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Asbestos: Apply for Asbestos Course Accreditation

The Wisconsin Department of Health Services (DHS) accredits training that qualifies a person to get certified by DHS in an asbestos discipline. The different asbestos disciplines and associated training requirements are listed in this Certification Requirements for Asbestos Discipline fact sheet, P-00848a (In English and Spanish).

What is accreditation?

Accreditation is approval to offer an asbestos training course. A course accreditation application that meets requirements will be given contingent accreditation by DHS. This allows a training company to teach a course pending a live class audit to determine if the course qualifies for full accreditation, which means it has met all training standards and requirements set by DHS to ensure people working with asbestos are properly trained.

Each distinct course leading to certification in an asbestos discipline must be separately accredited. This includes initial and refresher courses. If you want to teach both initial and refresher courses for a particular discipline (for example, asbestos abatement worker), you must apply for both. In addition, if you wish to offer a course in more than one language, each language requires a separate course accreditation application.

DHS only accredits courses held in Wisconsin. Live, instructor-led online training may be substituted for some portions of classes as appropriate, as long as DHS has access to attend to audit for compliance.

How do I get ready to apply for accreditation?

Certify your company

Asbestos company certification, F-44002 (English and Spanish) is required before you can offer or conduct asbestos training classes. An asbestos company that is a training provider is responsible for:

  • Notifying DHS of scheduled classes and revising as needed.
  • Submitting post-class student data to DHS.
  • Making sure students are eligible before letting them take class.
  • Making and following a quality control plan that includes an annual review of course materials and instructors.
  • Routinely reviewing your materials for updates and submitting revisions to DHS for approval before using them.
  • Designating instructors for the course.

Choose a principal instructor

DHS must approve your company's chosen principal instructor, F-00049 (PDF). The principal instructor is responsible for:

  • Organizing, teaching, supervising other instructors.
  • Checking that student manuals and materials are available for each student.
  • Checking that required training equipment is available and in good working order.
  • Reviewing student identification, taking student photographs, and completing student attendance sign-in records.
  • Actively involving all students in classroom and hands-on learning activities.
  • Securely administering the course test.

Principal instructor approvals for asbestos courses

There are four types of instructor approvals. See the corresponding requirements for each type below, then submit a principal instructor application, F-00049 (PDF) and fee for each approval you are requesting.

Submit a principal instructor application, F-00049 (PDF) to be the principal instructor for asbestos supervisor, asbestos worker, exterior asbestos supervisor, or exterior asbestos worker courses (initial or refresher).

To qualify for this approval, you must:

  • Be certified as an asbestos supervisor
  • Complete a 16-hour “train-the-trainer” course or equivalent college-level coursework.
  • Have at least one year of relevant experience.

Submit a principal instructor application, F-00049 (PDF) to be the principal instructor for the asbestos inspector courses (initial or refresher).

To qualify for this approval, you must:

  • Be certified as an asbestos inspector F-44017 (PDF)
  • Complete a 16-hour “train-the-trainer” course or equivalent college-level coursework.
  • Have at least one year of relevant experience.

Submit a principal instructor application, F-00049 (PDF) to be the principal instructor for the asbestos management planner courses (initial or refresher).

To qualify for this approval, you must:

Submit a principal instructor application, F-00049 (PDF) to be the principal instructor for the asbestos project designer courses (initial or refresher).

To qualify for this approval, you must:

  • Be certified as an asbestos project designer F-44017 (PDF)
  • Complete a 16-hour “train-the-trainer” course or equivalent college-level coursework
  • Have at least one year of relevant work experience.

Gather resources, supplies, and equipment

You’ll need to have enough space for classroom and hands-on training. You’ll also need to have supplies and properly maintained equipment that’s in working condition for demonstrating and practicing the hands-on skills. Accredited courses need to use instructional materials, like manuals and handouts, that are approved by DHS.

When you apply for accreditation, you’ll need to submit a training resources description that shows you have what you need for the specific course requirements (see below).

Putting together your application

The following materials must be submitted as a completed application for contingent course accreditation.

Submit the completed Asbestos Training Course Accreditation Application, F-00039 (PDF) and fee for each course you'd like to offer.

Training Resources Description, F-03295C (DOCX)

This description should include all the following:

  • Facilities that will be used for lecture and hands-on training, including location and address
  • Training supplies and equipment that will be used for demonstration and hands-on activities
  • Audiovisual materials that will be used (for example, video clips, slides)

Recordkeeping Description F-03295A (DOCX)

This description should include all the following:

  • A list of all the types of records you will keep
  • How long you will keep them
  • The address and business hours of the records location

Students Admission Plan F-03295 (DOCX)

This plan should ensure that training providers will only admit students to class who:

  • Meet the age requirement .
  • Show a valid form of photo identification.
  • Are eligible to get certified with a refresher class (if the course is a refresher).
  • Are competent in the language of class instruction.
  • Have completed any necessary pre-requisite courses (for courses with pre-requisites).

Each course has a set of curriculum requirements that must be covered. These requirements must be reflected in the written learning goals and objectives for the course. These requirements include specific topics to cover in lecture or through other appropriate teaching methods, as well as hands-on skills to demonstrate, practice, and assess.

When you apply, you will submit your curriculum categorized by instructor versus student materials. Instructor materials are typically much more detailed as they include the same information students receive in the corresponding materials, but also prompts and directions for the instructor about how to cover that information.

Submit each of the following:

Submit a course test and answer key with at least the number of multiple-choice questions indicated:

  • Initial exterior asbestos worker: 25
  • Initial exterior asbestos supervisor: 25
  • Initial asbestos worker: 50
  • Initial asbestos inspector: 50
  • Initial asbestos management planner: 50
  • Initial asbestos supervisor: 100
  • Initial project designer: 100
  • All refresher courses: 25

Also provide the course test blueprint (DOCX) showing how the test was developed to reflect the learning goals and objectives of the course.

This is the document you’ll hand to students who successfully complete all course requirements.

It must meet the format and content requirements under Wis. Admin. Code § DHS 159.22(17).

This is the evaluation form (DOCX) you will give to students to rate the instructor and course after class so you can get feedback about what to improve.

You are required to review and address these at least annually, per your quality control plan.

See "Ongoing responsibilities of approved training providers" below.

Once all application materials are ready to submit, contact DHSAsbestosLead@dhs.wisconsin.gov for instructions.

What happens once I have submitted my application?

DHS reviews applications for course accreditation to make sure the course as described in writing meets all requirements.

Within 15 calendar days of receiving an application, DHS reviews it for completeness. If there are any missing items, DHS will contact you with a deadline for submitting them.

It can take up to 90 days from receipt for DHS to review a complete application for course accreditation. DHS will then either grant contingent accreditation, request changes, or deny accreditation.

If DHS issues contingent accreditation, you will be able to schedule and hold classes. You must notify DHS about scheduled classes at least 10 days before the start date. Once your class starts, you must complete it within the next 30 days.

A DHS representative will visit your class to make sure you are meeting the requirements.

If DHS determines that your class meets all requirements, your course will receive full accreditation.

DHS may audit your course to ensure compliance throughout the duration of the accreditation.

Renewing your course accreditation

Once your training course accreditation expires, you cannot hold any more classes. To maintain continuous accreditation, submit your asbestos course accreditation renewal application. F-00040 (DOCX) and fee at least 60 days before it expires.

If you apply for renewal within one year after expiring, DHS may reinstate accreditation. If you wait longer to apply, you will need to submit a new application and associated materials to qualify for contingent accreditation.

Glossary

 
Last revised October 7, 2024