Ohio Asbestos Certification and Licensing Guide
Ohio EPA asbestos certification types, training requirements, fees, and application process. AHES, AHAS, AHAW, and contractor licensing.
Overview
Ohio EPA’s Division of Air Pollution Control (DAPC) licenses business entities and certifies individuals involved in the asbestos abatement industry under OAC 3745-22. Anyone performing regulated asbestos work in Ohio must hold the appropriate certification before starting work.
The certification process has two steps:
- Complete the required EPA-accredited training course(s) from a licensed training provider
- Apply to Ohio EPA and pay the certification fee (online through the eBusiness Center or by paper form)
All training courses must be approved by the Ohio EPA Director. All certifications expire one year after issuance and require annual renewal with refresher training.
Individual Certifications
Asbestos Hazard Evaluation Specialist (AHES)
What it authorizes: Inspecting, identifying, detecting, and assessing ACM and suspect ACM. Determining appropriate response actions. Preparing asbestos management plans. Collecting bulk samples. Performing air monitoring.
Training required: 3-day EPA-accredited building inspector initial course AND 2-day EPA-accredited management planner initial course (typically offered together in one work week).
Annual fee: $200
Renewal: 1-day inspector/management planner refresher course annually. Renewal fee: $200/year.
Who needs this: Environmental consultants who perform pre-demolition/renovation asbestos surveys, building inspectors, anyone collecting bulk samples or performing air monitoring who is not using the air monitoring technician certification.
This is the certification most environmental consultants hold for asbestos work. Ohio’s pre-demolition/renovation survey must be performed by a certified AHES.
Asbestos Hazard Abatement Specialist (AHAS)
What it authorizes: Coordinating and supervising asbestos hazard abatement activities on-site.
Training required: 5-day EPA-accredited contractor/supervisor initial course.
Annual fee: $200
Renewal: 1-day contractor/supervisor refresher course annually. Renewal fee: $200/year.
Who needs this: On-site supervisors of abatement projects. Every licensed asbestos abatement contractor must have at least one certified AHAS on staff.
Note: If you previously took the 4-day worker course, you must complete the full 5-day contractor/supervisor course to obtain AHAS certification. You cannot supplement the worker course with additional days.
Asbestos Hazard Abatement Worker (AHAW)
What it authorizes: Performing asbestos removal, renovation, enclosure, repair, or encapsulation of friable ACM in a non-supervisory capacity, for quantities greater than 50 linear feet or 50 square feet.
Training required: 4-day EPA-accredited asbestos worker initial course OR 5-day contractor/supervisor course.
Annual fee: $50
Renewal: 1-day worker refresher course annually (or contractor/supervisor refresher if you took the 5-day course). Renewal fee: $50/year.
Exam: Workers must pass an approved examination with a score of at least 70%.
Who needs this: Anyone performing hands-on asbestos removal or abatement work who is not in a supervisory role.
Asbestos Hazard Abatement Project Designer
What it authorizes: Determining work scope, work sequence, and performance standards for asbestos hazard abatement activities.
Training required: 3-day EPA-accredited project designer initial course.
Annual fee: $200
Renewal: 1-day project designer refresher course annually. Renewal fee: $200/year.
Who needs this: Individuals who design abatement project specifications. Note: A project designer certification does not authorize the individual to perform the services of a registered architect or professional engineer unless separately licensed under Ohio law.
Asbestos Hazard Abatement Air Monitoring Technician
What it authorizes: Performing environmental monitoring and clearance air sampling during asbestos abatement projects.
Training required: Air monitoring technician training course approved by the Ohio EPA Director.
Annual fee: $100
Renewal: Annual refresher training. Renewal fee: $100/year.
Who needs this: Individuals who perform air monitoring during abatement but who do not hold AHES certification. Note that a certified AHES or a Certified Industrial Hygienist (CIH) can also perform air monitoring without this separate certification.
Contractor License
Asbestos Hazard Abatement Contractor License
What it authorizes: A business entity or public entity to perform asbestos hazard abatement projects (removal, renovation, enclosure, repair, or encapsulation of friable ACM in quantities greater than 50 linear feet or 50 square feet).
Requirements:
- At least one employee must be a certified AHAS
- Maintain a worker protection program consistent with OSHA 29 CFR 1926.1101 (business entities) or EPA Worker Protection Rule 40 CFR 763 Subpart G (public entities)
- Be registered with the Ohio Secretary of State as doing business in Ohio
- Have access to at least one Ohio EPA-approved asbestos disposal site
- Demonstrate sufficient qualification through reliability, work practices, and prior experience
Annual fee: $750
Renewal: $750/year, plus proof of at least one AHAS employee and a list of projects completed within the last 12 months.
Non-Friable ACM Removal (No Contractor License Required)
Removal of non-friable ACM (such as roofing materials) that is conducted in compliance with NESHAP and OSHA requirements does not require an asbestos hazard abatement contractor license. However, workers must still have appropriate training under OSHA 29 CFR 1926.1101. Specifically, intact removal of roofing materials using methods that do not render the material friable (such as a rotating blade roof cutter) is exempt from OAC 3745-22 contractor licensing.
Application Process
Online (Recommended)
- Go to the Ohio EPA eBusiness Center
- Create an account or log in
- Navigate to Asbestos Services
- Complete the application and upload required documents (training certificates, photo, etc.)
- Pay the fee online
Online application instructions are available for individual certifications (PDF) and contractor licensing (PDF).
Paper Application
Download the Asbestos Certification Application (PDF) or the Contractor Licensure Application (PDF) from Ohio EPA’s website. Submit the completed form with all required documents and fee by mail.
Required Submittals (Individual Certification)
- Completed application form
- Current color passport-type photograph
- Copy of initial or most recent refresher training certificate
- Application fee
- List of any asbestos certifications held in other states
- Information regarding any felony convictions under environmental protection laws
Fee Summary
| Certification/License | Annual Fee | Replacement Fee |
|---|---|---|
| Asbestos Hazard Evaluation Specialist (AHES) | $200 | $50 |
| Asbestos Hazard Abatement Specialist (AHAS) | $200 | $50 |
| Asbestos Hazard Abatement Worker (AHAW) | $50 | $20 |
| Asbestos Hazard Abatement Project Designer | $200 | $50 |
| Air Monitoring Technician | $100 | $30 |
| Contractor License | $750 | $200 |
Resources
- Ohio EPA Asbestos Certification & Licensing - Official page with application links
- OAC 3745-22 - Full certification and licensing rules
- Ohio EPA eBusiness Center - Online application portal
- Ohio Asbestos Regulations Overview - How certification fits into the broader regulatory framework
Frequently Asked Questions
Who issues asbestos certifications in Ohio?
Ohio EPA's Division of Air Pollution Control (DAPC) issues all individual asbestos certifications and contractor licenses under OAC 3745-22. Applications are submitted through Ohio EPA's eBusiness Center or by paper form. Contact: asbestoslicensing@epa.ohio.gov or 614.644.0226.
How long does it take to get certified?
Ohio EPA must issue or deny a certification within 60 calendar days of receiving a completed application with all required documents. In practice, processing may be faster. You cannot perform regulated asbestos work until your certification is issued.
How often do I need to renew?
All individual certifications and contractor licenses expire one year after issuance. Renewal requires completion of the applicable annual refresher training course and submission of a renewal application with the fee. Do not let your certification lapse - there is no grace period for expired certifications.
What certification do I need to perform asbestos inspections and sampling?
You need an Asbestos Hazard Evaluation Specialist (AHES) certification. This requires completing both a 3-day EPA-accredited building inspector course and a 2-day management planner course. The annual fee is $200. An AHES can inspect, sample, assess ACM, prepare management plans, and perform air monitoring.
Can I supervise abatement work with just a worker certification?
No. Supervising abatement activities requires an Asbestos Hazard Abatement Specialist (AHAS) certification, which requires the 5-day contractor/supervisor course. Workers (AHAW) can only perform abatement in a non-supervisory capacity. If you took the 4-day worker course initially, you must complete the full 5-day contractor/supervisor course to upgrade - you cannot just take the difference.