Washington Lead-Safe Renovation (RRP) Requirements

File with Washington State Department of Commerce — not the EPA. Washington is an EPA-authorized state that runs its own RRP program under WAC 365-230, meaning an EPA firm certification does not automatically authorize Washington work. Firms bidding or contracting for renovation, repair, or painting in Washington must obtain Washington certification directly from Commerce.

Which projects require Washington RRP coverage

Any business offering, bidding, or contracting for work that disturbs painted surfaces in pre-1978 homes or child-occupied facilities must hold Washington firm RRP certification. A certified renovator must supervise or perform lead-safe work practices on every covered job; violation attaches to the employing firm when one is absent.

Certification structure and fees

Firm RRP certification is the filing path for businesses performing covered renovation. The firm must have at least one employee with a current individual RRP certificate not within six months of expiration at the time of application.

• Firm application / recertification fee: $25 per application, paid by check or money order to Washington State Department of Commerce (WAC 365-230-260 — flat fee for all certification types)
• Individual certifications: valid up to 5 years from issuance for in-person course completers (WAC 365-230-380)
• No grace period: Commerce states that expired individuals must retake the initial course before performing covered work.

Online refresher: 3-year validity, every-other-cycle limit

Washington ties renewal validity to the refresher type (WAC 365-230-380):

• In-person refresher (hands-on): full 5-year renewal
• E-learning (online) refresher: 3-year validity only, allowed only every other renewal cycle
• After an online refresher cycle, the next renewal must be in-person to maintain continuous certification.

Getting individual registration

For individuals completing a Washington-accredited course, the training provider submits the class roster and $25 registration fee within 10 business days — no separate individual mailing required. Out-of-state or EPA-certified applicants seeking Washington registration must self-file an individual registration application with a $25 check payable to Washington State Department of Commerce.

Enforcement and civil penalties

Commerce enforces the program through WAC 365-230-250:

• 1st violation: $500 + 10-day suspension
• 2nd violation: $1,000 fine + 20-day suspension
• 3rd violation: $1,500 fine + 30-day suspension
• 4th violation: $2,000 fine + up to 1-year suspension or revocation
• 5th+ violation: $5,000 fine + 1+ year suspension or revocation
• Pattern violations, fraud, or obstruction: up to $10,000 per violation

Track the online-refresher alternation cycle and confirm Washington firm certification — not EPA or another state's — is current before accepting covered contracts.

*Verify current requirements at commerce.wa.gov/lead-based-paint/rrp/ before performing covered renovation work in Washington.*