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Frequently Asked Questions
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Why are certification exams required?
Who must take the certification exams?
Who offers the certification exams?
Where and when are the exams offered?
What are the exams like?
How much does it cost to take the exams?
Can I have the exam given at my company?
Can I go to CPS Human Resource Services to take my exam?
Are special accommodations available for people with disabilities?
Are there “combined” exams?
Are there any study guides available to help me study for the exam?
When do I take my exam?
How do I register for my exam?
How do I get admitted into the exam?
What happens if I fail my exam?
What happens after I pass my exam?
Am I certified for lead-related construction work once I pass the exam?
When can I apply for certification?
How do I apply for certification?
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Why are certification exams required?
The federal Residential Lead-Based Paint Hazard Reduction Act of 1992, also known as Title X, requires all states to have lead certification programs that are at least as protective as the Federal certification program. Because the Federal certification program requires individuals to pass a proficiency exam in order to become fully certified, California’s lead certification program must do the same.
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Who must take the certification exams?
California requires certification exams for Lead Abatement Inspector/Assessors, Lead Abatement Supervisors, Lead Abatement Project Designers and Lead Abatement Project Monitors. There are separate exams for each of these four types of certifications. Lead Workers are not required to take a certification exam.
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Who offers the certification exams?
CPS Human Resource Services is the contractor that DHS has chosen to administer the exams. This company has extensive experience administering many types of licensing and certification exams in California. This is the only company who offers California’s approved lead certification exams. Passing a certification exam offered by another company or another state will not make you eligible for lead certification in California.
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Where and when are the exams offered?
CPS Human Resource Services offers the exams monthly at testing sites
in Northern and Southern California. Exams are generally held on the 3rd
Wednesday of the month. Effective January 2005 certain months will be Spanish
only exams. Please see schedule for more information.
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What are the exams like?
The certification exams consist of 100 to 125 multiple-choice
questions. They are offered in English and the Supervisor exam is also offered
in Spanish. None of the exams include any “hands-on” or performance testing.
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How much does it cost to take the exams?
For information about exam fees, please click here.
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Can I have the exam given at my company?
Yes. Please click here to see information on Special Testing Arrangements.
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Can I go to CPS Human Resource Services to take my exam?
Yes. Please click here to see information on Special Testing Arrangements.
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Are special accommodations available for people with disabilities?
Yes, for no additional charge, CPS Human Resource Services can provide ADA accommodations for those with special needs.
Please contact CPS about special accomodations.
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Are there “combined” exams?
No. The exams for Lead Abatement Supervisor, Lead Abatement Inspector/Assessor,
Lead Abatement Project Designer and Lead Abatement Project Monitor are each
separate. If you want to get more than one of these certificates, you must
take a separate exam for each.
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Are there any study guides available to help me study for the exam?
Study guides are available on our website under the "Study Guide"
link. They are also available at the Childhood Lead Poisoning Prevention
Branch website at www.dhs.ca.gov/childlead/html/materials.html
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When do I take my exam?
You may take the exam on any of the scheduled dates or make
special testing arrangements with CPS Human Resource Services. You need
to take and pass the exam before you apply to DHS for certification.
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How do I register for my exam?
Please click here to learn how to register.
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How do I get admitted into the exam?
To be admitted into your exam, you must show one of the following:
- Current state-issued driver's license or DMV identification card
- Current U.S. or foreign issued passport
- U.S. Military identification card issued within the past 5 years
- Resident Alien Card
- Consular ID (Matricula Consular)
- DHS Lead Certification Card
If you cannot properly identify yourself, you will be denied entrance into the exam.
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What happens if I fail my exam?
If you fail an exam, CPS Human Resource Services will tell you how
many questions you got correct and how many you missed on each of the
topic area sub-sections of the exam. For exam security reasons, however,
they cannot tell you which questions you missed.
There is no waiting period to retake the exam, however, you must register
and pay for the repeat exam as described above. It is strongly recommended
that you take sufficient time to thoroughly study using the study guides
prior to retaking an exam.
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What happens after I pass my exam?
CPS Human Resource Services will send a copy of your exam results to you. Please send a copy of these results to DHS. Once you have received notice that you passed your exam you may apply for certification. DHS will then review your experience, training, and education to determine if you meet all of the requirements for certification.
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Am I certified for lead-related construction work once I pass the exam?
No. You must apply to the California Department of Health Services (DHS) for certification.
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When can I apply for certification?
Apply to DHS after CPS has notified you that you have passed the exam
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How do I apply for certification?
You must apply to DHS for certification. Do not
send application materials to CPS. For application forms, instructions,
and other certification-related questions, contact DHS at 1-800-597-5323
(LEAD), or www.dhs.ca.gov/childlead/html/materials.html
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