Lead-Safe Wisconsin: Wisconsin’s Lead-Safe Renovation Rule
Did you know both company and individual certifications are needed to do lead renovation work?
See our Lead-Safe Renovation frequently asked questions for more details.
In 1978, lead was banned from paint and varnish for residential use. Lead can damage the brain and other systems, leading to:
- Developmental delays.
- Learning disabilities.
- Reduced IQ and attention span.
- A range of other health and behavioral effects.
Lead may still be present in paint and varnish in homes and child care centers built before 1978.
Wisconsin’s Lead-Safe Renovation
- Paint scraping.
- Window removal.
- Remodeling.
The Wisconsin Department of Health Services (DHS) is authorized by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to administer and enforce the law through its Lead Renovation, Repair and Painting
Related topics
You must be trained and certified before you can perform most paint-disturbing work—or even offer to perform most paint-disturbing work—on homes or child care centers built before 1978.
This work may include:
- Paint scraping.
- Replacing windows.
- Remodeling.
Follow these step-by-step directions to get certified as a lead-safe renovator. Then sign up for training from an accredited provider.
If you misplaced or damaged your cleaning verification card, you can email us at DHSAsbestosLead@
Learn the basic requirements of the rule as it applies to your work by selecting your profession’s fact sheet:
You can use test kits to determine the presence of lead-based paint, but there are rules about it for certified lead professionals. Use this lead test kit sample
“Renovate Right” pamphlet and sample pre-renovation form
Lead companies are responsible for giving the EPA’s Lead-Safe Certified Guide to Renovate
You can use the EPA’s sample pre-renovation
Learn about specific requirements based on the type of property and area being renovated in Wisconsin Admin. Code § DHS 163.14
“Renovate Right” renovation notice
Use this sample renovation notice
Learn about specific requirements based on the type of property and area being renovated in Wisconsin Admin. Code § DHS 163.14
Learn about enforcing lead and asbestos laws.
- FAQs (frequently asked questions) about Wisconsin’s Lead-Safe Renovation Rule—Find answers to FAQs. If your question isn’t answered here, email us at DHSAsbestosLead@
dhs.wisconsin.gov or call us at 608-261-6876. - EPA’s “LEAD Safety for Renovation, Repair, and
Painting” (PDF) (SpanishVersion )—This is the EPA’s student manual for its Renovation, Repair, and Painting training curriculum. - EPA’s FAQs on lead-based
paint —Find helpful information on the EPA’s website that applies to Wisconsin-certified lead-safe renovators and other professionals. - EPA’s “Steps to Lead Safe Renovation, Repair and
Painting” —Learn the basic steps for planning and completing a renovation using lead-safe work practices. Use this to provide on-the-job training to uncertified members of the crew. - The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development’s Lead Paint Safety field
guide (PDF)—This manual illustrates the safety precautions you need to take while doing home maintenance and working with paint in homes and child care centers built before 1978. This is a recommended resource for do-it-yourselfers. - The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development’s Guidelines for the Evaluation and Control of Lead-Based Paint Hazards in
Housing —These guidelines describe how to perform paint-disturbing work in homes built before 1978—from planning stages to making sure a home is clean and safe after renovation work is complete. These guidelines are comprehensive and considered the “documented methodology” for safely conducting lead-based paint work under Wisconsin Admin. Code, Ch. DHS163.