Getting Certified to Do Asbestos Work

Each of the different individual asbestos certification options is listed in Certification Requirements for Asbestos Disciplines, P-00848A (English and Spanish). For each discipline, the required training, activities allowed, certification fee, and refresher information is included.

Read on to learn about the steps to getting certified. Call our office at 608-261-6876 with any questions.

1. Get training

Complete the required training class(es) before applying. See Asbestos Training Providers for a listing of companies offering accredited asbestos training classes. If you're new to the discipline, you need to take the initial training.

Have you already been trained in another state? No problem.

Wisconsin will recognize out-of-state training as long as you:

• Take your most recent refresher training in Wisconsin.
• Provide us with copies of all of your training diplomas from out-of-state classes.
• Have no more than two years between any two classes in the discipline you wish to become certified in, dating all the way back to your initial training.
• Pay an additional $25 fee for processing your training history.

You cannot apply online if any required training was taken in another state.

2. Apply for certification

Apply for yourself and your company. Apply for your certifications right away after training, and at least one month before you need to do regulated work. If you work for yourself, you must certify your own company under a name of your choosing. Otherwise, you must be employed by a certified company. See the tab "Company Certification" for more information.

You can apply for certification online, if paying by Visa, MasterCard, or electronic check. Don't apply online if you have taken training outside of Wisconsin or prefer to pay by money order or paper check. Instead, print and complete a paper application, F-44017 (PDF) for mailing.

Are you a veteran of the U.S. armed services?

You may qualify to receive your first individual certification for free! Visit the Veterans Professional/Occupational Licensure Fee Waiver Program Page to learn how to get a fee waiver voucher code, which can be submitted with your individual certification application instead of the applicable fee.

3. Work under your provisional certification

Once you submit your individual application for certification, you can work under provisional certification until your card is issued. Note: There is no provisional company certification.

To work under provisional certification, you must:

• Meet all requirements for certification,
• Apply for certification, and
• Keep a copy of your training diploma with you while doing regulated work. An electronic or printed copy is fine.

For additional background information, see our publication on provisional certification for individuals, P-03614, or the official memo on asbestos provisional certification (PDF) issued by the Department of Health Services.

4. Carry your certification card with you once you receive it

You need to have your certification card with you when doing regulated work, or clear, legible copy of it. A photo on your phone is also acceptable.

Company certification is required to conduct regulated asbestos work. Read on to learn how to get your company certified. Call our office at 608-261-6876 with any questions.

1. Choose the right type of company certification.

There are two options:

• Asbestos company. Certifying as an asbestos company will allow you to offer and conduct any regulated asbestos activities, as long as the individuals you use to conduct those activities are appropriately trained and certified.
• Exterior asbestos company. Certifying as an exterior asbestos company will allow you to offer and conduct regulated asbestos activities that are limited to non-friable asbestos-containing material that remains non-friable on the exterior of a building or facility, such as most roofing and siding removal. Your company must have appropriately trained and certified staff for each activity it will offer or conduct.

2. Get your staff appropriately trained and certified.

Companies are responsible for using appropriately trained and certified individuals to perform all regulated asbestos activities. For example, everyone on an abatement crew must, at a minimum, be certified as a worker and be under the direct supervision of at least one certified supervisor. Exterior-certified staff cannot do work involving friable material or material inside a building.

Similarly, a certified asbestos company that conducts asbestos management activities, including inspection work, must use certified asbestos inspectors, management planners, or project designers.

3. Certify your company.

You can apply for certification online, if paying by Visa, MasterCard, or electronic check. Don't apply online if you prefer to pay by money order or paper check. Instead, mail a paper application, F-44002 (PDF).

Note: There is no provisional company certification.