Lead Abatement Contractor License
Exam Questions And Correct Answers
(Verified Answers) Plus Rationales
2026 Q&A
1. What is the primary purpose of lead abatement?
A) To increase property value
B) To permanently eliminate lead-based paint hazards
C) To repaint surfaces
D) To clean dust only
B) To permanently eliminate lead-based paint hazards
Because lead abatement aims to permanently remove or encapsulate lead
hazards, not just clean or repaint surfaces.
2. What is the maximum allowable lead dust level for floors after
abatement according to California regulations?
A) 40 micrograms per square foot
B) 10 micrograms per square foot
,C) 100 micrograms per square foot
D) 250 micrograms per square foot
A) 40 micrograms per square foot
California sets this clearance level to ensure dust lead hazards are below
health-risk thresholds.
3. What type of personal protective equipment (PPE) must lead
abatement workers wear during work?
A) Gloves only
B) Respirator and disposable coveralls
C) Hard hat only
D) Safety glasses only
B) Respirator and disposable coveralls
Respirators prevent inhalation of lead dust; disposable coveralls prevent
contamination of clothing.
4. Which method is NOT acceptable for lead paint removal?
A) Wet scraping
B) Heat guns above 1100°F
C) Chemical stripping
D) Low-speed sanding with HEPA vacuum
B) Heat guns above 1100°F
High heat can vaporize lead, creating a toxic hazard; heat guns must be
below 1100°F.
, 5. What does HEPA stand for?
A) High Efficiency Particulate Air
B) High Emission Particle Absorber
C) Hazardous Environmental Protection Agency
D) High Energy Particle Analyzer
A) High Efficiency Particulate Air
HEPA filters remove 99.97% of particles 0.3 microns or larger, critical in
lead dust control.
6. Which of the following is NOT a common lead hazard in older
buildings?
A) Chipping paint
B) Lead-contaminated soil
C) Asbestos insulation
D) Lead dust
C) Asbestos insulation
Asbestos is a separate hazard; lead hazards are related to paint, dust, and
soil contamination.
7. When must a clearance examination be performed?
A) Before starting abatement
B) Immediately after abatement, before re-occupancy
C) One year after abatement
D) Only if children are present
, B) Immediately after abatement, before re-occupancy v v v v
Clearance ensures the site is safe and lead dust levels meet regulatory
v v v v v v v v v v v
standards before occupancy.
v v v
8. Which agency enforces lead abatement regulations in California?
v v v v v v v
A) OSHA
B) EPA
C) Department of Toxic Substances Control (DTSC) v v v v v
D) California Department of Public Health (CDPH)
v v v v v
D) California Department of Public Health (CDPH) v v v v v
CDPH oversees lead-related regulations and licensing in California.
v v v v v v v
9. What is the minimum size of containment barriers used during lead
v v v v v v v v v v
abatement?
v
A) 10 mil plastic sheeting
v v v
B) 2 mil plastic sheeting
v v v
C) 4 mil plastic sheeting
v v v
D) 1 mil plastic sheeting
v v v
C) 4 mil plastic sheeting
v v v
4 mil is standard for durability and preventing lead dust escape.
v v v v v v v v v v
10. How long must lead abatement records be kept in California?
v v v v v v v v v
A) 1 yearv
B) 3 years
v
Exam Questions And Correct Answers
(Verified Answers) Plus Rationales
2026 Q&A
1. What is the primary purpose of lead abatement?
A) To increase property value
B) To permanently eliminate lead-based paint hazards
C) To repaint surfaces
D) To clean dust only
B) To permanently eliminate lead-based paint hazards
Because lead abatement aims to permanently remove or encapsulate lead
hazards, not just clean or repaint surfaces.
2. What is the maximum allowable lead dust level for floors after
abatement according to California regulations?
A) 40 micrograms per square foot
B) 10 micrograms per square foot
,C) 100 micrograms per square foot
D) 250 micrograms per square foot
A) 40 micrograms per square foot
California sets this clearance level to ensure dust lead hazards are below
health-risk thresholds.
3. What type of personal protective equipment (PPE) must lead
abatement workers wear during work?
A) Gloves only
B) Respirator and disposable coveralls
C) Hard hat only
D) Safety glasses only
B) Respirator and disposable coveralls
Respirators prevent inhalation of lead dust; disposable coveralls prevent
contamination of clothing.
4. Which method is NOT acceptable for lead paint removal?
A) Wet scraping
B) Heat guns above 1100°F
C) Chemical stripping
D) Low-speed sanding with HEPA vacuum
B) Heat guns above 1100°F
High heat can vaporize lead, creating a toxic hazard; heat guns must be
below 1100°F.
, 5. What does HEPA stand for?
A) High Efficiency Particulate Air
B) High Emission Particle Absorber
C) Hazardous Environmental Protection Agency
D) High Energy Particle Analyzer
A) High Efficiency Particulate Air
HEPA filters remove 99.97% of particles 0.3 microns or larger, critical in
lead dust control.
6. Which of the following is NOT a common lead hazard in older
buildings?
A) Chipping paint
B) Lead-contaminated soil
C) Asbestos insulation
D) Lead dust
C) Asbestos insulation
Asbestos is a separate hazard; lead hazards are related to paint, dust, and
soil contamination.
7. When must a clearance examination be performed?
A) Before starting abatement
B) Immediately after abatement, before re-occupancy
C) One year after abatement
D) Only if children are present
, B) Immediately after abatement, before re-occupancy v v v v
Clearance ensures the site is safe and lead dust levels meet regulatory
v v v v v v v v v v v
standards before occupancy.
v v v
8. Which agency enforces lead abatement regulations in California?
v v v v v v v
A) OSHA
B) EPA
C) Department of Toxic Substances Control (DTSC) v v v v v
D) California Department of Public Health (CDPH)
v v v v v
D) California Department of Public Health (CDPH) v v v v v
CDPH oversees lead-related regulations and licensing in California.
v v v v v v v
9. What is the minimum size of containment barriers used during lead
v v v v v v v v v v
abatement?
v
A) 10 mil plastic sheeting
v v v
B) 2 mil plastic sheeting
v v v
C) 4 mil plastic sheeting
v v v
D) 1 mil plastic sheeting
v v v
C) 4 mil plastic sheeting
v v v
4 mil is standard for durability and preventing lead dust escape.
v v v v v v v v v v
10. How long must lead abatement records be kept in California?
v v v v v v v v v
A) 1 yearv
B) 3 years
v
