidate, and more.
About Asbestos Certification
Just about every state requires asbestos abatement specialists to get certified or acquire a license prior to doing abatement work. Some states, such as Kansas and Idaho, don’t issue certifications but require individuals to take a training course prior to working with asbestos.
Asbestos abatement certificates are usually offered for the following five disciplines:
- Worker: Carries out various asbestos abatement tasks under the management of a certified supervisor.
- Supervisor: Manages asbestos workers and guarantees the safe practice of abatement.
- Project Manager: Create project plans for asbestos abatement jobs.
- Inspector: Carries out inspections to determine the condition and presence and of asbestos materials.
- Management Planner: Creates plans and makes suggestions regarding asbestos removal.
Each discipline has prerequisites that need to be met prior to applying for a certificate.
Project managers, inspectors, and management planners are required to have a high school diploma or degree in a few cases. The supervisor, project manager, management planner, and project designer disciplines all usually requires some experience. Individuals that have certain professional licenses, like engineers and architects, can be exempt from those requirements.
Getting Certified for Asbestos Removal
After the prerequisites have been met, certification candidates need to take the relevant training course for their discipline. Courses are managed by accredited 3rd parties and usually last for 2-5 days depending on the discipline. At the end of the course, candidates take an exam and need to score a minimum of 70% to pass.
Candidates may apply for an asbestos abatement certification after completing a training course and passing the exam. Application requirements differ by state and discipline, but some requirements include:
- Application fee
- A copy of the training course certificate
- Picture of the candidate
- Information on Employment
- Education history
- Any enforcement actions were taken against the certification candidate
- Physical conducted by a physician in the last 12 months
Those with abatement projects in numerous states might need to acquire certification from each state that they plan to work in. Some states have mutual agreements to honor certificates issued in other states, but these agreements aren’t common.
Annual Renewal of Asbestos Certification
Abatement certificates expire each year. Asbestos specialists are required to take a yearly refresher course for their discipline and then apply for recertification to keep their certificate.
Individuals that fail to renew their certificate can face enforcement actions including certificate suspension or having their certificate revoked.
Click on a link below to view licensing information in your state.
Asbestos, OSHA & AHERA Training
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