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Environmental Certifications in New York: What They Are, Who Requires Them, and How to Get Them


Environmental certifications in New York

If you're exploring a career in environmental work (or you're already in the field and looking to expand what you're legally authorized to do) certifications are the foundation. In New York, the credentials that matter most aren't optional. They're required by law, enforced by state and city agencies, and directly tied to the work you can perform and bill for.


In our last post, we broke down the two sides of the environmental industry: Consulting and Contracting. In this post, we break down the four certification categories that drive the environmental industry in New York: asbestos, lead, mold, and OSHA/HAZWOPER. For each one, we'll cover what it is, who requires it, what it authorizes you to do, and how to get it.


Asbestos Certifications

Asbestos certifications in New York are governed by the New York State Department of Labor (NYSDOL) under Industrial Code Rule 56 (ICR-56) for state-regulated projects, and by the New York City Department of Environmental Protection (NYCDEP) under Title 15 of the Rules of the City of New York for work in the five boroughs. These are separate regulatory frameworks with separate credentials (a state certification does not automatically satisfy NYC requirements).


The main asbestos certification categories in New York include:

Asbestos Handler (Contracting)

Required for workers who physically disturb, remove, or handle asbestos-containing materials (ACM). This is the entry-level certification for anyone doing hands-on abatement work.


Required for individuals who oversee asbestos abatement projects. Supervisors must be on-site during abatement work and are responsible for compliance with regulatory requirements.


Asbestos Project Designer (Consulting and Contracting)

Required for individuals who design asbestos abatement specifications and project scopes, and file petitions for variances when a project needs relief from a NYC or NYS abatement procedure. This certification fits into both the consulting and contracting side.


Asbestos Inspector (Consulting)

Required for individuals who conduct building inspections to identify and assess asbestos-containing materials prior to renovation or demolition. Inspectors collect bulk samples and prepare inspection reports.


Required for individuals who assess asbestos hazards, recommend appropriate response actions, and develop and maintain asbestos operations and maintenance (O&M) plans for buildings where asbestos is present but not being removed.


Required for the independent third-party consultant who oversees abatement work on behalf of building owners. The project monitor is present on-site during abatement, documents compliance, and collects clearance air samples at the conclusion of the project.


Required for individuals who collect air samples during and after asbestos abatement projects to monitor airborne fiber levels. Air sampling is a distinct function from project monitoring and the technician is responsible for the technical collection and documentation of samples, which are then analyzed by a laboratory to support clearance determinations and regulatory compliance.  Most Project Monitors also hold Air Sampling Technician licenses, and when you take the Project Monitor Initial Course – you just need to make sure the “Air Sampling Technician” box is also checked off on your license application to obtain both licenses (no additional class needed!).


Required for workers in other construction trades (electricians, plumbers, carpenters, and similar) who may encounter asbestos-containing materials in the course of their regular work but are not performing abatement. This credential allows tradespeople to work in or around asbestos-regulated areas under specific conditions without holding a full abatement certification.


Required for building operations and maintenance staff who work in buildings where asbestos-containing materials are present but are not being removed. O&M training covers how to recognize ACM, how to work safely around it without causing disturbance, and what to do if an unexpected disturbance occurs. This is a common credential for building superintendents, facilities managers, and maintenance personnel in older commercial and residential properties.


All asbestos certifications in New York require completion of an accredited training course and must be renewed annually. NYC DEP credentials have additional requirements and renewal processes beyond the state certification.



Lead Certifications

Lead certifications in New York are regulated at the federal level by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) under the Toxic Substances Control Act. New York is an EPA-administered state for lead - meaning the EPA issues and oversees lead credentials directly, rather than through a separate state licensing program. That said, NYS and New York City have governing Lead Paint regulations as they apply to certain procedures and the execution of work.


Required for the individual responsible for ensuring that renovation work in pre-1978 buildings is performed in accordance with EPA lead-safe work practices. At least one certified renovator must be assigned to each RRP project.


EPA RRP Certified Firm (Contracting)

Required for companies performing renovation work subject to the RRP Rule. Firm certification is separate from individual renovator certification — both are required.


Required for individuals who supervise lead abatement projects. At least one certified supervisor must be on-site at all times during abatement work.


Lead Abatement Worker (Contracting)

Required for workers performing lead abatement activities under the supervision of a certified supervisor.


Lead Inspector (Consulting)

Required for individuals who conduct lead inspections to determine whether lead-based paint is present in a structure, including XRF inspection work required under New York City Local Law 31.


Lead Risk Assessor (Consulting)

Required for individuals who conduct risk assessments evaluating the nature and severity of lead-based paint hazards.


Lead Project Designer (Consulting and Contracting)

Required for individuals who design lead abatement projects above a certain scope threshold. 



Mold Certifications

Mold licensing in New York is governed by Article 32 of the New York State Labor Law, which took effect in January 2016. Article 32 established a licensing framework for mold assessment and mold remediation work in New York, and it includes a critical independence requirement that affects how projects must be structured.


The key mold credentials under Article 32 and issued by the NYSDOL are:


Mold Assessor (Consulting)

Authorized to conduct mold inspections, collect samples, and develop mold remediation protocols. The assessor identifies the problem and specifies what needs to be done.


Perform the physical remediation work such as removing contaminated materials, cleaning affected surfaces, and addressing the moisture source. Remediators must follow the protocol developed by the assessor.


Mold Abatement Worker (Contracting)

Works under the supervision of a licensed mold remediation contractor/supervisor on remediation projects.


The independence requirement under Article 32 is significant: the same individual or company cannot serve as both the mold assessor and the mold remediation contractor on the same project. The assessment and remediation functions must be performed by separate, licensed parties. This was designed to prevent conflicts of interest and ensure objective evaluation of remediation work.


Both the Mold Assessor and Mold Remediation Contractor licenses require completion of a state-approved training course, a passing score on a licensing examination, and renewal every two years.



OSHA and HAZWOPER Certifications

OSHA certifications are federally administered under the Occupational Safety and Health Administration and apply across industries. In the environmental sector, the most relevant OSHA credentials are:


A foundational safety awareness course covering general construction site hazards, rights, and responsibilities. Required or expected on many construction projects, including demolition and renovation work involving hazardous materials. Does not authorize independent work at hazardous waste sites.


A more comprehensive course covering the same topics as the 10-hour at greater depth, designed for supervisors and site safety personnel on construction projects.  Required on most projects in NYS.


40-Hour HAZWOPER (29 CFR 1910.120)

Required for workers who perform hazardous waste operations and emergency response. In the environmental consulting and contracting context, the 40-hour HAZWOPER is the standard credential for fieldwork at contaminated sites: Phase II investigations, remediation projects, soil and groundwater sampling, and similar work involving potential exposure to hazardous substances. An annual 8-hour refresher is required to maintain the credential.


24-Hour HAZWOPER

A shorter version for workers with limited site exposure - typically for occasional site workers who are not handling hazardous materials directly. Less common in the environmental consulting and contracting context than the 40-hour.


HAZWOPER applies to both consulting and contracting roles. Many environmental consultants and inspectors hold 40-hour HAZWOPER as a baseline requirement for field assignments, regardless of what other specialty certifications they carry.



How to get EHS certified with CNS Environmental in NYS

How to Get Certified

All of the certifications described above are obtained through accredited training programs. 


Accreditation requirements vary by certification type where some programs are accredited by NYSDOL, some by NYSDOH, some by the EPA, and some by OSHA.



When evaluating a training provider, the key questions are:

  • Is the course accredited by the correct regulatory body for the certification you need? 

  • Does the course meet the required hour minimums? 

  • And does the provider offer the exam or exam preparation required for licensure?


CNS Environmental's Training Division offers accredited courses across asbestos, lead, mold, and OSHA certification categories for both New York State and New York City requirements, as well as meeting the requirements for many other states, where reciprocity is offered. 


Courses are available for initial certification and renewals.


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