EPA Lead Risk Assessor 2026/2027 | EPA Lead Risk Assessor
Certification Exam Study Guide, Practice Questions with Answers
& Rationales, 40 CFR Part 745, TSCA Title IV, Lead-Based Paint
Hazards, Risk Assessment Procedures, Inspection & Sampling,
XRF, Dust & Soil Sampling, Clearance Testing, Lead Hazard
Control & EPA Regulations
Question 1: A lead risk assessor is conducting an evaluation of a pre-1978
residential dwelling. Which of the following best describes the primary
distinction between a lead-based paint inspection and a lead risk assessment?
A. An inspection identifies lead-based paint, while a risk assessment determines
whether lead-based paint hazards exist.
B. An inspection is performed only by certified risk assessors, while a risk
assessment may be performed by any certified contractor.
C. An inspection evaluates soil and dust lead levels, while a risk assessment
evaluates only paint.
D. An inspection is a mandatory federal requirement, while a risk assessment is
purely voluntary.
CORRECT ANSWER: A. An inspection identifies lead-based paint, while a risk
assessment determines whether lead-based paint hazards exist.
Rationale: A lead-based paint inspection identifies the presence and location of
lead-based paint, whereas a risk assessment goes further to determine whether
lead-based paint hazards (such as deteriorated paint, contaminated dust, and soil)
are present and what control options are appropriate .
Question 2: Which of the following is the minimum number of training hours
required for an initial lead risk assessor certification course?
A. 16 hours
B. 24 hours
C. 32 hours
D. 40 hours
CORRECT ANSWER: C. 32 hours.
Rationale: The lead risk assessor initial training course must last a minimum of 32
training hours, which includes the inspection curriculum plus additional risk
assessment-specific training .
,Question 3: A risk assessor is preparing to conduct a risk assessment in a multi-
family dwelling. According to work practice standards, which surfaces must be
tested for lead-based paint?
A. Only surfaces with visibly deteriorated paint
B. Only friction and impact surfaces
C. Each component with a distinct painting history in every common area
D. Only surfaces in units occupied by children under six years of age
CORRECT ANSWER: C. Each component with a distinct painting history in every
common area.
Rationale: In multi-family dwellings and child-occupied facilities, each component
with a distinct painting history in every common area must be tested for lead-
based paint, except those components determined to have been replaced after
1978 or to not contain lead-based paint .
Question 4: When conducting a risk assessment in a residential dwelling, which
of the following best describes the required dust sampling locations?
A. Only kitchen floors and countertops
B. Any interior window sill and floor in living areas where children under six are
most likely to contact dust
C. Only exterior window sills
D. Only bedroom floors
CORRECT ANSWER: B. Any interior window sill and floor in living areas where
children under six are most likely to contact dust.
Rationale: Dust samples (either composite or single-surface) must be collected
from any interior window sill and floor in living areas where one or more children
six years of age or younger are most likely to come into contact with dust .
Question 5: A lead risk assessor is evaluating a child-occupied facility. According
to regulatory requirements, where must soil samples be collected and analyzed?
A. Only in the parking lot area
B. Only in areas where bare soil is present and children play
C. In exterior play areas with bare soil, non-play yard areas with bare soil, and
,dripline or foundation areas with bare soil
D. Only in areas adjacent to the building foundation
CORRECT ANSWER: C. In exterior play areas with bare soil, non-play yard areas
with bare soil, and dripline or foundation areas with bare soil.
Rationale: Soil samples must be collected from exterior play areas where bare soil
is present, the rest of the yard where bare soil is present, and dripline or
foundation areas where bare soil is present .
Question 6: Which of the following best describes the role of a lead risk assessor
in developing hazard control options?
A. The risk assessor must personally perform all abatement activities identified.
B. The risk assessor recommends control options including interim controls and
operations and maintenance activities.
C. The risk assessor is responsible only for identifying hazards, not for
recommending controls.
D. The risk assessor must obtain approval from the property owner before
recommending any controls.
CORRECT ANSWER: B. The risk assessor recommends control options including
interim controls and operations and maintenance activities.
Rationale: The risk assessor's role includes development of hazard control
options, understanding the role of interim controls, and recommending
operations and maintenance activities to reduce lead-based paint hazards .
Question 7: A risk assessor is reviewing laboratory results for a paint chip
sample. What is the primary purpose of analyzing paint chip samples in a risk
assessment context?
A. To determine the exact age of the paint
B. To determine if the paint contains detectable levels of lead that can be
quantified numerically
C. To identify the manufacturer of the paint
D. To determine the paint's resistance to weathering
CORRECT ANSWER: B. To determine if the paint contains detectable levels of
lead that can be quantified numerically.
, Rationale: All collected paint chip samples must be analyzed to determine if they
contain detectable levels of lead that can be quantified numerically, using
documented methodologies with adequate quality control procedures .
Question 8: According to EPA regulations, how frequently must a certified lead
risk assessor apply for re-certification if the individual completed a training
course with a course test and hands-on assessment?
A. Every year
B. Every 2 years
C. Every 3 years
D. Every 5 years
CORRECT ANSWER: C. Every 3 years.
Rationale: To maintain certification, individuals who completed a training course
with a course test and hands-on assessment must be re-certified every 3 years by
completing the appropriate accredited refresher training course .
Question 9: A lead risk assessor is preparing the final risk assessment report.
Which of the following must be included in the report?
A. Only the laboratory results
B. Date of inspection, address of building, date of construction, and name and
certification number of the risk assessor
C. Only the name of the property owner
D. Only the recommended abatement methods
CORRECT ANSWER: B. Date of inspection, address of building, date of
construction, and name and certification number of the risk assessor.
Rationale: The inspection report must include the date of each inspection,
address of the building, date of construction, apartment numbers (if applicable),
name and contact information of the owner, and the name, signature, and
certification number of each certified inspector and/or risk assessor conducting
testing .
Question 10: Which of the following best describes the purpose of a lead hazard
screen?
Certification Exam Study Guide, Practice Questions with Answers
& Rationales, 40 CFR Part 745, TSCA Title IV, Lead-Based Paint
Hazards, Risk Assessment Procedures, Inspection & Sampling,
XRF, Dust & Soil Sampling, Clearance Testing, Lead Hazard
Control & EPA Regulations
Question 1: A lead risk assessor is conducting an evaluation of a pre-1978
residential dwelling. Which of the following best describes the primary
distinction between a lead-based paint inspection and a lead risk assessment?
A. An inspection identifies lead-based paint, while a risk assessment determines
whether lead-based paint hazards exist.
B. An inspection is performed only by certified risk assessors, while a risk
assessment may be performed by any certified contractor.
C. An inspection evaluates soil and dust lead levels, while a risk assessment
evaluates only paint.
D. An inspection is a mandatory federal requirement, while a risk assessment is
purely voluntary.
CORRECT ANSWER: A. An inspection identifies lead-based paint, while a risk
assessment determines whether lead-based paint hazards exist.
Rationale: A lead-based paint inspection identifies the presence and location of
lead-based paint, whereas a risk assessment goes further to determine whether
lead-based paint hazards (such as deteriorated paint, contaminated dust, and soil)
are present and what control options are appropriate .
Question 2: Which of the following is the minimum number of training hours
required for an initial lead risk assessor certification course?
A. 16 hours
B. 24 hours
C. 32 hours
D. 40 hours
CORRECT ANSWER: C. 32 hours.
Rationale: The lead risk assessor initial training course must last a minimum of 32
training hours, which includes the inspection curriculum plus additional risk
assessment-specific training .
,Question 3: A risk assessor is preparing to conduct a risk assessment in a multi-
family dwelling. According to work practice standards, which surfaces must be
tested for lead-based paint?
A. Only surfaces with visibly deteriorated paint
B. Only friction and impact surfaces
C. Each component with a distinct painting history in every common area
D. Only surfaces in units occupied by children under six years of age
CORRECT ANSWER: C. Each component with a distinct painting history in every
common area.
Rationale: In multi-family dwellings and child-occupied facilities, each component
with a distinct painting history in every common area must be tested for lead-
based paint, except those components determined to have been replaced after
1978 or to not contain lead-based paint .
Question 4: When conducting a risk assessment in a residential dwelling, which
of the following best describes the required dust sampling locations?
A. Only kitchen floors and countertops
B. Any interior window sill and floor in living areas where children under six are
most likely to contact dust
C. Only exterior window sills
D. Only bedroom floors
CORRECT ANSWER: B. Any interior window sill and floor in living areas where
children under six are most likely to contact dust.
Rationale: Dust samples (either composite or single-surface) must be collected
from any interior window sill and floor in living areas where one or more children
six years of age or younger are most likely to come into contact with dust .
Question 5: A lead risk assessor is evaluating a child-occupied facility. According
to regulatory requirements, where must soil samples be collected and analyzed?
A. Only in the parking lot area
B. Only in areas where bare soil is present and children play
C. In exterior play areas with bare soil, non-play yard areas with bare soil, and
,dripline or foundation areas with bare soil
D. Only in areas adjacent to the building foundation
CORRECT ANSWER: C. In exterior play areas with bare soil, non-play yard areas
with bare soil, and dripline or foundation areas with bare soil.
Rationale: Soil samples must be collected from exterior play areas where bare soil
is present, the rest of the yard where bare soil is present, and dripline or
foundation areas where bare soil is present .
Question 6: Which of the following best describes the role of a lead risk assessor
in developing hazard control options?
A. The risk assessor must personally perform all abatement activities identified.
B. The risk assessor recommends control options including interim controls and
operations and maintenance activities.
C. The risk assessor is responsible only for identifying hazards, not for
recommending controls.
D. The risk assessor must obtain approval from the property owner before
recommending any controls.
CORRECT ANSWER: B. The risk assessor recommends control options including
interim controls and operations and maintenance activities.
Rationale: The risk assessor's role includes development of hazard control
options, understanding the role of interim controls, and recommending
operations and maintenance activities to reduce lead-based paint hazards .
Question 7: A risk assessor is reviewing laboratory results for a paint chip
sample. What is the primary purpose of analyzing paint chip samples in a risk
assessment context?
A. To determine the exact age of the paint
B. To determine if the paint contains detectable levels of lead that can be
quantified numerically
C. To identify the manufacturer of the paint
D. To determine the paint's resistance to weathering
CORRECT ANSWER: B. To determine if the paint contains detectable levels of
lead that can be quantified numerically.
, Rationale: All collected paint chip samples must be analyzed to determine if they
contain detectable levels of lead that can be quantified numerically, using
documented methodologies with adequate quality control procedures .
Question 8: According to EPA regulations, how frequently must a certified lead
risk assessor apply for re-certification if the individual completed a training
course with a course test and hands-on assessment?
A. Every year
B. Every 2 years
C. Every 3 years
D. Every 5 years
CORRECT ANSWER: C. Every 3 years.
Rationale: To maintain certification, individuals who completed a training course
with a course test and hands-on assessment must be re-certified every 3 years by
completing the appropriate accredited refresher training course .
Question 9: A lead risk assessor is preparing the final risk assessment report.
Which of the following must be included in the report?
A. Only the laboratory results
B. Date of inspection, address of building, date of construction, and name and
certification number of the risk assessor
C. Only the name of the property owner
D. Only the recommended abatement methods
CORRECT ANSWER: B. Date of inspection, address of building, date of
construction, and name and certification number of the risk assessor.
Rationale: The inspection report must include the date of each inspection,
address of the building, date of construction, apartment numbers (if applicable),
name and contact information of the owner, and the name, signature, and
certification number of each certified inspector and/or risk assessor conducting
testing .
Question 10: Which of the following best describes the purpose of a lead hazard
screen?
