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North Carolina Lead-Based Paint Inspector — Requirements & Free Practice

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Lead Inspector Certification

Individual certification in the inspector discipline to perform or offer lead-based paint inspections of target housing or child-occupied facilities. G.S. 130A-453.03 distinguishes the inspector credential from risk-assessor certification, whose scope also includes inspection without a separate inspector credential. Firm certification is a separate entity requirement under G.S. 130A-453.04 and Rule .0803.

Licensing authority: North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services, Division of Public Health, Health Hazards Control Unit · Application information

Initial certification by examination
North Carolina Inspector Examination
Accredited training
Complete inspector training accredited by the Program or a state, tribe or territory with a written reciprocating agreement with the Program.
Application
Submit the completed individual certification application with applicant identity, contact and physical-identification information, requested discipline, employer, training provider, course and attendance dates; sign the application oath.
Certification term
Certification expires at the end of the twelfth month after issuance under Rule .0802(e).
Course completion
Successful training completion requires at least 95 percent attendance, at least 70 percent on the provider course examination, and passing the hands-on skills assessment. These provider-specific training assessments are conditions, not an identified separate Program certification examination.
Course confirmation
Submit the original accredited training completion certificate bearing the provider seal or the acceptable original provider confirmation required by Rule .0802(d)(3) and the application.
Examination admission
Complete all other certification requirements before the Program examination; the Program notifies the applicant of its time and location, and the applicant must present photo identification.
Examination passing score
Pass the appropriate inspector certification examination with at least 70 percent. After three unsuccessful attempts, retake the accredited initial course before reapplying.
Fees
The May 2026 application lists a $150 inspector certification fee and a $75 certification-examination fee when an examination is scheduled; renewal does not require the certification-examination fee.
Minimum age
The May 2026 application requires applicants to be at least 18 years old and to report the correct birth date.
Photographs
Rule .0802(d)(2) requires two current identical 1 1/4 inch square color photographs. The May 2026 application instructions instead state: "Enclose one photograph of the applicant per application submitted. Photographs shall be in color and 1 ¼ inch x 1 ¼ inch size with the applicant’s name printed on the back. The HHCU will not accept photographs with headwear, sunglasses, profile, or photos in black and white. Photographs that are not current, i.e., photographs from old photo-id cards or a copy of last year’s photograph, will also not be accepted. Applications submitted without photographs will be returned as incomplete." Submit documentation acceptable to the Program; the rule is the controlling requirement.
Training currency
Initial inspector training must have been completed within the 12 months before application. If completed earlier, complete accredited inspector refresher training at least every 24 months from initial training and within 12 months before applying; provide the initial certificate and subsequent refresher certificates.
Recertification following revocation
North Carolina Inspector Examination
Accredited training
Complete inspector training accredited by the Program or a state, tribe or territory with a written reciprocating agreement with the Program.
Application
Submit the completed individual certification application with applicant identity, contact and physical-identification information, requested discipline, employer, training provider, course and attendance dates; sign the application oath.
Certification term
Certification expires at the end of the twelfth month after issuance under Rule .0802(e).
Course completion
Successful training completion requires at least 95 percent attendance, at least 70 percent on the provider course examination, and passing the hands-on skills assessment. These provider-specific training assessments are conditions, not an identified separate Program certification examination.
Course confirmation
Submit the original accredited training completion certificate bearing the provider seal or the acceptable original provider confirmation required by Rule .0802(d)(3) and the application.
Examination admission
Complete all other certification requirements before the Program examination; the Program notifies the applicant of its time and location, and the applicant must present photo identification.
Examination passing score
Pass the appropriate inspector certification examination with at least 70 percent. After three unsuccessful attempts, retake the accredited initial course before reapplying.
Fees
The May 2026 application lists a $150 inspector certification fee and a $75 certification-examination fee when an examination is scheduled; renewal does not require the certification-examination fee.
Minimum age
The May 2026 application requires applicants to be at least 18 years old and to report the correct birth date.
Photographs
Rule .0802(d)(2) requires two current identical 1 1/4 inch square color photographs. The May 2026 application instructions instead state: "Enclose one photograph of the applicant per application submitted. Photographs shall be in color and 1 ¼ inch x 1 ¼ inch size with the applicant’s name printed on the back. The HHCU will not accept photographs with headwear, sunglasses, profile, or photos in black and white. Photographs that are not current, i.e., photographs from old photo-id cards or a copy of last year’s photograph, will also not be accepted. Applications submitted without photographs will be returned as incomplete." Submit documentation acceptable to the Program; the rule is the controlling requirement.
Revoked certification
Previous inspector certification was revoked. Rule .0802(h) requires repeating the accredited initial training course and meeting .0802(b), (c) and (d), including the inspector certification examination.
Training currency
Initial inspector training must have been completed within the 12 months before application. If completed earlier, complete accredited inspector refresher training at least every 24 months from initial training and within 12 months before applying; provide the initial certificate and subsequent refresher certificates.
Waiting period
When revocation was for fraudulent misrepresentations or violations creating a significant public-health hazard, do not reapply until 12 months after revocation; repeat initial training and meet .0802(b), (c) and (d). Other revocations remain subject to the recertification requirements stated in .0802(h).
Recertification after lapse of required refresher training
North Carolina Inspector Examination
Accredited training
Complete inspector training accredited by the Program or a state, tribe or territory with a written reciprocating agreement with the Program.
Application
Submit the completed individual certification application with applicant identity, contact and physical-identification information, requested discipline, employer, training provider, course and attendance dates; sign the application oath.
Certification term
Certification expires at the end of the twelfth month after issuance under Rule .0802(e).
Course completion
Successful training completion requires at least 95 percent attendance, at least 70 percent on the provider course examination, and passing the hands-on skills assessment. These provider-specific training assessments are conditions, not an identified separate Program certification examination.
Course confirmation
Submit the original accredited training completion certificate bearing the provider seal or the acceptable original provider confirmation required by Rule .0802(d)(3) and the application.
Examination admission
Complete all other certification requirements before the Program examination; the Program notifies the applicant of its time and location, and the applicant must present photo identification.
Examination passing score
Pass the appropriate inspector certification examination with at least 70 percent. After three unsuccessful attempts, retake the accredited initial course before reapplying.
Fees
The May 2026 application lists a $150 inspector certification fee and a $75 certification-examination fee when an examination is scheduled; renewal does not require the certification-examination fee.
Initial training after lapse
The continuous-refresher alternative in .0802(b) is unavailable when its 24-month continuity requirement was not met; meet the accredited initial-training requirement and its application time window.
Minimum age
The May 2026 application requires applicants to be at least 18 years old and to report the correct birth date.
Photographs
Rule .0802(d)(2) requires two current identical 1 1/4 inch square color photographs. The May 2026 application instructions instead state: "Enclose one photograph of the applicant per application submitted. Photographs shall be in color and 1 ¼ inch x 1 ¼ inch size with the applicant’s name printed on the back. The HHCU will not accept photographs with headwear, sunglasses, profile, or photos in black and white. Photographs that are not current, i.e., photographs from old photo-id cards or a copy of last year’s photograph, will also not be accepted. Applications submitted without photographs will be returned as incomplete." Submit documentation acceptable to the Program; the rule is the controlling requirement.
Training currency
Initial inspector training must have been completed within the 12 months before application. If completed earlier, complete accredited inspector refresher training at least every 24 months from initial training and within 12 months before applying; provide the initial certificate and subsequent refresher certificates.
Training lapse
Previously certified inspector who failed to obtain the required refresher training within 24 calendar months of the last training. Rule .0802(f) requires recertification under .0802(b), (c) and (d), including the inspector certification examination.
Initial certification with reciprocal jurisdiction certification
North Carolina Inspector Examination
Accredited training
Complete inspector training accredited by the Program or a state, tribe or territory with a written reciprocating agreement with the Program.
Application
Submit the completed individual certification application with applicant identity, contact and physical-identification information, requested discipline, employer, training provider, course and attendance dates; sign the application oath.
Certification term
Certification expires at the end of the twelfth month after issuance under Rule .0802(e).
Course completion
Successful training completion requires at least 95 percent attendance, at least 70 percent on the provider course examination, and passing the hands-on skills assessment. These provider-specific training assessments are conditions, not an identified separate Program certification examination.
Course confirmation
Submit the original accredited training completion certificate bearing the provider seal or the acceptable original provider confirmation required by Rule .0802(d)(3) and the application.
Examination admission
Complete all other certification requirements before the Program examination; the Program notifies the applicant of its time and location, and the applicant must present photo identification.
Examination passing score
Pass the appropriate inspector certification examination with at least 70 percent. After three unsuccessful attempts, retake the accredited initial course before reapplying.
Fees
The May 2026 application lists a $150 inspector certification fee and a $75 certification-examination fee when an examination is scheduled; renewal does not require the certification-examination fee.
Minimum age
The May 2026 application requires applicants to be at least 18 years old and to report the correct birth date.
Photographs
Rule .0802(d)(2) requires two current identical 1 1/4 inch square color photographs. The May 2026 application instructions instead state: "Enclose one photograph of the applicant per application submitted. Photographs shall be in color and 1 ¼ inch x 1 ¼ inch size with the applicant’s name printed on the back. The HHCU will not accept photographs with headwear, sunglasses, profile, or photos in black and white. Photographs that are not current, i.e., photographs from old photo-id cards or a copy of last year’s photograph, will also not be accepted. Applications submitted without photographs will be returned as incomplete." Submit documentation acceptable to the Program; the rule is the controlling requirement.
Reciprocal eligibility
Hold inspector certification issued by a state, tribe or territory with a written reciprocating agreement with the North Carolina Program. Provide a copy of that certification and meet Rule .0802(b), (d)(1) and (d)(2). No other jurisdiction examination is a leaf in this survey.
Reciprocal exam credit
Rule .0804(a) permits the appropriate category examination to be administered by the Program or a reciprocating jurisdiction. Under Rule .0804(c), the reciprocal certification verifies that all other certification requirements have been met; the applicant may receive credit rather than sit the North Carolina examination again. Rule .0804(c) still expressly requires compliance with .0802(b), which identifies the Program category examination.
Training currency
Initial inspector training must have been completed within the 12 months before application. If completed earlier, complete accredited inspector refresher training at least every 24 months from initial training and within 12 months before applying; provide the initial certificate and subsequent refresher certificates.
Annual certification renewal with maintained refresher training
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Application
Submit the completed individual certification application with applicant identity, contact and physical-identification information, requested discipline, employer, training provider, course and attendance dates; sign the application oath.
Certification term
Certification expires at the end of the twelfth month after issuance under Rule .0802(e).
Course confirmation
Submit the original accredited training completion certificate bearing the provider seal or the acceptable original provider confirmation required by Rule .0802(d)(3) and the application.
Examination exemption
The May 2026 application expressly says: "If an application is for renewal, an examination is not required." This exemption concerns the certification examination and does not waive successful refresher-course completion.
Fees
The May 2026 application lists a $150 inspector certification fee and a $75 certification-examination fee when an examination is scheduled; renewal does not require the certification-examination fee.
Minimum age
The May 2026 application requires applicants to be at least 18 years old and to report the correct birth date.
Photographs
Rule .0802(d)(2) requires two current identical 1 1/4 inch square color photographs. The May 2026 application instructions instead state: "Enclose one photograph of the applicant per application submitted. Photographs shall be in color and 1 ¼ inch x 1 ¼ inch size with the applicant’s name printed on the back. The HHCU will not accept photographs with headwear, sunglasses, profile, or photos in black and white. Photographs that are not current, i.e., photographs from old photo-id cards or a copy of last year’s photograph, will also not be accepted. Applications submitted without photographs will be returned as incomplete." Submit documentation acceptable to the Program; the rule is the controlling requirement.
Refresher course completion
Successfully complete accredited inspector refresher training, including its provider course examination. Rule .0805(c) requires at least 25 multiple-choice questions for the refresher course test; this provider-specific training test is a condition, not the separately identified Program certification examination.
Renewal documents
Submit the completed renewal application showing the existing certification number, original refresher training certificate, current photograph documentation and certification fee.
Renewal eligibility
Previously certified inspector maintaining the required refresher-training schedule; complete accredited inspector refresher training within 12 months before applying for renewal and do not exceed 24 calendar months between training.

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 1998-07-01.

North Carolina Inspector Examination

Provider
North Carolina Lead-Based Paint Hazard Management Program
Passing score
At least 70 percent
Exam fee
$75 for the inspector certification examination
Practice scope

The authority has not published an examination outline; the practice questions follow the scope of the existing question bank.

  • Professional Role and Regulatory Framework
    • Role and responsibilities of an inspector
    • Federal, state, and local lead-based paint regulations and guidance
  • Lead Background and Health Effects
    • Background information on lead and its adverse health effects
  • Inspection and Sampling Methods
    • Lead-based paint inspection methods, including selection of rooms and components
    • Paint, dust, and soil sampling methodologies
  • Testing, Interpretation, Reporting, and Records
    • Action levels and testing, including random sampling
    • Preparation of the final inspection report
    • Recordkeeping
Examination sources